Autodesk Network License Not Available Error 85440 May 2026
Reset the License Type: This is the most common fix. If you are supposed to sign in with your email, you must tell the software to stop looking for a network server. Open the Autodesk Licensing Support Tool.
Select your product and change the license method to "User" (Sign In).
Restart the software and select the "Sign In" option on the "Let's Get Started" screen.
Check User Assignment: Ensure the end user is actually assigned a license in the Autodesk Account portal. If the assignment was recently changed from Multi-user to Single-user, the local software must be reset as described above.
Enable File Inheritance: A lack of permissions on licensing information files can trigger this error. Go to C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Adlm. Right-click the file ProductInformation.pit. Select Properties > Security > Advanced. Click "Enable inheritance" and then OK. Network Administrator Checks autodesk network license not available error 85440
If you are strictly using a Multi-User (Network) environment:
Verify Options File Restrictions: Check the ADSKFLEX.opt file on the server to ensure the specific user or machine hasn't been restricted from pulling a license.
Check Registry Values: Ensure the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FLEXlm License Manager\ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE points to the correct server.
Server Status: Use LMTOOLS on the license server to perform a "Status Enquiry" and confirm that the licenses are not all currently in use or expired. Network License Not Available - Forums, Autodesk Reset the License Type : This is the most common fix
Here’s a useful technical write-up on the Autodesk Network License Not Available Error 85440, including causes, symptoms, and step-by-step resolution.
Fix 5: Repair the Network License Manager (Server Side)
If the server is misbehaving:
- Stop the Autodesk License Server service.
- Backup
C:\Autodesk\Network License Manager\licenses\*.lic - Reinstall the same version of NLM (from Autodesk Account).
- Restore the license file.
- Restart the service.
Quick Diagnosis Steps
4. Keep NLM Updated
Autodesk releases NLM updates every year. Running an old version (e.g., NLM 2020 with AutoCAD 2025) can cause Error 85440. Match major versions.
When to contact Autodesk support
- HostID doesn’t match and you can’t regenerate a license file.
- Logs show vendor daemon crashes or corrupted license files after server updates.
- You suspect a licensing server bug or need a new license issuance/re-host.
VPN-Specific Solutions
Option A: Use a VPN that supports NetBIOS over TCP/IP Many VPNs (Cisco AnyConnect, OpenVPN) block broadcast traffic. Ensure your VPN profile allows: Fix 5: Repair the Network License Manager (Server
- NetBIOS name resolution
- WINS server forwarding
Option B: Deploy a license server in the cloud Autodesk allows NLM on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Place the server inside the same VPC as your remote access VPN endpoint.
Option C: Edit the HOSTS file (last resort)
On remote laptops, edit C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts as Administrator.
Add:
192.168.1.100 license-server.mycompany.com
(Use the server’s actual VPN IP address)
Warning: This bypasses DNS and must be updated manually if the server IP changes.
Option D: Switch to user-based licensing For truly remote teams, consider transitioning from Network licenses to Autodesk Named User licenses. Error 85440 does not occur because no server is required.
Solution 6: Update Autodesk Software
- Ensure that the Autodesk software is up-to-date and patched.
- Check for any updates or hotfixes that may resolve the issue.
Solution 1: Check License Server Status
- Ensure the license server software is running on the server machine.
- Check the license server logs for any errors or issues.
- Verify that the license server is properly configured and licensed.
Example: Typical fix scenario
- Problem: After NIC replacement, users get 85440.
- Steps taken:
- Confirm server vendor daemon logs show HOSTID mismatch.
- Obtain server’s new hostid (mac address) and request new license file from Autodesk Account.
- Replace license file, restart lmgrd/vendor daemons.
- Verify clients can check out licenses.











