"Team Solidsquad Solidworks 2018 Error 6" is a common licensing failure that typically occurs when the FLEXnet License Service cannot initialize correctly or is blocked by system security. This error is often triggered by a mismatch in license server versions, firewall restrictions on communication ports, or antivirus software deleting critical activation files during installation. Understanding the Root Causes
The specific "Error 6" label often points to Activation Library Initialization issues. In the context of "SolidSquad" activation tools used for older software like SOLIDWORKS 2018, these failures generally stem from:
Antivirus Interference: Security software frequently flags and removes the .dll or .exe files required for the license server to function, leading to a "failed initialization" state.
Port Blocking: The license manager typically communicates via ports 25734 and 25735 (or 27000 for FLEXnet). If the Windows Firewall blocks these, the client software will fail to obtain a license.
OS Compatibility: SOLIDWORKS 2018 was designed for Windows 10 and older. Running it on Windows 11 can cause instability and activation errors due to changes in background services like Visual Basic for Applications (VBA 7.1).
Residual Files: Leftover license files from previous installations can conflict with new activation attempts. Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide 1. Clean the Licensing Environment
Before attempting a re-installation, you must remove conflicting files that might be causing the "Error 6" initialization failure.
Navigate to your licensing server folder (often located where you extracted the activation tools).
Right-click server_remove.bat and select Run as Administrator.
Manually check C:\ProgramData\FLEXnet\ for old lmgrd.log or license files and delete them to prevent interference. 2. Disable Security and Restore Files
If your antivirus has "quarantined" parts of the activator, the server will never start correctly.
Temporarily disable Real-time Protection in Windows Defender or your third-party antivirus.
Extract the activation files again from the original source.
Add the entire extraction folder to your antivirus Exclusion List so it doesn't delete the files once protection is re-enabled. 3. Configure Firewall Exceptions
Ensure the system allows license communication through the necessary ports. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security. Create a new Inbound Rule and Outbound Rule for Ports.
Specify ports 25734, 25735, and 27000 to allow the connection. 4. Reinstall the License Service Team Solidsquad Solidworks 2018 Error 6
With the environment cleaned and ports open, re-initialize the service. Go back to your activator folder. Right-click server_install.bat and Run as Administrator.
Ensure the command prompt window confirms the service started successfully. 5. Reset the Windows Registry (If Errors Persist)
If the splash screen hangs or "Error 6" continues after fixing the license server, a corrupt registry key may be the culprit. SOLIDWORKS Registry Reset
The "Error 6" encountered with the SolidWorks 2018 Team Solidsquad activator is often an "Access Violation" error or an activation service failure, frequently triggered by OS incompatibilities (like running it on Windows 11) or security settings blocking the crack . Primary Fix: DEP and Permissions
Users have reported success by adjusting Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and administrative settings to allow the activator to run .
Run as Administrator: Right-click the SolidWorks.2017-2018.Activator.SSQ.exe and select Run as administrator . Disable DEP for the Activator:
Open Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings.
Under the Advanced tab, click Settings in the Performance section. Go to the Data Execution Prevention tab.
Select "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select."
Click Add and browse to the SSQ activator executable to exclude it .
Disable Security: Temporarily disable Windows Defender, third-party antivirus, and your Internet connection before running the activator to prevent it from being blocked or performing online checks . Troubleshooting Windows 11 Compatibility
SolidWorks 2018 was not originally designed for Windows 11, which often causes this specific error during the activation phase .
Compatibility Mode: Right-click the activator, go to Properties > Compatibility, and set it to run in compatibility mode for Windows 7 or Windows 10.
VBA Conflict: If you have a newer version of SolidWorks (2021 SP2+) or Microsoft Office installed, a conflict with VBA 7.1 can cause installation errors. You may need to uninstall existing VBA 7.1 components from the Windows "Apps & Features" menu before attempting the 2018 activation . Clean Re-Activation Steps
If the error persists, perform a clean reset of the license service: "Team Solidsquad Solidworks 2018 Error 6" is a
Stop Services: Open services.msc and stop the SolidWorks Licensing Service if it is running.
Delete Temp License: Navigate to C:\ProgramData\FLEXnet and delete any files starting with SW_D (Note: ProgramData is a hidden folder).
Re-run Activator: Run the SSQ activator again, ensuring you click "Force Rekey" or "Activate Licenses" as per the specific version's instructions . Error 6 Solidsquad - Google Groups
This error appears because of a change made in the Visual Basic for Application version 7.1 (VBA 7.1) introduced in 2021 SP2. Google Groups
Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS 2018: Fixing the "Error 6" Activation Glitch If you are using SOLIDWORKS 2018 and encounter
during startup or activation, you are likely facing a common licensing handshake failure. This error typically triggers the message:
"The SolidNetWork License Server version is older than the SOLIDWORKS version you are trying to run," even if you are using a local standalone setup.
Here is a breakdown of why this happens and how to resolve it based on common community fixes. Why Does Error 6 Happen? Error 6 is almost always related to a mismatch between the SolidNetWork License Manager (SNL)
and the software version, or a failure in the activation emulator. Version Mismatch:
The license manager must always be the same version or newer than the version of SOLIDWORKS being opened. Service Failure:
The background service responsible for checking the license (often associated with third-party activators like Team Solidsquad) has stopped or was blocked by antivirus software. Registry Corruption:
Residual data from previous installations or failed activations can confuse the license checker. How to Fix It 1. Restart the License Service
Before diving into complex files, check if the service is simply "sleeping." services.msc , and hit Enter. SolidNetWork License Manager or the specific service provided in your _SolidSQUAD_ Right-click and select 2. Re-run the Activation Tool
If you are using the Team Solidsquad (SSQ) activation method, the "Error 6" often means the local server wasn't properly registered. Navigate to your original installation folder and find the _SolidSQUAD_ SOLIDWORKS 2018 Activator (or similar script) as an Administrator
Click through the steps to "Set Serial Numbers" and "Activate Licenses" again. This often refreshes the registry keys that cause the Error 6 timeout. 3. Update the License Manager If you are on a network, ensure your server is running the 2018 version What If Nothing Works
(or newer) of the SolidNetWork License Manager. You can find official guidance on refreshing licenses at Javelin Technologies 4. Clean Registry "Leftovers"
If the error persists after a reinstall, you may have "ghost" registry entries from older versions.
Only attempt this if you are comfortable with the Registry Editor. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks and check for outdated version folders. Ensure the paths are pointing to the correct local host (usually 25734@localhost Prevention Tips Exclude from Antivirus:
Add your SOLIDWORKS installation and activation folders to your antivirus "Exclusions" list to prevent the license emulator from being quarantined. Run as Admin:
Always launch the activator and the software with administrative privileges to ensure they can communicate with the system's licensing services.
For more complex database or file errors that sometimes follow an activation fix, such as Hole Wizard issues, you can refer to troubleshooting guides from GoEngineer Are you seeing this error on a standalone machine company network
Error 6 in Team SolidSquad (SSQ) SolidWorks 2018 installations usually indicates an "Access Violation" caused by antivirus deletion of key files or compatibility issues, particularly on Windows 11. Troubleshooting generally involves disabling security software, re-extracting files, running the activator as an administrator, and resetting the license service. For more details, visit Error 6 Solidsquad - Google Groups.
If you have exhausted all fixes and still encounter "Team Solidsquad Solidworks 2018 Error 6," you have three options:
SolidWorks 2018 SP5.0 Activator (by SSQ). The "SP5.0" version is more stable than earlier service packs.Follow these steps in order to resolve the error.
Sometimes, Windows User Account Control (UAC) prevents the cracked software from accessing the FlexNet server.
Note: SolidWorks 2018 is an older version. If you are doing this for learning purposes, keep in mind that running cracked CAD software on a machine connected to the internet is highly risky, as cracked executives often lack modern security patches. It is highly recommended to keep your cracked SolidWorks machine completely offline.
If you still see Error 6, try these targeted fixes.
Fix A: Manual Patching (Bypassing the GUI) Sometimes the graphical activator crashes, but the command-line tool works.
cd /d C:\SSQ_ActivatorSW2018_Activator.exe /silentFix B: Replace netapi32.dll Manually
The Solidsquad tool often errors out when trying to overwrite netapi32.dll. Do it yourself:
SW_Patch.Process Explorer to see which temp folder it extracts to.netapi32.dll from the temp folder.C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\.netapi32.dll, rename it to netapi32.old, then paste the new one.Fix C: Compatibility Mode
“Error 6” typically appears during SolidWorks 2018 installation or when launching the application after applying a patch/activation tool. It’s a generic runtime/permission/patch failure code indicating the application couldn’t complete a required operation (file write, registration change, service start, or process injection). In cracked/modified installs this often stems from:
This is the most effective fix.
C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp) and the loader folder to the Exclusions list.