Etabs License Not Recognized Error 120 -

The most frequent cause of Error 120 is Windows Security blocking the ETABS.exe file from verifying the license.

| Component | Details | |-----------|---------| | Operating System | [e.g., Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit] | | ETABS Version | [e.g., v19.0.0, v20.1.0] | | License Type | [Local / Network Concurrent / USB Hardware Key] | | License Manager (if network) | [e.g., CSi License Manager vX.X] | | Network Connectivity | [Local / VPN / Remote Desktop] | | Antivirus / Firewall | [e.g., Windows Defender, McAfee] |

Security software often mistakes the CSI License Manager for a threat because it listens for network traffic.

ETABS Error 120 is a nuisance, but it is rarely fatal to your project. In 90% of cases, the issue is a firewall blocking the handshake or a service that needs a restart. etabs license not recognized error 120

If you have tried all the steps above and are still seeing "License Not Recognized," it is likely a hardware ID mismatch or a license borrowing issue. In that case, contacting CSI Support directly with your User ID and Locking Code is the best path forward.

Did these solutions work for you? Let us know in the comments below!

Summary: ETABS error 120 ("License not recognized") indicates the software cannot detect or validate a valid license. Below is a concise diagnostic checklist, step-by-step fixes (ordered by likelihood), verification steps, and an escalation/log template you can use when contacting support. The most frequent cause of Error 120 is

If versions match, your license file might be corrupt. Get a fresh copy.

Pro tip: Never edit trusted.lic in Microsoft Word. Use Notepad. Word adds hidden formatting that breaks the license.

Based on user reports and CSI documentation, the following steps resolve the issue in most cases: Security software often mistakes the CSI License Manager

| Step | Action | |------|--------| | 1 | Restart the CSI License Manager on the server (via Services > CSI License Manager). | | 2 | Verify the license file – Ensure lservrc is in the correct folder (usually C:\Program Files\Common Files\CSI\Licenses\). | | 3 | Check network connectivity – From the client PC, ping the license server and telnet to port 27000. | | 4 | Update LMServer – Download the latest License Manager from CSI’s website. | | 5 | Reconfigure license path – In ETABS, go to Help > License > Configure, and specify the correct server or local file. | | 6 | Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus – Test if the error disappears; if so, add an exception for lmgrd.exe and ETABS.exe. |