# Activation failed: “Operation failed”, “Activation code is invalid” and other activation errors

Source: [https://docs.virtosoftware.com/docs/virto-license-manager/product-activation/activation-errors/](https://docs.virtosoftware.com/docs/virto-license-manager/product-activation/activation-errors/)
Product: Virto License Manager
Updated: 2026-10-29


When an activation does not go through, the product registration page in Central Administration shows a red **Operation failed** line. Under it, after **Activation:**, it shows the reason.

## First, update Web License Manager

Web License Manager 3.2.9 (October 2026) fixed two activation problems: the registration page could not be opened and showed "Sorry, something went wrong", and a failed activation showed "Parameter count mismatch" instead of the reason. If you see either, install the current Web License Manager first. See [Installing and updating the License Manager](https://docs.virtosoftware.com/docs/virto-license-manager/installing-and-updating-the-license-manager/index.md).

## Online activation fails

Online activation sends your serial number to the VirtoSoftware activation service. It fails when the server has no Internet access, or when a proxy or firewall blocks the request. The page then suggests the offline activation, which works without Internet access on the server:

1. On the product registration page, click **Or click here for offline activation**. The page shows the **Machine code**.
2. On any computer with Internet access, open [https://www.virtosoftware.com/offline-activation/](https://www.virtosoftware.com/offline-activation/), enter the serial number and the machine code and get the activation code.
3. Paste the activation code, enter the serial number and click **Activate offline**.

See [Offline product activation](https://docs.virtosoftware.com/docs/virto-license-manager/product-activation/offline-product-activation/index.md).

## The messages

| Message | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Please fill in the following fields: Serial number (must start with …) | The serial number is for another product or another SharePoint version than the package installed on the farm. For example, the Virto Kanban Board package for SharePoint 2019 accepts only keys that start with `KTM519S-` or `KTM519D-`, so a key issued for Subscription Edition is refused. | Check that the installed package matches your SharePoint version (2016, 2019 or Subscription Edition) and that the key was issued for that version. If they differ, install the package for your version or ask [support@virtosoftware.com](mailto:support@virtosoftware.com) for the matching key. |
| Already activated (on the offline activation page) | The serial number is already activated for another machine code, and the activation service does not allow it on a new one. This happens after a server was rebuilt, moved or replaced, and when a second server is activated with the same key. | Send the serial number and the machine code shown on the registration page to [support@virtosoftware.com](mailto:support@virtosoftware.com). Support resets the activation; then get the activation code again. |
| Activation code is invalid | The activation code does not match this serial number and this server's machine code. | Get a new code for the machine code that the page shows now. Each server has its own machine code, so a code made for another server does not work. |
| License not found. | The product has no license on the selected server yet. | Activate it with your serial number. |
| The selected server was not found in the farm. | The server in **Available servers** is no longer part of the farm. | Reload the page and select a server of the current farm. Licenses are activated on Web Front End servers. |
| Unlocked, but the activation period expired on {date}; the product has stopped working. Complete the activation. | The serial number was entered, but the activation was never completed on this server. | Complete the activation online or offline as above. |
| The license was applied, but the SharePoint Timer Service on {server} could not be restarted | The activation worked. | Restart the SharePoint Timer Service on that server yourself, so the timer jobs use the new license. |

## After a server is rebuilt, moved or replaced

The machine code is calculated from the server's hardware. When a Web Front End server is rebuilt, moved to another virtual host or replaced, it gets a new machine code, and the product has to be activated again on it.

- If the old server still runs, open the product registration page, select the old server and click **Deactivate**, then activate the serial number on the new server.
- If the old server is gone, or the offline activation page answers "Already activated", send the serial number, the product name and the new server's machine code to [support@virtosoftware.com](mailto:support@virtosoftware.com). Support resets the activation, and you get the activation code again.

One serial number is activated on one server. If the same key is active on two servers, Virto products show a duplicate activation warning; see [License messages in Virto products](https://docs.virtosoftware.com/docs/virto-license-manager/license-messages-in-virto-products/index.md).

## Moving to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition

A new farm has new servers and new machine codes, and a license is issued for one SharePoint version. While your updates and support are active, moving a license to another SharePoint version costs 25 % of the full license price; after support has ended, a new license is needed (see the Sales FAQ on the [pricing page](https://www.virtosoftware.com/pricing/)). Write to [support@virtosoftware.com](mailto:support@virtosoftware.com) with your serial numbers, then activate the new keys on the Subscription Edition farm as described above.

## Related pages

- [Product Activation](https://docs.virtosoftware.com/docs/virto-license-manager/product-activation/index.md)
- [License Manager status and site license health](https://docs.virtosoftware.com/docs/virto-license-manager/license-manager-status-and-site-license-health/index.md)