Houdini 'No server running' Error on Mac
Quick answer
Start the license server sesinetd from the License Administrator Services page or with sudo launchctl start com.sidefx.sesinetd, then relaunch Houdini.
Most likely fix: Start sesinetd in the License Administrator
How to fix it
Try these in order — the most common fix is first.
1. Start sesinetd in the License Administrator
- Launch the License Administrator
- Select Services in the left column
- Start sesinetd
- Before Houdini 21: File > License Tools Services, press Start
Did this fix it?2. Start it from Terminal
- Run: sudo launchctl start com.sidefx.sesinetd
- Enter your Mac login password
- Verify with: sudo launchctl list com.sidefx.sesinetd and look for a PID
- Launch Houdini again
Did this fix it?
Symptoms
Houdini on macOS shows a 'No server running' licensing error.
Why it happens
- License server sesinetd is not running
- Older builds where the start function failed (use 20.5.527 or newer)
This guide also covers
- houdini no server running mac
- sesinetd not running
- houdini mac license error
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