Sometimes when you try to login to CPanel, you will see the following error:
Content-type: text/plain The Cpanel Key Server said returned 500
Request Denied - No
license entry found for your machine (IP
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx)! X-DES-KEY: generate error Invalid Lisc File
The following will help you to determine where the issue actually is:
1. Is the license really expired?
This is very easy to verify. Visit http://verify.cpanel.net/ and input your server’s ip for verification.
2. Is the server’s hostname a fully qualified domain name?
root@box [~]# host `hostname`
box.theplanet.com has address 10.0.0.142
The hostname should be formated properly, such as “server.domain.com”. There have been known
cases where having an invalid hostname has caused license errors.
3. Does cpkeyclt report a problem?
Run the following command:
/usr/local/cpanel/cpkeyclt
This should promptly return the command line with no error messages. If it
takes longer than 5 seconds,
then there is probably a connectivity issue between your server and the cpanel licensing server.
4. Is there a firewall blocking connections to the licensing server?
Out going tcp connections to port 2089 need to be open, with all
established and related traffic being allowed
through the firewall
(also known as a stateful connection). If you are unsure of your firewall’s configuration,
turn it off and try to run the above command again. If it completes succesfully, then your firewall is to blame.
5. Is the license IP address bound directly to the interface(main ip of the machine) and not an IP alias?
This has been known to cause problems on multiple machines. Please insure that the IP licensed is the main IP
address of your server. Also, please verify that the netmask is set correctly for both your main IP address, as well
as any IP aliases you have on the server.
1. Is the license really expired?
This is very easy to verify. Visit http://verify.cpanel.net/ and input your server’s ip for verification.
2. Is the server’s hostname a fully qualified domain name?
root@box [~]# host `hostname`
box.theplanet.com has address 10.0.0.142
The hostname should be formated properly, such as “server.domain.com”. There have been known
cases where having an invalid hostname has caused license errors.
3. Does cpkeyclt report a problem?
Run the following command:
/usr/local/cpanel/cpkeyclt
This should promptly return the command line with no error messages. If it
takes longer than 5 seconds,
then there is probably a connectivity issue between your server and the cpanel licensing server.
4. Is there a firewall blocking connections to the licensing server?
Out going tcp connections to port 2089 need to be open, with all
established and related traffic being allowed
through the firewall
(also known as a stateful connection). If you are unsure of your firewall’s configuration,
turn it off and try to run the above command again. If it completes succesfully, then your firewall is to blame.
5. Is the license IP address bound directly to the interface(main ip of the machine) and not an IP alias?
This has been known to cause problems on multiple machines. Please insure that the IP licensed is the main IP
address of your server. Also, please verify that the netmask is set correctly for both your main IP address, as well
as any IP aliases you have on the server.
The previous questions will normally resolve your license issue. If you are still receiving the Invalid License Error
when trying to login to CPanel, please login to WHM. There have been multiple cases of servers that required
frequent logins to WHM to keep the license current. If you are still having trouble with the license, please open
a new ticket in Orbit.