Skip to main content
INTERNAL: English | Deutsch | Español | Français | Italiano Report article issue
  • eLicenser service closed down on May 20, 2025
    After years of managing your Steinberg software licenses, the eLicenser-based licensing service closed down.
    Read more...
  • This article refers to the eLicenser-based license management, which was discontinued on May 20, 2025. If your software uses Steinberg Licensing introduced in 2022, this article is not relevant for you.
  • Detailed information about the discontinuation of the eLicenser service can be found in this article.

USB-eLicenser help/FAQ (dongle, key)

Updated

uel.png

The USB-eLicenser is a compact USB key (dongle, formerly Steinberg Key) on which music software licenses from various manufacturers could be stored until the eLicenser service was discontinued on May 20, 2025. For licenses on a USB-eLicenser are independent of a specific computer, the corresponding software can be used on any computer to which the USB-eLicenser is connected. In principle, any number of licenses could be stored on a USB-eLicenser.

To use the licenses contained on a USB eLicenser, the eLicenser Control Center utility must be installed. Since the discontinuation of eLicenser technology, license provisioning is the only remaining function of the eLicenser Control Center. The latest version is available here.

Please keep in mind: Licenses stored on a USB-eLicenser represent the entire value of the corresponding software.

If still possible despite the discontinuation of eLicenser technology, make sure to register your products and/or the USB-eLicenser with the respective manufacturer, and keep in mind that losing a USB-eLicenser can mean losing the software.

USB-eLicenser troubleshooting

Here, you learn what to do if a USB-eLicenser is not recognized/displayed by the system or the eLicenser Control Center or if a license seems to be missing on the USB-eLicenser.

1. Updating the eLicenser Control Center

Most USB-eLicenser issues can be solved by installing the latest eLicenser Control Center, which also contains a USB-eLicenser driver update. The latest version for your operating system is available here.

After the installation has been completed, open the eLicenser Control Center and apply the 'Maintenance & Online Synchronization' by clicking on "Perform Maintenance Tasks" (or click on the 'Maintenance' button if not shown).

2. Reinstalling the eLicenser Control Center

If the USB-eLicenser still is not recognized or in case the installation fails, please reinstall the eLicenser Control Center thoroughly, following these steps:

  • Unplug the USB-eLicenser.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Uninstall the eLicenser Control Center.
    ▸ Windows, depending on the version: Control Panel > Programs and Features/Apps and Features or Apps > Installed apps
    ▸ Mac: The eLicenser Control Center installer contains an uninstaller, too.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Install the latest eLicenser Control Center.
  • Only after the installation of the eLicenser Control Center has been completed, re-connect the USB-eLicenser.
  • Windows: Wait for the driver to be installed.
  • Start the eLicenser Control Center (Applications/Programs).

3. Further troubleshooting steps

In case the thorough reinstallation didn't solve the problem, please follow these instructions:

  • Connect the USB-eLicenser to a different USB port. Try all ports on your machine. Ports on the rear often work more reliably.
    Windows: If it is the first time, a USB-eLicenser is connected to that port, the Windows Hardware Detection Wizard should come up. Do not cancel it. Instead, guide the Wizard to install the USB-eLicenser driver automatically.
  • Normally, it is best to connect a USB-eLicenser directly with the computer. However, certain difficulties can be solved by using a USB hub. Self-powered USB hubs (those with an own power supply) are usually the best choice. USB ports on keyboards tend to be less reliable, not least because they sometimes do not provide sufficient power.
  • Disconnect USB devices you don't need and/or uninstall drivers of unneeded devices.
  • On some computers, USB 2.0 ports work more reliable than USB 3.0 ports.
    Windows: Try if disabling USB 3.0 support (BIOS or UEFI settings) helps.
  • Verify if the USB-eLicenser is working on a different computer. Running a function test is easy: Simply install the eLicenser Control Center on a second machine and connect the USB-eLicenser. If the USB-eLicenser is being recognized on the alternative computer, it is a system-specific issue and not a USB-eLicenser failure.
  • On rare occasions, a manual uninstallation of eLicenser Control Centers might be necessary. A detailed explanation on how to remove eLicenser Control Center related files from your system can be found here.
  • Mainly Windows: Virus scanners, internet security programs and tweaking tools can interfere with the installation of the eLicenser software and drivers by blocking system folders and files. Please disable these applications during the installation.
  • Windows: Verify if a chipset driver update is available from the manufacturer of your motherboard/computer to make sure the USB controller works optimally with your operating system. If you are not sure where to find chipset driver updates for your computer, contact your dealer or the manufacturer of your computer, or take a look at the manual of the motherboard.
  • Windows: Running the eLicenser Control Center and/or a Steinberg application in Compatibility Mode can cause license issues. To check whether Compatibility Mode is enabled or not, right-click on the corresponding shortcut on the Desktop, select 'Properties' from the contextual menu and switch to the 'Compatibility' tab. Alternatively, you can also right-click on the application's *.exe file.
    These are the paths for the eLicenser Control Center:
    Windows 32-Bit: C:\Program Files\eLicenser\eLCC\eLCC.exe
    Windows 64-Bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\eLicenser\eLCC\eLCC.exe   
  • Windows: A note for users with NVIDIA nForce3 chipsets: Some old USB-eLicenser (key numbers are xxx 523 326 or lower) do not work with this specific chipset family. In these cases, the USB-eLicenser should be connected to a USB hub to avoid direct contact with the problematic chipset.

USB-eLicenser revisions

USB-eLicensers have been produced in four mutually compatible versions over more than two decades.

The first generation USB-eLicenser was introduced in April 2002. It was 6.7 centimeters long. When using this model, the licensed software may respond slightly slower.

It was replaced in mid-2003 by a 5.2 cm long version with a faster processor. On USB-eLicensers of the first two generations, the serial number is located on a small sticker on the circuit board.

usb-elicenser-generations.jpeg
The four generations of USB-eLicensers in chronological order from left to right.

The third USB-eLicenser revision came out in mid-2008. It is technically identical, only the housing is slightly darker colored. The fourth and final generation was in production from mid-2015 to 2024. With a length of 3.8 cm, this model is even more compact and therefore more solid.

The serial numbers of the last two generations can only be read via the eLicenser Control Center.

 

Related articles