# License Activation Issues If you're having trouble activating your license, this guide covers all common scenarios and solutions. --- ## Trial vs Full License | Feature | Trial Mode | Full License | | ---------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | | All features available | Yes | Yes | | Session time limit | 15 minutes per session | Unlimited | | Sessions per day | Unlimited | Unlimited | | License key required | No | Yes | | Internet required | No | For initial activation and periodic verification | Trial mode is a great way to test DR Sim Manager with your hardware before purchasing. Each trial session lasts 15 minutes with all features available. When the session expires, the application closes — you can relaunch at any time to start another 15-minute session. --- ## Common Activation Problems ### "Invalid license key" error - Double-check that you entered the key exactly as received, in the format: `DRSM-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX`. - Make sure there are no extra spaces before or after the key. - Verify that the email address matches the one used when purchasing the license. - Check that you haven't accidentally swapped similar-looking characters (e.g., letter O vs. number 0, letter I vs. number 1). - If you received your key by email, try copying and pasting it directly rather than typing it manually. ### "Machine limit reached" error Your license can be activated on up to **2 machines** at a time. If you've reached the limit, the activation dialog will offer to **automatically deactivate your oldest machine** so you can activate on your current one. You can also manually manage your machines: 1. Right-click any dock or window title bar. 2. Select **Manage License…** 3. View your active machines and click **Deactivate** next to any machine you no longer use. > **caution** After deactivating a machine, there is a **24-hour cooldown** before that machine can be reactivated. **Common scenarios for hitting the machine limit:** - You reinstalled Windows or made a major hardware change (new motherboard) — the system sees this as a new machine. - You activated on a friend's PC to test and forgot to deactivate. - You have both a desktop and a laptop and want to add a third machine. ### "License expired" message This means the periodic online license verification has failed because your machine has been offline for more than **30 days**. DR Sim Manager works fully offline for up to 30 days after the last successful verification. **How to fix:** Simply connect to the internet and launch DR Sim Manager. Your license will refresh automatically. No re-entry of your license key is needed. ### "License invalid" error This can occur if: - The license file on your machine is corrupted. - Your license has been revoked (e.g., due to a chargeback or refund). - There's a mismatch between the stored license data and the server. **How to fix:** 1. Navigate to `C:\Users\\AppData\Local\DRSimManager`. 2. Delete the license file (`drsm.lic`). 3. Relaunch DR Sim Manager. 4. Re-enter your license key and email in the activation dialog. 5. If the error persists, contact support — your license may need to be reissued. ### "Needs activation" / Activation dialog keeps appearing If the activation dialog appears every time you launch, even after successfully activating: - The license file may not be saving correctly. Check that your antivirus isn't blocking write access to `C:\Users\\AppData\Local\DRSimManager\`. - Add the DRSimManager data folder as an exclusion in your antivirus. - Make sure you have write permissions to the folder. --- ## Internet Connection Requirements - **Initial activation**: Requires internet to verify and activate your license key. - **Periodic verification**: DR Sim Manager contacts the license server periodically to verify your license. This happens automatically in the background. - **Offline grace period**: The app works fully offline for up to **30 days** after the last successful verification. After 30 days offline, you'll need to connect to the internet. - **Corporate firewalls/VPNs**: If you're behind a corporate firewall or VPN, make sure outbound HTTPS connections are allowed. DR Sim Manager communicates with its license server over standard HTTPS (port 443). --- ## Machine Limit and Management Your license supports activation on up to **2 machines** simultaneously. Here's how to manage them: ### Viewing Your Active Machines 1. Right-click any dock or window title bar in DR Sim Manager. 2. Select **Manage License…** 3. You'll see a list of your active machines. ### Deactivating a Machine From the **Manage License** screen, click **Deactivate** next to the machine you want to remove. This frees up a slot for a new machine. ### Automatic Deactivation When you try to activate on a new machine and you've reached the limit, the activation dialog offers to **automatically deactivate your oldest machine**. This is the quickest way to move your license to new hardware. ### Hardware Changes If you make significant hardware changes (like replacing your motherboard), your machine may be seen as a new device. In this case: - Try activating normally — if you have a free slot, it will activate on the "new" machine. - If the limit is reached, use the automatic deactivation option to remove the old machine identity. --- ## Using Trial Mode If you can't resolve an activation issue immediately, you can still use DR Sim Manager in **trial mode**: 1. Launch DR Sim Manager. 2. When the activation dialog appears, click **Continue Trial**. 3. Each trial session lasts **15 minutes** with all features available. 4. When the session expires, the application closes. 5. Relaunch to start another 15-minute session — there's no limit on the number of trial sessions. --- ## Purchasing a License If you don't have a license key yet: 1. Visit [departedreality.com](https://departedreality.com/products/dr-sim-manager-license) to purchase a license. 2. You'll receive your license key by email after purchase. 3. Enter it in DR Sim Manager's activation dialog. You can also click **Purchase a License** from the activation dialog in DR Sim Manager, which opens the purchase page in your browser. --- ## Contact Support If none of the above solutions resolve your issue, contact support: - **Email**: info@departedreality.com - **Discord**: [Departed Reality Discord](https://discord.gg/skn2HzpbQy) When contacting support, please include: - Your license key (or the first 8 characters if you prefer not to share the full key) - The exact error message you're seeing - Your operating system version - Any relevant log entries (see [DR Sim Manager Won't Start Anymore](dr-sim-manager-wont-start-anymore.md#how-to-check-logs) for log file location) For full details on licensing, see [Licensing & Activation](../licensing.md).