There are multiple reasons why you might be receiving this error:
- The product is not in the Network License Manager's license file
- If you are not using a network license, then the product is not in your local license file
- Formatting error within the license file on the Network License Manager
- If you are not using a network license, then there could be a formatting error in your local license file.
- Formatting error within the license file used by the client on network-based license
- The client is pointing to a different Network License Manager than intended
- If you are not using a network license, then you may not be using the license you are intending to use. If you are using multiple, make sure they are all setup correctly.
The product is not in the license file
This message usually indicates that you are trying to use a product for which you are not licensed. To verify if the product is licensed, you may inspect the license file (license.lic) located within your MATLAB installation to see if you are licensed to use this product. If you are using a network license, then you need to inspect the license file on the Network License Manager.
To determine where your license file is located, please refer to MATLAB Answer linked below.
Where can I find MATLAB license files?
If you only have a network.lic file, instead of a license.lic file, you are using a network license. In this case contact your license administrator to check the license.dat file on the License Manager server machine.
Formatting error within the license file on the Network License Manager
If you are licensed for this product, this error may be the result of formatting problems in your license file. In order to avoid this, ensure that the following strings all begin on a left justified line: #, SERVER, DAEMON, or INCREMENT. Sometimes an INCREMENT line can get wrapped on the end of the preceding INCREMENT line causing it to be omitted.
For Individual or Designated Computer licenses, you can also try to re-activate MATLAB to resolve the issue. That will automatically update the license file on your system.
Formatting error within the license file used by the client on network-based license
If the client on a network-based license is using a license file to point to the license server and that file is improperly formatted, then this can cause an error -5. If you're using a license.dat instead of network.lic, try using a network.lic instead. Additionally, make sure the SERVER information is correct, including the Host ID (likely MAC address.) If you're unsure how to make a network.lic from a license.dat file, see the MATLAB Answer linked below.
What does the format of the network.lic file look like?
A different license/Network License Manager than intended is being used
If the License Manager Error -5 appears in an UNSUPPORTED line in a License Manager Log file and the hash code quoted in log line does not match the hash from the INCREMENT line from the current license file on the server, the client machine either:
- Has an old license file on the MATLAB license path containing INCREMENT lines from a previous license. The old license file(s) should be removed.
- Has INCREMENT lines in the network.lic file. The affected user should remove all INCREMENT lines from the network.lic.
- Has an old MATLAB process running on their machine that was running while the license file on the server was updated. The user should kill the process to resolve the error.
