How to Resolve HiveMQ License Not Recognized Issues

If HiveMQ continues to show "Trial Mode" after applying your license, it is often due to the license file being placed in the wrong directory. This guide walks you through validating and correcting the setup.

Instructions

1. ✅ Check License File Placement

Ensure that your license files (usually license.lic) are placed in the correct directory:

$HIVEMQ_HOME/license/

$HIVEMQ_HOME refers to the root directory where HiveMQ is installed.

2. 📁 If Using a Cluster

If you're running a HiveMQ cluster, the license file must be copied to the correct directory on each node in the cluster.

3. 📜 Verify License Load in Logs

Check the HiveMQ logs to confirm the license has been loaded:

$HIVEMQ_HOME/log/hivemq.log

Look for entries like:

License successfully loaded.

4. 🔍 If Still Unrecognized

If the license is still not recognized:

Double-check the directory path
Contact HiveMQ Support and include relevant log files for further analysis

✅ Summary

To resolve a "license not recognized" issue:

Place the license in $HIVEMQ_HOME/license/
Ensure every cluster node has the license file
HiveMQ detects licenses dynamically — no restart is required