• This message will appear when the total instances of SketchUp Pro running is more than the total number of seats available for the license. Let's say, for example, you have a three-seat network license and three instances of SketchUp Pro are running. This message will appear when someone tries to launch a fourth instance of SketchUp Pro. To purchase additional network seats please visit our online store.

  • This can happen if SketchUp is installed as opposed to SketchUp Pro. To correct this issue, we suggest downloading and installing the SketchUp Pro trial. For more assistance, click here. If you continue to encounter an issue, you may want to consider uninstalling SketchUp. For more information about uninstalling, please click here.

  • To find your SketchUp Pro license serial number, please do the following based on your operating system. Windows

  • Please note that you need administrative permissions to authorize SketchUp Pro. If you're authorizing on Windows Vista, be sure that SketchUp is closed first, then launch SketchUp from the Desktop by right-clicking and selecting Run as Administrator. For further authorization instructions please visit our authorization articles.

  • When SketchUp Pro is first installed, the program is set to evaluation mode. To unlock the evaluation, SketchUp Pro needs to be authorized with a valid license. If you have a SketchUp Pro license and would like further assistance authorizing, click here.

  • The Quick Answer Check that your account or computer has administrative permissions. Make sure your license matches your version of SketchUp. Situation: After you enter your SketchUp Pro license information and click "OK" (PC) or "Add" (Mac), the license dialog box closes and immediately reopens. There are three main causes for this looping behavior:

  • Situation: you are using a network version of SketchUp Pro on a PC, and when you start it, this message is displayed: The server.dat specifies a SketchUp license file that does not exist or is not currently accessible: \\ServerName\ServerFolder\SketchUp#.lf. This message can be displayed for two reasons. To figure out which reason applies, try to browse to the license folder and view the SketchUp#.lf file:

  • For further details on the message "SketchUp is unable to validate my license file (PC)", please click on the appropriate version of the error message below:

  • Click the link appropriate to your operating system to download one of the older, supported versions of SketchUp:

  • To use SketchUp you need a Classic License or a SketchUp subscription like Go, Pro, or Studio. Here are some common errors related to licenses and subscriptions, and how you can fix them: