A very specific error in Mastercam 2021 involves Windows User Access Control (UAC).
The Scenario: Mastercam opens fine when you right-click and "Run as Administrator," but shows "License Not Found" when you double-click it normally.
The Fix: You need to force the executable to always run with admin privileges or adjust your UAC settings.
Before troubleshooting, you must identify which license type you have. Mastercam 2021 supports three primary models:
The error "license not found" behaves differently for each. A local HASP error suggests a driver or USB issue. A NetHASP error suggests a communication path failure.
Key Background Services:
When launching Mastercam 2021, users may encounter an error stating "License Not Found" or "No License Found – NetHASP / SIM not found". This prevents the software from opening. The issue typically arises from communication failures between Mastercam and its licensing method (hardware USB key, Network License Manager, or software-based license).
Mastercam 2021 requires a license that supports version 2021. If you upgraded from Mastercam 2020 but did not update your maintenance, the dongle will not work. Check your dongle ID number against your Mastercam portal account.
Windows Defender Firewall or corporate security software often blocks NetHASP.
Fix:
The CodeMeter service runs in the background. If it crashes, Windows will not restart it automatically.
Steps for Windows 10/11:
Pro Tip: After restarting the service, wait 10 seconds. The service needs time to enumerate the USB bus.
As a last resort, the license pointers in the Windows Registry may be corrupted. WARNING: Editing the registry can break your OS. Back up first.