Hi everyone,

I urgently need help activating my Unraid server. I need access to my work files and ongoing projects, and I am currently unable to start my array.

My situation

I set up a new USB flash drive using my existing, previously backed-up config folder.

There has never been a license key file on this new USB drive. I need to activate my existing license by redeeming my Activation Code through the official Unraid website.

I purchased a Starter license on September 20, 2026. The order is visible in my Unraid account, and the Activation Code is still listed as available.

Order number: #20260920yfyap

License: Starter

Activation Code: T5CR...TKH5 (partially redacted)

Unraid version: 7.3.2 (stable)

Device GUID: 058F (additional GUID information can be provided if needed)

The activation problem

When I try to redeem my Activation Code at:

https://account.unraid.net/server

I receive the following error:

Unable to check your server state

We couldn't determine the right action for this server.

My server does not appear correctly in the online interface, and I cannot complete the activation process.

Unraid reports the following registration status:

License state: Missing Key File

License key type: Invalid

Key linked status: Unknown

Replace eligibility: Cannot replace

I understand that the key file is missing because I am using a new USB drive. I am not trying to recover an existing license key file. I need to redeem my purchased Activation Code and activate the license on this installation.

What I have tried

• Attempted to redeem the Activation Code through my Unraid account.

• Tried updating Unraid and restoring an older version.

• Checked my registration information.

• Confirmed that my Starter license purchase is visible in my account.

• Verified that my second Unraid server works correctly through the same online account interface.

The support can't / does not resolve my problem.

What I need help with

1. How can I redeem my existing Activation Code if the website cannot identify my server?

2. Is there a way to link my new USB installation to the purchased license manually?

3. Is there a safe workaround that will allow me to start my existing array without risking my data?

This is urgent because I need my files for work.

Thank you!

Edited October 27Oct 27 by bt4

23 minutes ago, bt4 said:

I need to redeem my purchased Activation Code and activate the license on this installation.

You don't redeem an activation for that; you need to transfer the license. If you still have the old license, install it, then follow the replace keyfile flow.

If you don't have it, you will need to contact support.

https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/system-administration/maintain-and-update/changing-the-flash-device

Good day,

I don't have the old license and there is no key file! The activation code is all that I have.

Every Option Transfer, redeem, ... under "registration" is directing me to the unraid.net were only the error message is shown:

"Unable to check your server state.

We couldn't determine the right action for this server."

There is no option, nothing, to change configuration or the license settings.

Contact support does Not help.

Best Regards

Edited October 27Oct 27 by bt4

45 minutes ago, bt4 said:

Contact support does Not help.

If you don't have the key file and the recovery option doesn't work, contacting support is the only option, they can easily get you the old key, or transfer it to the new GUID if you send that.

1 hour ago, bt4 said:

there is no key file!

2 hours ago, bt4 said:

previously backed-up config folder.

Should be there.

Because it was so long, I forgot:

The old key was moved to the new unraid server which is active with all VMS, ...

Now I have purchased a new license for the old Server which is only a code.

Edited October 27Oct 27 by bt4

Do I have to transfer the key back again?

Is it possible without loosing data and configuration on both servers?

Edited October 27Oct 27 by bt4

Up

Not totally sure what you are asking, but if you transferred the key to the new server and have a new one for the old, no need to transfer it again. You can keep the old server data with the new key.

I tried that already.

When I get redirected to unraid.net after clicking on Redeem, Activate, ... under registration, the error (See first post) keeps appearring.

Edited October 28Oct 28 by bt4

Try activating from a different device, like your phone or tablet, or use an icon browser window on your desktop. Don't try to use the built-in server browser.

Tried it from several computer. Local and external.
NOthing is working....

All my working data are lost because the unraid licensing server is not working.

NEVER again

Edited October 30Oct 30 by bt4