Copy of Cubase 9 won't run without an activation code, but I already bought the license

Cubase
1

My father (this is his account), needs to use his copy of Cubase Artist 9. I tried to run it, and it asked for an “activation code”. Considering he has paid good money to use CA9, I’m assuming he can recover a new code to use the software somewhere?

Thanks in advance!

2

Are you running it on the same computer with same o/s?

Any update that would change the machine ID would kill the activation and because elicenser licensing service is closed down it is not possible to reactivate.

EDIT: Apologies….if Juergen is correct that it uses the dongle then indeed you should be fine with an elicenser update. I was thinking it would be a soft elicense.

3

Welcome to the forum

Cubase Artist 9 used a USB dongle for the license and you need to have the eLicenser Control Center installed. This will work as long as your dongle is not damaged or lost.

However the eLicenser infrastructure has been shutdown in May this year, so you should think about updating the license to Cubase 15, which is using Steinberg Lucensing now.

4

My father produced the original dongle, but nothing seems to be happening yet. I’m still messing around with it.

I’m aware it doesn’t work any longer with eLicenser, but I thought I might be able to activate it anyway.

5

Thanks Juergen! How do I update the license?

6

Just go to the Steinberg website and click the Buy Cubase button, then select the release you want to update to.

7

YES, you can!
As @JuergenP said: As long as you have got a working USB eLicenser (manditory prerequisite for Pro/Artist versions since Cubase 8 in 2014) you can download the

eLicenserControlCenter here

and Cubase Artist 9 here

Of course, the newest version comes with a lot of cool features - just saying. But that’s up to your father. Say hi! :wink:

8

Install the latest software here….if it still doesn’t work open the control centre and see if it sees the dongle….if not you can try a different usb port, and confirm the light is on when it’s connected.

1 Like
9

While we are at it:

I know it is possible to open all previous versions with Cubase Pro within a defined licensing system. For example: C14 Pro goes down to C12 (New Licensing System), C11 Pro can open all previous versions (Old licensing system).
Introduced with C14 Pro and the one-installer-fits-all, you can also open smaller version with a Pro version (Artist, Elements, AI, LE). This is also possible with all previous versions if they are installed on the system, right?

Here’s my question: Is this also possible with an Artist or Elements version as well? Do the same rules apply for running previous versions and minor versions (e.g. opening an Element version with an Artist license)?

10

He appreciates the support! I get a “unable to secure server connection, try again later or contact support” message while running the installer for CA 9.

11

Did you install the eLicenserControlCenter and plug in the dongle, first? That’s what you should do.

Loads of nice folks around here, he’s welcome :slight_smile:

12

yeah, I did

13

Just to eliminate one thing, what is the exact license shown in the eLCC? I’m just thinking about the possibility of trying to use Artist 9.5 when there is only a 9 license available.

1 Like
14

I’ll chime in a bit since I run Cubase 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 on the Win11 Pro systems here. I’ll step through what I BELIEVE you’ve implied “yes” to……

  1. Your dad has a Windows 11 computer.
  2. You have downloaded the teeny tiny elicense dongle driver and have installed it.
  3. You possess an already-downloaded installer/iso of Cubase Artist 9
  4. You NOW get the computer totally/completely/FOR SURE disconnected from the internet to avoid any confusion :slight_smile:
  5. With the dongle plugged in, you open the ecc dongle driver..ignore any housekeeping messages…observe the exact license stated to be sitting on the dongle….which your dad says should be Cubase Artist 9.
  6. STILL COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE INTERNET….
  7. Insure your chosen audio interface is installed and generally operating on the win11 computer…ie….you see that it’s indeed present.
  8. Install Cubase 9 Artist from your already-downloaded installer …no internet.
  9. Cubase 9 Artist will install….looking to the dongle for the a-ok (no internet!!!). During install, cb9….because it is old ..may say something to the effect “um, I don’t see the dongle driver I’m built to looking for”….because of course…it’s old :slight_smile: Ignore this and proceed to complete the installation. Once completed, restart the computer (NO INTERNET) with the dongle still plugged in….and …now start up cb9 artist ….and it will see the dongle…and it will successfully start.
  10. Dial in your audio interface.
  11. Go back onto the internet for your day to day :slight_smile:

I WILL say I’m reciting this from subconscious of having done a zillion routine reinstalls of cb3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 (well also 12,13,14)…..I’m not at the computer atm restepping what I’ve just listed in realtime.