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Soft-eLicenser (virtual license container) is missing

  • Licenses for many Steinberg programs are stored in the so called Soft-eLicenser, a virtual license container on the hard disk.
  • Each Soft-eLicenser has a unique number which is required for the software registration and license activation. 
  • The Soft-eLicenser is represented by a hard disk symbol in the eLicenser Control Center - the license managing tool used by all Steinberg programs.
  • The eLicenser Control Center can be found under Applications (Mac) resp. Programs (Windows). 

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Problem: missing Soft-eLicenser

In rare cases, the Soft-eLicenser cannot be created during the installation. If the Soft-eLicenser is missing the activation code needed for the permanent activation of the program cannot be requested. Downloading licenses is also not possible without a Soft-eLicenser (unless a USB-eLicenser is connected).

Solution

The utility 'eLC Installation Helper' available below reinstalls the eLicenser Control Center while making sure that the needed and unique Soft-eLicenser will be created.

Please follow these instructions:

macOS / Mac OS X / OS X

In case you use Sequel LE 2, WaveLab LE 7 or the trial versions (demo) of Cubase Elements, please first uninstall the program by dragging it from the Applications folder to the Trash. Afterwards, proceed as follows and, finally, reinstall the program.

  • Close all programs.
  • Uninstall the program you want to activate by moving it from the Applications folder to the Trash.
  • Download the eLC Installation Helper for OS X 10.9 - 10.11 and macOS 10.12 or later.
    Older versions: OS X 10.8 |     Mac OS X 10.7 | Mac OS X 10.6
  • Important: Only use the special installer if you cannot proceed the activation due to a missing Soft-eLicenser or a non-unique Soft-eLicenser number! The eLC Installation Helper will delete an existing Soft-eLicenser and all contained licenses without recall!
  • Mount the downloaded disk image by double-clicking on it.
  • To start the eLC Installation Helper, right-click on it and select 'Open' from the contextual menu.
    Depending on your macOS version, it might be even necessary to do this twice.
  • Click on 'Reinstall' and enter your password.

Next time you start the eLicenser Control Center the newly created Soft-eLicenser will be displayed.

Windows 

In case you use Sequel LE 2, WaveLab LE 7 or the trial versions (demo) of Cubase Elements, please first uninstall the program via the Control Panel of Windows. (Windows XP: Add or Remove Programs - later Windows versions: Programs and Features) Afterwards, proceed as follows and, finally, reinstall the program.

  • Important! Only use the eLC Installation Helper if you cannot proceed the activation due to a missing Soft-eLicenser or a non-unique Soft-eLicenser number! The eLC Installation Helper will delete an existing Soft-eLicenser and all contained licenses without recall!
  • Double-click on the downloaded file to start the reinstallation of the eLicenser Control Center.
  • Please note that the eLC Installation Helper can only be executed if your Windows user account has administrative rights! If you are logged in to a Windows user account with limited rights you will be promted to provide an administrator's username and password.

Next time you start the eLicenser Control Center the newly created Soft-eLicenser will be displayed.

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