{"id":56800,"date":"2023-01-10T08:54:26","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T13:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.javelin-tech.com\/blog\/?p=56800"},"modified":"2026-05-06T18:50:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T22:50:50","slug":"solidworks-cannot-connect-to-license-server-error","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.javelin-tech.com\/blog\/2023\/01\/solidworks-cannot-connect-to-license-server-error\/","title":{"rendered":"How to fix “SOLIDWORKS cannot connect to license server” error"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve just set up the SolidNetWork License (SNL) manager and you see the licenses available on the server, but the client machine fails to obtain the license when opening the product. You see an error message “SOLIDWORKS cannot connect to license server” that looks like the one below or a similar variation.<\/p>\n

\"SOLIDWORKS

Why SOLIDWORKS cannot connect to license server<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve confirmed that the SNL manager is the same version year on both the server and client machines, then the problem may be coming from the Windows firewall<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The SNL manager communicates across ports 25734 and 25735 to ensure that SOLIDWORKS products can obtain a license. Sometimes your Windows firewall may be blocking communication across these ports, so the solution is as easy as adding an inbound and outbound port exception.<\/p>\n

Most of the time, setting up port exceptions from the server machine will be enough, however, there are times when the steps may need to be done on the client side as well. It is never a bad idea to set up these port exceptions, but to test whether the firewall may be the issue before setting up the exceptions you can try disabling your firewall to see if that makes a difference.<\/p>\n

If the problem is resolved when disabling the firewall then setting up the port exceptions should resolve the issue, turn the firewall back on and set up the port exceptions. If the problem persists with the firewall disabled then the communication may be blocked by something outside of the firewall.<\/p>\n

Users can follow the steps below to set up an inbound and outbound port exception<\/strong> to unblock the SNL manager from the Windows firewall.<\/p>\n

Setting up port exceptions for the SNL<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. On the server machine, select Start menu and search for Windows Defender Firewall.\n

    \"Windows

  2. In the left pane, select the “Advance settings” link.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Windows

      \n
    1. Select “Inbound Rules” and choose “New Rule.”\n

      \"Inbound

    2. Select “Port” and click the “Next” button.\n

      \"New

    3. Make sure “TCP” is selected. Then, type \u201c25734, 25735\u201d (without quotation marks) for the “Specific local ports” field and click the “Next” button.\n

      \"Specific

    4. Select “Allow the connection” and then click the “Next” button.\n

      \"Action

    5. Select the desired profile to apply the exception. (Select all the profiles if unsure.)\n

      \"Choose

    6. Enter a name for the rule and click on the “Finish” button.\n

      \"Final

    7. Repeat steps 3-8 for Outbound Rules as well<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Additional ports to consider adding for other products can be found here:<\/p>\n