Fixing SolidWorks License Error 5: No Feature Available

Fixing SolidWorks License Error 5: No Feature Available

License Error 5 in SolidWorks is one of those issues that can bring an entire engineering team to a standstill. I've dealt with it more times than I can count — usually right before a deadline, when someone desperately needs to open a model. The error means the SolidWorks Network License (SNL) server received the license request but couldn't match it to any feature in its loaded license file. Let me walk you through every cause I've encountered, from the most common to the obscure ones that had me pulling my hair out.

Understanding the Error Message

The full error dialog typically reads:

SolidWorks 2026 was unable to acquire a license.
License error 5: "No such feature exists."
Feature: sw_d_2026
Server: 25734@license-server

The key diagnostic information is:

• Feature code (sw_d_2026): The specific product and version the client is requesting
• Server address (25734@license-server): The port and hostname of the SNL server

The error means the server is reachable (otherwise you would see Error -15 or -96), but the license file on the server does not contain a feature matching sw_d_2026.

Step 1: Verify the License Server Is Running

On the license server, open the SolidNet License Manager (typically at C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidNet License Manager\swlmutil.exe).

Alternatively, use the command line:

"C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidNet License Manager\lmutil.exe" lmstat -a -c "C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidNet License Manager\licenses\sw_d.opt"

Check the output for:

• Server status: "UP" — if "DOWN", the lmgrd service is not running
• Vendor daemon status: sw_d should show "UP" — if "DOWN", the vendor daemon crashed
• Feature list: Verify that sw_d_2026 appears in the feature list

If the vendor daemon is down, restart it:

1. Open Services.msc on the license server.
2. Locate "SolidWorks SolidNet License Manager."
3. Right-click and select "Restart."
4. Wait 30 seconds, then re-run the lmstat command.

Step 2: Check the License File Feature Codes

The license file (sw_d.opt or .lic) must contain a feature line matching the version the client is requesting. Open the license file in a text editor:

C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidNet License Manager\licenses\sw_d.opt

Look for INCREMENT or FEATURE lines:

INCREMENT sw_d_2026 solidworks 31.0 permanent 10 \
  VENDOR_STRING="SolidWorks 2026" \
  HOSTID=ANY SN=1234567890

Version Mismatch

The most common cause of Error 5 is a version mismatch. If the license file contains sw_d_2025 but the client is running SolidWorks 2026, the feature code sw_d_2026 does not exist on the server.

Solution: Update the license file through the SolidWorks Customer Portal:

1. Go to https://customerportal.solidworks.com
2. Log in with your SOLIDWORKS ID.
3. Navigate to "My Products" > "License Administration."
4. Download the updated license file for your current subscription.
5. Replace the license file on the server.
6. Restart the SNL service.

Subscription Expiry

If your subscription has expired, the license file may contain features for older versions only. SolidWorks does not issue new feature codes for expired subscriptions. Check your subscription status in the Customer Portal.

Step 3: Verify Firewall Port Configuration

The SNL server uses two TCP ports:

• lmgrd port (default: 25734): The main license manager port
• sw_d port (dynamic): The vendor daemon port, which can change on each restart

If the firewall blocks the vendor daemon port, the client can reach lmgrd but cannot communicate with sw_d, resulting in Error 5.

Fix the Vendor Daemon Port

1. Open the license file in a text editor.

2. Locate the VENDOR line:

   VENDOR sw_d
   

3. Append a fixed port:

   VENDOR sw_d port=25735
   

4. Save the file and restart the SNL service.

5. On the license server, open Windows Firewall:

   • Add an inbound rule for TCP port 25734 (lmgrd)
   • Add an inbound rule for TCP port 25735 (sw_d)
   • Allow these ports for all profiles (Domain, Private, Public)

6. On the client machine, verify connectivity:

   telnet license-server 25734
   telnet license-server 25735
   

   Both should connect successfully. If telnet is not available, use PowerShell:

   Test-NetConnection -ComputerName license-server -Port 25734
   Test-NetConnection -ComputerName license-server -Port 25735
   

Step 4: Check Client-Side Environment Variables

SolidWorks clients locate the license server through registry entries or environment variables. If the client points to the wrong server or port, it will receive Error 5 from whatever server it reaches.

Registry Check

Open Registry Editor on the client and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\FLEXlm License Manager

Look for the SW_D_LICENSE_FILE value. It should contain:

25734@license-server

If the value points to a different server or port, update it to match the SNL server configuration.

Environment Variable Check

Open a command prompt and type:

echo %SW_D_LICENSE_FILE%

If this returns a value, it overrides the registry. To remove the environment variable:

1. Right-click "This PC" > Properties > Advanced system settings.
2. Click "Environment Variables."
3. Look for SW_D_LICENSE_FILE in both User and System variables.
4. Delete it if it points to the wrong server.

SolidWorks Installation Options

During SolidWorks installation, the license server is specified in the Installation Manager. If the server address was entered incorrectly:

1. Open the SolidWorks Installation Manager.
2. Select "Modify the individual installation."
3. On the License Agreement page, check the "Server" field.
4. Ensure it reads 25734@license-server (with the correct port and hostname).

Step 5: Check the Options File for EXCLUDE Directives

If the options file on the license server contains an EXCLUDE directive for the requesting user, the server denies the checkout with Error 5 rather than a more descriptive "Access denied" message.

1. On the license server, open:

   C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidNet License Manager\licenses\sw_d.opt
   

2. Search for EXCLUDE lines:

   EXCLUDE sw_d_2026 USER jdoe
   EXCLUDE sw_d_2026 GROUP Contractors
   

3. If the affected user or their group is listed, remove or comment out the line.
4. Restart the SNL service.

Step 6: Verify the License File Is Not Corrupted

A corrupted license file can cause the FLEXlm parser to skip feature lines, resulting in missing features.

1. Open the license file in a text editor.
2. Check for:
   • Lines that are split incorrectly (a backslash \ must be the last character on a continuation line)
   • Missing INCREMENT or FEATURE keywords
   • Binary characters or encoding issues (the file must be plain ASCII or UTF-8 without BOM)
3. Compare the file against the original downloaded from the Customer Portal.
4. If corruption is suspected, re-download and replace the file.

Step 7: Check for Multiple License Files

If multiple .lic or .opt files exist in the license manager directory, FLEXlm may load the wrong one.

1. Navigate to:

   C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidNet License Manager\licenses\
   

2. Ensure only one license file is present. If multiple files exist, move the extras to a backup directory.
3. In the SolidNet License Manager admin tool, verify the "License file" path points to the correct file.

Step 8: Test with a Clean Client Configuration

To isolate whether the issue is server-side or client-side:

1. On a different client machine (or a clean VM), install the SolidWorks License Client only.
2. Configure it to point to the SNL server.
3. Attempt to launch SolidWorks.

If the clean client succeeds, the problem is in the original client's configuration (registry, environment variables, or local license files). If the clean client also fails, the problem is on the server.

Diagnostic Summary Checklist

| Check | Command/Action | Expected Result | |---|---|---| | Server running | lmstat -a | Server UP, sw_d UP | | Feature exists | Check license file | sw_d_2026 present | | Firewall ports | Test-NetConnection | Both 25734 and 25735 connect | | Client registry | reg query | 25734@license-server | | Options file | Check for EXCLUDE | User not excluded | | License file valid | Compare with original | No corruption | | Single license file | Check directory | Only one .lic file |

When to Contact SolidWorks Support

If all eight steps have been completed and Error 5 persists, the issue may involve:

• A corrupted server installation requiring a clean reinstall of the SNL Manager
• A bug in the specific SolidWorks version's license client
• An expired or incorrectly generated serial number

Contact SolidWorks support through https://customerportal.solidworks.com and provide:

• The lmstat -a output from the server
• The license file (with serial numbers redacted)
• The client's sw_d_2026 error dialog screenshot
• The exact SolidWorks version and service pack