PROBLEM

Connecting to an enterprise geodatabase in ArcMap fails and returns the "No ArcGIS Server license found" error message

Last Published: January 8, 2024

Description

When making a connection to an enterprise geodatabase, the following error message may be received:

Error:   
Failed to connect to database.
No ArcGIS server license found. Contact your geodatabase administrator to update license
image of Connect dialog box
Alternatively, the following error message may be returned:
Error:   
Failed to connect to the specified server. Do you want to continue? No ArcGIS server license found. Contact your geodatabase 
administrator to update license
image of Database Connection dialog

Cause

This error may occur when making a database connection to an enterprise geodatabase where the license has expired.

If the user account making the database connection is not an administrative account with necessary permissions, the above error message is received. This means the user within the Connection Properties does not have the authority within the geodatabase to update the license and the geodatabase administrator must be contacted.

Solution or Workaround

Ensure the user account making the database connection has the necessary permissions to administer the geodatabase. After establishing the connection with the geodatabase administrator account, a prompt is displayed to update the license file within the geodatabase. Once prompted, provide the valid KEYCODES/authorization file to update the geodatabase.

[O-Image]

Refer to the Related Information section for more information on this topic.

Note:
If using Workgroup Geodatabases, keep in mind that while this tool will work using a valid workgroup license file, this only updates the license within the geodatabase, and not the registry. It is important to update the license in the registry for Database Servers. For these complete instructions, refer to the article in the Related Information section, 'How To: Update a term license in a workgroup geodatabase'.

Article ID:000012770

Software:
  • ArcGIS Server
  • ArcMap 10 8
  • ArcMap 10 x
  • ArcMap 10 7
  • ArcMap 10 6

Get help from ArcGIS experts

Contact technical support

Download the Esri Support App

Go to download options