Houdini Login-Based Licensing Not Working
Quick answer
Login-based licensing needs hserver 18.5+, a machine logged into your SideFX account, and any installed licenses returned to your account first. Select 'Use SideFX Servers'.
Most likely fix: Quick setup
How to fix it
Try these in order — the most common fix is first.
1. Quick setup
- Return any installed licenses to your SideFX account
- Open the License Administrator (hkey)
- Under your login top-right select 'Use SideFX Servers'
- Check the Server(s) column
Did this fix it?2. Manual setup
- Click the pencil next to Servers
- Add www.sidefx.com from Found Server(s) with +
- Press Update and optionally reorder the list
Did this fix it?
Symptoms
Indie or Education license not found on a machine you want to use with your SideFX login.
Why it happens
- Licenses still installed locally on the machine
- hserver older than 18.5
- Not logged in to SideFX account
- Only one person at a time can use a login-based license
This guide also covers
- houdini login based licensing
- houdini indie license login
- use sidefx servers houdini
Still not working?
If Houdini keeps failing, you're not alone. See every Houdini problem users report or the alternatives people switch to.
Have an app idea? Our small team builds any software: web and mobile apps, games, desktop, AI tools. Price agreed together.
Talk to usThe same problem in other apps
Other Houdini errors
- Houdini Licenses Just Stopped Working
- Houdini Installed Licenses Don't Match SideFX Account
- Houdini 'Error - max retries' on Linux
- Houdini 'No server running' Error on Mac
- Houdini 'Server exited with code 1 before it answered the sign-in request'
- Houdini Stuck on Splash Screen at Startup
- Houdini Apprentice License Not Activating or Expired
- How to Generate a Houdini License Diagnostic File for SideFX Support