How to enter serial number in AutoCAD?

AutoCAD requires a valid license to run; entering your Serial number is the main way to validate and activate the software. This guide explains, step by step, how to enter a serial number in AutoCAD, alternative activation methods, common errors and fixes, practical tips, and an FAQ to answer extra questions.

Why AutoCAD Requires a Serial Number

AutoCAD uses a serial number (and sometimes a Product key or your Autodesk account) to confirm that your installation is licensed. Entering the correct serial number during installation or activation:

• Verifies your license with Autodesk.
• Enables full access to AutoCAD features and updates.
• Prevents suspension of the software due to unlicensed use.

Note: Recent AutoCAD subscriptions often rely on Autodesk Account sign-in rather than a traditional serial number. Read the sections below to choose the method that matches your version.

Before You Begin (Checklist)

• Have your serial number and product key (if provided) ready.
• Ensure you have an Autodesk account and the email associated with the license.
• Make sure the computer has a stable internet connection for online activation.
• If doing an offline activation, obtain the request code from the machine and access to another device with internet.

Step-by-step: Enter serial Number During Installation

1. Run the AutoCAD installer (double-click the downloaded .exe or mount the installation media).
2. Follow on-screen prompts until you reach the Product Information or License screen.
3. When prompted, type or paste the serial number into the Serial Number field, and enter the product key if required.
4. Continue through the installation steps and click Install or Finish when prompted.
5. Launch AutoCAD after installation. If the installer completed activation steps, AutoCAD will open normally.

Tips: Copy and paste to avoid typing mistakes. Run the installer as Administrator if you encounter permission issues.

Step-by-step: Enter Serial Number on First Launch (Activation Screen)

1. Open AutoCAD for the first time after installing.
2. The Activation or Sign In screen appears. If you see a sign-in prompt and your license is subscription-based, sign in with your Autodesk account.
3. If presented with a field for serial number, enter it exactly as supplied.
4. Follow the on-screen Activate prompts until the activation completes.
5. Restart AutoCAD if requested.

If you subscribe via Autodesk and don’t have a serial number, signing in with the associated Autodesk ID will usually activate the product.

How to Enter or Change Serial Number After Installation

1. Open AutoCAD.
2. Go to the application menu (top-right) and click Help > About AutoCAD (or “About [Your AutoCAD Version]”).
3. Click Product Information.
4. In the Product Information dialog, find the option to Update Serial Number or Change License.
5. Enter the new serial number and follow prompts to reactivate.

Alternative path: Some versions allow activation management in Account Settings within AutoCAD or via the Autodesk licensing Service on Windows.

Alternative Activation Methods

• Autodesk Account (Subscription sign-in): Newer licenses may not require entering a serial number; simply sign in with the Autodesk account that owns the subscription.
• Offline Activation: If you don’t have internet, choose Request an Activation code in the activation dialog. Use another device to visit Autodesk’s activation portal and exchange the request code for an activation code, then paste it into AutoCAD.
• Autodesk Virtual Agent / Autodesk Account Portal: Manage licenses, view serial numbers, and activate products from your account at manage.autodesk.com.
• Network or Multi-user License (NLM/FLEXnet): Connect to your organization’s license server — no individual serial entry required on each workstation.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

• “Invalid serial number”

  • Double-check for typos, extra spaces, or transposed digits.
  • Confirm you’re using the serial number for the correct product and version.
  • If copied from email/PDF, ensure the font didn’t change characters (e.g., O vs 0).

• “Activation failed” or “Activation limit reached”

  • Log into your Autodesk Account to check how many activations remain.
  • Deactivate old installations you no longer use (via Help > About > Deactivate).
  • Contact Autodesk support if limits seem incorrect.

• “License not found” or “Network license error”

  • Verify the license server address and that the machine can reach it on the network.
  • Confirm firewall settings allow the licensing ports (ask your IT admin).

• Offline activation not accepting code

  • Ensure you used the correct request code from the same machine and the correct product/version on Autodesk’s portal.
  • Don’t use a previously generated activation code — each code is single-use and tied to a request code.

• No serial number in new subscription

  • Many subscription plans use Autodesk ID sign-in; sign in instead of entering a serial.

Tips for Safekeeping and Best Practices

• Keep your serial number and product key in a secure password manager or company license repository.
• Register products to your Autodesk Account so you can retrieve serial numbers when needed.
• Don’t share your serial number publicly; treat it as a sensitive license credential.
• Keep receipts, emails, and purchase records in case you need to prove license ownership.
• Regularly deactivate licenses on machines you no longer use to free activations.
• Update AutoCAD and the Autodesk Licensing Service to the latest compatible versions to avoid activation bugs.

FAQ

Where can I find my AutoCAD serial number?

Your serial number is in your Autodesk Account (manage.autodesk.com) under All Products & Services, on the purchase email, or on your purchase invoice. If your software was preinstalled by a vendor, check the documentation they provided.

Can I use the same serial number on multiple computers?

It depends on the license type. Single-user subscriptions are usually tied to one user and limited activations; multi-user/network licenses allow multiple concurrent users via a license server. Check your license terms in your Autodesk Account.

What’s the difference between a serial number and a product key?

The serial number identifies your specific license. The product key identifies the product version (e.g., AutoCAD 2023). Both may be required during installation or activation.

I lost my serial number — how can I retrieve it?

Log into your Autodesk Account and view your product details. If you can’t access the account, contact Autodesk Support with proof of purchase to recover the serial number.

How do I activate AutoCAD offline?

Choose Activate offline on the AutoCAD activation screen, copy the request code, visit Autodesk’s offline activation page from another device, exchange the request code for an activation code, and paste it back into AutoCAD.

Why doesn’t AutoCAD ask for a serial number when I install?

Recent subscription models use Autodesk ID sign-in instead of traditional serial numbers. If you’re prompted to sign in, use the Autodesk account associated with the subscription.

How do I change the serial number on an existing AutoCAD installation?

Open AutoCAD, go to Help > About AutoCAD > Product Information, and use the option to change or update the serial number. Then follow prompts to reactivate.

The serial number is valid but still not accepted — what should I do?

Check for typos, confirm the serial is for your exact AutoCAD version, ensure your license isn’t already used to the activation limit, update the Autodesk Licensing Service, and contact Autodesk Support if the problem persists.