# License errors

Interactive [license activation](./activating-license.md) errors appear in the license prompt. Background license-sync error text is not shown in the prompt or **Settings** > **Account**; Solo separately displays any license state that requires action.

## Quick checks

- Make sure the license key was copied exactly. Solo trims surrounding spaces before submitting it.
- Network access to `https://soloterm.com` is available.
- System date and time are correct.

## Common states

- **Invalid license key** — the server rejected the key.
- **Device limit exceeded** — the key is already active on too many devices.
- **Validation required** — Solo has a stored license, but it needs a successful server check-in before it can continue. This can happen when the stored license has never successfully checked in or after the device exceeds its current offline grace period.
- **License expired** — the license expiry date has passed. Solo can continue within [free limits](./free-tier.md), and the license dialog can be dismissed.
- **Network error** — Solo could not reach the license server.

## Working offline

Licensed devices don't need a constant connection. After a successful check-in, the license works offline for its current grace period. The default is 14 days, but the license server may supply a different period.

Solo checks in with the license server in the background whenever it launches with a network connection, and it refreshes validation automatically during continued use. After a successfully checked-in device exceeds its current offline grace period (14 days by default), Solo shows **Validation required** until a check-in succeeds. Connect to the internet and re-enter the key in the already-open **Validation required** prompt; if needed, reopen the prompt with **Activate license** in the title bar.

## Retrying

Open **Settings** > **Account** to check the current license state and, when Solo is unlicensed, retry activation. By default, `Cmd/Ctrl+,` opens Settings; you can change this shortcut in **Settings** > **Hotkeys**. You can also reopen the license prompt from the title bar.

If it still fails, [send feedback](../troubleshooting/reporting-issues.md) with the exact error text and your Solo version from **Settings** > **Account**.

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Are you a human? Read this doc on the web: https://soloterm.com/docs/account/license-errors