Why do I receive "Host ID Error" after selecting a license file during installation?

When I attempt to install MATLAB on a client machine for my network based license, I receive the following error:

ERROR: Host ID Error
A host ID could not be found in your license file. After installation, you will have to manually edit the SERVER line in your license file.

What does this error mean, and how can I fix it?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

Network License Manager Installation

If this error occurs during a Network License manager installation, that means that you do not have a valid unprocessed license.lic After you activate the server through the License Center, you can download a license file to use during installation.

To resolve this error, download a new copy of your License File through the MathWorks License Center:

1. Go to https://www.mathworks.com/licensecenter and login to your account
2. Select the license you want to update
3. Open the “Install and Activate” tab
4. Click on the download arrow in the "Get License File" tab to download the unprocessed license file

Client Installation

This error occurs when you install MATLAB on a client machine, and the network license file is missing the SERVER line.

The SERVER line is necessary for the client to contact the server to acquire licenses. When this line is absent, the installer assumes you are installing on the license server. It compares the Host ID of the license file to the system's Host ID.

If you are installing a MATLAB client, acquire the network license file from the license server. The default location for the license.dat is:

$MATLABROOT/etc 

(where $MATLAB is the MATLAB installation directory)

Once you have directed the installer to a license file with a valid SERVER line, it will complete successfully.