The error message "The hardware information does not match with your dongle, please contact Autodata" indicates a security verification failure between the Autodata software and the physical USB license key (dongle). This typically occurs due to corrupted driver settings, incorrect software installation, or hardware identification conflicts. Primary Causes
Driver Conflicts: Windows may automatically assign an incorrect driver if the dongle is plugged in before the software is installed.
Corrupted Registry Settings: Mismatched information between the computer's registry and the dongle's unique hardware ID.
Outdated Firmware: The dongle’s internal software or the Sentinel driver may be too old to communicate with your current version of Autodata.
USB Power Issues: Windows may disable the USB port to save power, causing the software to lose the connection to the dongle during operation. Troubleshooting Steps Restart and Reinstall Drivers: The error message "The hardware information does not
Disconnect the dongle and uninstall any existing Sentinel drivers.
Restart your computer—this is a critical step for modern Windows versions (7/8/10) to clear temporary hardware states.
Reinstall the software or the specific Sentinel driver before reconnecting the dongle.
Run as Administrator: Always right-click the Autodata shortcut and select "Run as Administrator" to ensure the software has sufficient permissions to read the dongle's hardware ID. Step 2: Update Dongle Drivers
Adjust Regional Settings: Some versions of Autodata require your computer's Regional Settings to be set to English (United States) to correctly parse license information.
Check USB Power Management: Open Device Manager, locate your USB Root Hubs, and under "Power Management," uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power". Official Support
If these steps do not resolve the issue, you should contact the Autodata Support Team directly to verify your license status or replace a faulty dongle. Dongle Error Codes - GRAFIS Software eGbR
This message typically appears in automotive diagnostic software like AutoData (or similar programs such as TIS, WIS, or other dealer-level systems). It means the software has detected that the hardware ID (e.g., computer’s motherboard serial, hard drive serial, or network adapter MAC address) does not match the one encrypted in the dongle (USB hardware key). Visit the Autodata website and download the latest
Here’s a helpful report you can use to understand and resolve the issue:
The dongle should be recognized, and Autodata should launch without hardware mismatch errors.
This message indicates the software detected a mismatch between the vehicle or software hardware ID and the security/licence ID on the AUTODATA dongle (hardware key). The application refuses or limits functionality because the dongle’s credentials do not match the expected hardware signature.
A major Windows feature update (e.g., going from 21H2 to 22H2) can reset hardware IDs. Set your diagnostic PC to "Semi-Annual Channel" or defer updates for 30 days.
Error appears immediately upon launching Autodata, preventing access.