Difference between revisions of "Licensing"

From WHMCS Documentation

(1. You purchased your license directly from us)
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==Moving WHMCS==
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When you move your WHMCS system, if the domain, IP address, or directory you use it in is changing, you must update your license.  
When you move your WHMCS system, if the domain, IP address, or directory you use it in is changing, you must update your license. The method to use depends on the license you have:
 
  
===1. You purchased your license directly from us===
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<div class="docs-alert-info">
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* For information on checking your license key information and forcing license updates, see [[License Information]].
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* For information on troubleshooting common licensing errors, see [[License Troubleshooting]].
 +
</div>
 +
 
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== Methods to Use ==
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The method to use to do this depends on your license type:
  
If you purchased your license from us directly, you can reissue your license from [https://www.whmcs.com/members our client area] without any manual intervention from us.  To do this, log in, go to Services > My Licenses, select your license key, and click '''Reissue''' under the Management Actions tab. Then, visit your WHMCS installation in the new location. The system will save the new valid access details.
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=== Purchased Directly from WHMCS ===
  
===2. You obtain your license from your web host===
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If you purchased your license from us directly, you can reissue your license from [https://www.whmcs.com/members our client area] without any manual intervention from us. 
  
If you received your license from your hosting provider, you can't reissue your license from our client area. This is because the domain and IP address cannot change. Contact your hosting provider to have them update the license for use at the new location. If you are moving to a different hosting provider, you cannot move your license key with you and you will require a new license key for use at the new location.
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To do this:
  
To move WHMCS:
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# Log in to the [https://www.whmcs.com/members WHMCS Members Area].
 +
# Go to '''Services > My Licenses'''.
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# Select your license key.
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# Click '''Reissue''' under the '''Management Actions''' tab.
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# Visit your WHMCS installation in the new location. The system will save the new valid access details.
  
* Disable or remove the WHMCS cron jobs from the old server. This prevents automation from running and making changes.
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=== Purchased from Your Web Host ===
* Create a backup of your database [[Maintenance#Backing_up_your_WHMCS_Database|following these instructions]].
 
* Make sure the new server meets the [[System_Requirements|system requirements]].
 
* Transfer the files to the new server.
 
* [[Maintenance#Restoring_a_Database_Backup|Restore the database]] via phpMyAdmin on the new server and make any changes to the database settings in <tt>configuration.php</tt>.
 
* Reissue your license using the steps above.
 
* Log in to your WHMCS admin area and update the system URLs in '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings''' or, prior to WHMCS 8.0, '''Setup > General Settings'''.
 
* Check whether the system properly modified your cron jobs, payment gateway callbacks, and email forwarders.
 
* Update your [[Further Security Steps#Secure_the_Writeable_Directories|custom directory locations]].
 
* Update your [[Moving_Storage_Locations|storage locations]].
 
* Delete the WHMCS files from the old location.
 
  
<html><a href="https://www.whmcs.com/services#installation?utm_medium=docs" class="docs-video-tutorial"><em><small>Transfer Services: Have our team transfer your WHMCS installation.</small></em><span class="button">Services</span></a></html>
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If you received your license from your hosting provider, you can't reissue your license from our client area. This is because the domain and IP address cannot change. Contact your hosting provider to have them update the license for use at the new location.
  
==Changing the License Key WHMCS uses==
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If you are moving to a different hosting provider, you cannot move your license key with you and you will require a new license key for use at the new location.
  
To change the license key your WHMCS system uses, log in to the admin area and go to '''Help (<i class="fa fa-question-circle" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > License Information''' or, prior to WHMCS 8.0, '''Help > Change License Key'''. Enter your new license key and admin login details to verify the change.
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== Moving WHMCS ==
  
If you are unable to login due to an invalid license error, you can click the '''Click here to enter a new license key.''' link to the Change License Key page and provide a valid license key.
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To move WHMCS:
  
==Is licensing dependant on whmcs.com being online?==
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# Disable or remove the WHMCS cron jobs from the old server. This prevents automation from running and making changes.
 +
# Create a backup of your database [[Maintenance#Backing_up_your_WHMCS_Database|following these instructions]].
 +
# Make sure the new server meets the [[System_Requirements|system requirements]].
 +
# Transfer the files to the new server.
 +
# [[Maintenance#Restoring_a_Database_Backup|Restore the database]] via phpMyAdmin on the new server and make any changes to the database settings in <tt>configuration.php</tt>.
 +
# Use the appropriate method above to reissue your license for the new location.
 +
# In the WHMCS Admin Area, update the system URLs at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > [[General Settings]]''' or, prior to WHMCS 8.0, '''Setup > General Settings'''.
 +
# Check whether the system properly modified your cron jobs, payment gateway callbacks, and email forwarders.
 +
# Update your [[Further Security Steps#Secure_the_Writeable_Directories|custom directory locations]].
 +
# Update your [[Moving_Storage_Locations|storage locations]].
 +
# Delete the WHMCS files from the old location.
  
No. WHMCS uses a local key licensing system with periodic remote verification checks. Once every seven days, your WHMCS system will contact our server to ensure it is being run in the correct location and that the license is still valid. Whether your WHMCS system is online is not dependant on our server being online during the time the local key is valid.
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<html><a href="https://www.whmcs.com/services#installation?utm_medium=docs" class="docs-video-tutorial"><em><small>Transfer Services: Have our team transfer your WHMCS installation.</small></em><span class="button">Services</span></a></html>
  
If our licensing server is unavailable on the day of your next verification check, the system will allow up to three days to make a connection. If, after this time, the system still can't verify your license with our licensing server, your WHMCS Admin Area will become inactive until WHMCS can contact our server again.
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== Licensing While Offline ==
  
Your WHMCS Client Area will always remain online, even if you have an invalid or expired license, to ensure your clients have uninterrupted access.
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Licensing continues to function when WHMCS is offline. WHMCS uses a local key licensing system with periodic remote verification checks. Once every seven days, your WHMCS system will contact our server to ensure it is being run in the correct location and that the license is still valid. Whether your WHMCS system is online is not dependant on our server being online during the time the local key is valid.
  
==Common Errors==
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If our licensing server is unavailable on the day of your next verification check, the system will allow up to three days to make a connection. If, after this time, the system still can't verify your license with our licensing server, your WHMCS Admin Area will become inactive until WHMCS can contact our server again.
  
<div class="docs-alert-info">
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The WHMCS Client Area will always remain online, even if you have an invalid or expired license, to ensure your clients have uninterrupted access.
For information on troubleshooting common licensing errors, see [[License Troubleshooting]].
 
</div>
 

Revision as of 16:57, 3 February 2022

When you move your WHMCS system, if the domain, IP address, or directory you use it in is changing, you must update your license.

Methods to Use

The method to use to do this depends on your license type:

Purchased Directly from WHMCS

If you purchased your license from us directly, you can reissue your license from our client area without any manual intervention from us.

To do this:

  1. Log in to the WHMCS Members Area.
  2. Go to Services > My Licenses.
  3. Select your license key.
  4. Click Reissue under the Management Actions tab.
  5. Visit your WHMCS installation in the new location. The system will save the new valid access details.

Purchased from Your Web Host

If you received your license from your hosting provider, you can't reissue your license from our client area. This is because the domain and IP address cannot change. Contact your hosting provider to have them update the license for use at the new location.

If you are moving to a different hosting provider, you cannot move your license key with you and you will require a new license key for use at the new location.

Moving WHMCS

To move WHMCS:

  1. Disable or remove the WHMCS cron jobs from the old server. This prevents automation from running and making changes.
  2. Create a backup of your database following these instructions.
  3. Make sure the new server meets the system requirements.
  4. Transfer the files to the new server.
  5. Restore the database via phpMyAdmin on the new server and make any changes to the database settings in configuration.php.
  6. Use the appropriate method above to reissue your license for the new location.
  7. In the WHMCS Admin Area, update the system URLs at Configuration () > System Settings > General Settings or, prior to WHMCS 8.0, Setup > General Settings.
  8. Check whether the system properly modified your cron jobs, payment gateway callbacks, and email forwarders.
  9. Update your custom directory locations.
  10. Update your storage locations.
  11. Delete the WHMCS files from the old location.

Transfer Services: Have our team transfer your WHMCS installation.Services

Licensing While Offline

Licensing continues to function when WHMCS is offline. WHMCS uses a local key licensing system with periodic remote verification checks. Once every seven days, your WHMCS system will contact our server to ensure it is being run in the correct location and that the license is still valid. Whether your WHMCS system is online is not dependant on our server being online during the time the local key is valid.

If our licensing server is unavailable on the day of your next verification check, the system will allow up to three days to make a connection. If, after this time, the system still can't verify your license with our licensing server, your WHMCS Admin Area will become inactive until WHMCS can contact our server again.

The WHMCS Client Area will always remain online, even if you have an invalid or expired license, to ensure your clients have uninterrupted access.