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"The License manager is not functioning or is improperly installed" with Autodesk 2020 software

Troubleshooting

Last modified on 31 October 2019

Issue:

After launching a 2020 Autodesk product the following error message is displayed:

License Error:

The License manager is not functioning or is improperly installed. AutoCAD will shut down now.

User-added image

Causes:

There are multiple potential causes for this behavior:
  • Licensing Service not updated.
  • Conflicting Display Adapter.
  • Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service nor running.
  • Corrupted Licensing Component.
  • Corrupted Autodesk Single Sign On Component.
  • Invalid registry settings.
  • Corrupted installation of the software.
  • A third party web browser protection may block the activation screen.
  • Antivirus conflicting or blocking the application.
  • Incorrect time.

Solution:

Troubleshoot the causes by proceeding with the following options one-by-one. Test the product after each option is complete:

Option 1: Update Autodesk Licensing Service

  1. Sign in to the Autodesk desktop app and install the Autodesk Licensing Service v9.2.2.2501 - Update.
Note: The update can also be downloaded from Autodesk Accounts portal,  Install Updates, Add-ons, and Enhancements, as well as from the following link:  Autodesk Licensing Service Update for 2020 product versions.
 
Note: Released: Aug 13, 2019.
  1. After installing the update, restart the system and test the product .

Option 2: Disable LogMeIn, and the display adapter (if installed)

  1. Press Windows+X to open the menu, and choose Device Manager. 
  2. Double-click on 'Display adapters' to expand the section. 
  3. If an adapter related to LogMeIn is used, right-click and disable it.
  4. Run Autodesk 2020 software.
  5. Press Windows+X to open the menu, and choose Task Manager. 
  6. On Processes tab, look for any tasks that reference LogMeIn (there may be several). 
  7. Right-click on tasks and select End task. 
  8. Run Autodesk 2020 software. 
Note: See also:  Error: "The License manager is not functioning or is improperly installed" on systems with LogMeIn installed.

Option 3: Verify that the Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service is running

  1. Click Start (or right-click Start on Windows 10) and choose "Run."
  2. In the Run box, type services.msc.
  3. In the Name column of the Services console window, find the Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service and check whether its status is Running.  
  4. Right-click on the Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service and select "Properties."
  5. In the Properties dialog, use the drop-down menu to change Startup Type to Automatic (Delayed Start) and click "OK."
  6. If Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service is not running click on "Start" to start the service.

Option 4: If the Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service fails to start

  1. Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AdskLicensing.
  2. Run uninstall.exe as admin (right-click > Run as administrator).
  3. Go to C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdskLicensingService and move files there in another folder.
  4. Reboot the computer.
  5. Temporarily disabled User Account Control in Windows and antivirus software.
  6. Install the Autodesk Licensing Service v9.2.2.2501 - Update.  
  7. If released, install subsequent updates for Autodesk Licensing Service, ether from Autodesk Desktop App or from Product Updates section of Autodesk account portal.
  8. Click the Start menu and type CMD.
  9. Right-click on "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator."
  10. In the Command Prompt, run the below command followed by ENTER:
cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AdskLicensing\Current\helper\

AdskLicensingInstHelper register -pk 001L1 -pv 2020.0.0.F -cf C:\Autodesk\AutoCAD_2020_English_win_64bit_dlm\Setup\AutoCADConfig.Pit -el US
Note: The example above takes 'AutoCAD 2020 - English US' as an example. Depending on the specific product, the --prod_key, --confi_file and --eula values may vary. Refer to  Autodesk Licensing Installer Helper tool guide for more information.

2020: Product keys for Autodesk products
  1. Run the software again and perform the Sign In if prompted.

Option 5: Update or reinstall the Autodesk Single Sign On Component

Autodesk Single Sign On Component Update for 2020 product versions
If for some reason you are not able to update Single Sign-on Component, reinstall it as follows:
  1. Navigate to Control Panel > Uninstall a program.
  2. Find the Autodesk Single Sign On Component and uninstall it.
  3. Navigate to the software installation media (e.g., for AutoCAD 2020 it would be C:\Autodesk\AutoCAD_2020_English_Win_64bit_dlm).
  4. Open the folder "\x64\AdSSO."
  5. Run the "AdSSO.msi" and let the installation complete.
Note: IDS_Tablet.dll is known to crash AdSSO.exe, so if Wacom Pen is installed, uninstall it from Control Panel.

Option 6: Verify that Common AppData string value key exists and has correct value in the system registry

  1. Open the command prompt (press Windows+R and type cmd then click OK).
  2. Type set ProgramData in the command prompt. Take note of the value (e.g. C:\ProgramData).
  3. Open the Registry Editor (press Windows+R and type regedit then click OK).
  4. Check if [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Shell Folders\Common AppData] exists. 
    • If the key does not exist, add Common AppData string value key with the value from step 2 (e.g. C:\ProgramData).
  5. In some cases, even the 64bit process registry may also be missing. Check if [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Common AppData] exits. 
    • If the key does not exist, add a Common AppData string value key with value from step 2 (e.g. C:\ProgramData).
  6. After making changes in the registry, reboot the system.

Option 7: If Autodesk 2020 version software was installed using Install Now method

  1. Uninstall Autodesk 2020 software from Windows Control Panel.
  2. Download the complete software installer from Autodesk accounts portal using Browser Download method.
  3. Install it using Recommended installation workflow for Autodesk Products.
    • To do a complete uninstall of Autodesk products, use the following guide: Perform a Clean Uninstall - Download & Install.

Option 8: If a third party Internet security application is installed

  1. If third party web browser protection (i.e. K9 web protection, ESET Internet Security) is installed, either disable or uninstall it temporarily. Try setting exceptions for:
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AdskLicensing\Current\AdskLicensingService\AdskLicensingService.exe
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AdskLicensing\Current\AdskLicensingAgent\AdskLicensingAgent.exe
  • C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Autodesk AdSSO\AdSSO.exe
  1. After successful un-installation, reboot the machine.

Option 9: Troubleshoot antivirus software

Search for the installed antivirus software online for navigation and customization processes. Approve the program so it is not blocked.


Option 10: Incorrect time

Windows 7/8
  • In the Start menu search field type "Date and Time" and press Enter, this should be bring the Date and Time control panel.
  • In the Date and Time dialog box, click the Internet Time tab.
  • Press the Change Settings button. Press the Continue button in the User Account Control dialog box (if it displays).
  • In the Internet Time Settings dialog, click the Server drop-down arrow and select another time server. The default is time.windows.com, try using time.nist.gov and see it works for you, or alternatively find one corresponding to your region on pool.ntp.org.
  • Press the Update now button after you entered one of the above to update your computer's clock, and test your computer.
  • Press the OK buttons close the dialog boxes.
Windows 10
  • In the Start menu search field type "Date and Time Settings" and press Enter, this should be bring the Date and Time control panel.
  • Make sure the options below are set to On.
    • Set time automatically.
    • Set time zone automatically.
    • Adjust for daylight saving time automatically


Source:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Error-The-License-manager-is-not-functioning-or-is-improperly-installed-with-ACAD-2020.html


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