"The License manager is not functioning or is improperly installed" for Autodesk 2020 and later version

Autodesk Support

Jan 29, 2025

Products and versions covered

Users reported that after launching an Autodesk 2020 software product, a message similar to the following is displayed:

License Error

The License manager is not functioning or is improperly installed.
<Program> will shut down now.

The License manager is not functioning or is improperly installed. <Program> will shut down now.

Note: The error may appear in versions 2019 or earlier as well. In such cases, refer to the specific article: "The License manager is not functioning or is improperly installed" when launching AutoCAD versions 2017 to 2019.

Recommended - Resolve this with the Troubleshooting Tool.

Check on the Autodesk Account or with your Admin whether the correct license type is in use.
If the license type needs to be changed follow the steps in How to change or reset a license for Autodesk software.

Add the Autodesk product folders to your Antivirus exclusion list and make sure the user running the software has Full Control of the Autodesk folders.
See How to set up antivirus (AV) exclusions to improve stability and performance of Autodesk software.

Set Time and Time zone to adjust automatically.
See: How to set your time and time zone (microsoft.com).

Type "Services.msc" into the Windows search.
Navigate to the Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service.
Right-click it and select "Properties".
Select the "Log On" tab.
Change "Log on as:" to "Local System account" and select "Allow service to interact with desktop".
Select the "Apply" button.
Restart the service.
Restart the software.