AutoCAD LT 2015 - The Autodesk license server cannot be found

[myrnadgalvez]

I hope someone here can help me.

I had installed Autocad LT 2015 in May...no problems...worked great!

Last week, when I clicked to open the program, there was a page that came up and said, " The Autodesk license server cannot be found":

I hit the quit button and the program continued to load and I was able to work.  This routine happened for a few days until yesterday.  When I clicked the "quit" button, this message came up:

This appeared 3x then this message popped up:

Then the program shut down completely!  (Panic came over me as I was getting ready for a meeting.)

I tried calling the Autocad dealer that sent me my invoice, because I thought it was a license/serial # malfunction.  They couldn't help me.  I asked if they could give me a direct number to tech support...none existed (disappointing fact.)  They sent me an email saying the service would be available sometime in July.

I posted on the AutocadLT Forum and I received a few suggestions, of which I did ALL...to no avail.  

I tried the subscription support, (filed a claim#09723632), no answer yet.  

I tried on line chat, they couldn't figure it out, and told me that they'd get back to me (filed another claim#0972557).  

Tried chat again a few hours later and the tech told me to try to do a complete uninstall and re-install.  I did that...still no luck.

I tried to activate the program manually, followed the instructions listed in the installation troubleshooting section, found my request code and was able to get my activation code, but couldn't open the program to plug it all in!

I tried installing Autocad LT 2014 trial version as I was desperate to get at my drawings.  It loaded fine then when I hit the "install" button, it all disappeared, (I'm assuming because it picked up the fact that I have a more recent version already installed.)

I now have less than 12 hours before my client meeting...I am desperate for a solution!

PLEASE HELP!

 FYI: using PC Win8.1, i5-4200U CPU@1.60GHz 2.30GHz, 12GB RAM, 64-bit OS, x64-bp

[pendean]

Looks like you are trying to log into the Autodesk 360 site? LT2015 standalone never needs to log on the internet to start.

A test: disconeect from your network/internet and try starting LT2015. Does it start up with no issues?

[myrnadgalvez]

Hi Dean, 

Thank you for responding. I did as you suggested, still no luck.

The program opened for a split second then this message popped up, and then the screen froze.

[pendean]

- Ensure the user is installing/uninstalling and using the product have enough rights to do so (install and reinstall as local administrator): Unable to run AutoCAD® as a restricted user http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS1055299
- Reset AutoCAD Settings as follows: http://upandready.typepad.com/up_and_ready/2012/07/the-easiest-way-to-reset-autocad.html
- Install the latest service pack: http://usa.autodesk.com/support/downloads/
- Update the graphics card driver: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?siteID=123112&id=18844534
- If the issue persist, please create a new local user account onto the computer and give it administrator permissions then log into the computer with newly created test account and see if AutoCAD launches properly under this user account as well.
- If AutoCAD also crashes under the test user account, you will need to do a complete uninstall and re-install following these instructions: http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS45252 (reinstall for XP/Vista users: http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS75218)
- More complete .NET fix may be necessary ahead of the uninstall/reinstall process: http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Installation-Licensing/NET-Framework-Cleanup-Tool-for-Unhandled-Except...

Download 2010 through 2015 software if you need it, vbut this time go into the detailed installer options and do NOT install Autodesk360 or the: Applications Manager and see if that cure it for good
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=21889745&linkID=9240617

[loxi · Accepted solution]

I had the same problem but it started as soon as I installed AutoCAD 2015. I could launch the program but before it finished launching a dialog box would pop up saying that I should ensure that I had an internet connection because the license server could not be accessed. Of course I had an internet connection-- that's how I downloaded the software. 

Eventually I had the idea that maybe I had a virus or other malware that was messing with my internet settings. I had noticed already that if I went to Internet Options/Connections/LAN Settings/Advanced the check box for "use a proxy server" was always checked. I would always uncheck it and it always came back.

I tried to turn off everything that sounded network-related but that was not enough. Eventually I found this page:

http://malwaretips.com/blogs/ads-by-supra-savings-virus/

which applied to me. Basically I had a virus/malware that was turning on a proxy server (for their own bad purposes) and AutoCAD could not activate while that proxy was in place. I followed the directions in the link to clean up my Windows 7 install and thought I was done, but not quite. I still had to change the Home network settings to NEVER block anything in order to get the activation to work. But it did work, and after that I set the Home network settings to "medium."

Anyhow, myrnadgalvez, I think maybe you have a virus or malware. 

It really was thriling to finally get this figured out. Hoping this helps you.

[myrnadgalvez]

ok, I will try this right now. I'll let you know what happens...

[myrnadgalvez · Accepted solution]

After many days/hours and cases that I opened regarding this problem, Autodesk must have gotten the message that I was in desperate need of HELP!  

A member of the Autodesk Support Team finally called me.

The solution was a combination of all the responses:

I did go through all the suggestions from Autocad Support Team Members, Elites and Autocad users in general.  The Forum Comunity is very helpful.  I had uninstalled the program completely as suggested, then ran a virus scan.  I also ran Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Scan and Malware Chameleon scan to "super-clean" any hidden corrupted files.  There was one file that was stubborn and I couldn't delete it. It was the Autodesk Manager File that was problematic.

Efim Tetelman, (Autodesk Support Team) called this morning and found the Autodesk Manager file that I couldn't delete.  He did his magic on my pc through "teamviewer" and was able to delete it. Efim disabled my pc's firewall (set it to turn on after Restart), then started the download for AutocadLT 2015 for me.  I finished the install on my own per the instructions on site, just now and plugged in my serial number & code. Restarted the pc and it started up without the dreaded message!  It opened up and I am in business again!

Autodesk Team Support is very knowledgable and helpful, but I wish the time it took for them to respond would have been faster.  I reported this problem on June 24th and finally resolved it today, July 1st.  6 Business Days were wasted, which for a small business is tough.  The phone call session lasted less than 30min.

Thank you to Efim, the Elites, and Autocad users that responded. It was extremely helpful that screen-shots and direct-links were inserted in their messages because a simple pc-person such as myself, was then able to navigate.  Thanks for all their collective ideas!

Much appreciated,

Myrna Delacruz-Galvez