The "SolidWorks 2018 activator ssq error 6 new" is not a hardware failure—it is a permissions and compatibility error. The solution almost always lies in three actions:
If you have tried all six steps above and still see Error 6, the problem is likely a corrupt Windows SID (Security Identifier) or a deep-seated DLL conflict. In that case, the most time-efficient solution is to perform a clean Windows installation (not a reset), then install SolidWorks 2018 on a fresh OS before any other heavy software.
Remember: No activator is "new" forever. As Windows evolves, even the latest SSQ tool will eventually fail. The permanent fix is a legitimate license—one that never shows Error 6.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The author does not condone software piracy. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes.
Error 6 in the SolidWorks 2018 SSQ (SolidSquad) activator typically points to an Access Violation or an Activation Library Initialization failure, often triggered by compatibility issues with newer operating systems like Windows 11. Common Causes & Fixes
OS Compatibility: SolidWorks 2018 is not officially supported on Windows 11, leading to "Error 6" during the activation process. To mitigate this, ensure all necessary drivers are installed and consider running the activator in Compatibility Mode for Windows 7 or 10.
Antivirus Interference: Security software often flags or deletes critical activator files (like DLLs) upon extraction, resulting in "Error 6". solidworks 2018 activator ssq error 6 new
Fix: Disable your antivirus software temporarily, re-extract the activator files from the original archive, and ensure no activation files were moved or quarantined.
Corrupt Registry or Existing DLLs: Leftover files from previous installations or corrupted registry keys can block the activation manager.
Fix: Navigate to the Windows Registry Editor (regedit) as an administrator and reset the SolidWorks registry keys.
Fix: Check for and manually remove any DLL files in the license server directory that may have persisted from a previous version.
VBA Conflict: If you have a newer version of SolidWorks (2021 SP2 or later) installed, it uses a newer version of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA 7.1) that the 2018 installer does not recognize, causing installation errors. Recommended Troubleshooting Steps
Repair the Installation: Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, right-click SolidWorks, select Change, and then choose Repair the individual installation. The "SolidWorks 2018 activator ssq error 6 new"
Run as Administrator: Ensure you are running both the installer and the SSQ activator with full administrative privileges.
Clear FlexNet Files: Some users find success by clearing the SolidWorks flex.sers server folder or re-running the server_install.bat file as an administrator.
Are you attempting this installation on Windows 11, and have you already tried disabling your antivirus during the process?
SolidWorks 2018 Activator SSQ Error 6 typically occurs due to compatibility issues with newer operating systems like Windows 11 or conflicts with existing software components
. Users report this "Access Violation" error when the activator fails to write necessary license information into the Windows Registry. Primary Causes of Error 6 OS Incompatibility : SolidWorks 2018 is not officially supported on Windows 11
. The activator often triggers Error 6 because of security changes in the newer OS that prevent unauthorized registry modifications. VBA Conflicts : If your system has Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) 7.1 If you have tried all six steps above
or newer (installed by SolidWorks 2021 SP2+ or other modern apps), older activators fail to recognize it and crash while trying to install their own version. Antivirus Interference : Antivirus software often flags activator files like SolidWorks.2017-2018.Activator.SSQ.exe as malicious and deletes critical components (e.g., FNPLicensingService64.exe ), causing the activation process to fail. Common Fixes
Follow these steps in order. Do not skip.
Historically, Error 6 was linked to leftover license files or corrupted previous installations. However, on a fresh Windows + fresh SolidWorks 2018 install, new causes have emerged:
| Cause | Explanation |
|-------|-------------|
| UAC & Windows Defender | Modern Windows (22H2 and later) aggressively blocks low-level registry writes that the SSQ activator relies on. |
| SmartScreen / AMSI | Antimalware Scan Interface can intercept the activator’s behavior, triggering Error 6. |
| Missing VC++ Redists | The activator expects certain Visual C++ runtimes (especially 2005–2010) that are no longer installed by default on new Windows versions. |
| Registry Virtualization | Windows may redirect the activator’s writes to a virtual store instead of the real HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, causing an overflow condition. |
| SSQ Activator Version | Older SSQ builds (pre-2019) have compatibility bugs with Windows 10/11 kernel changes. |
Using an SSQ activator exposes your machine to significant risks:
If you are a student, consider SolidWorks for Makers ($99/year) or the free student license through your educational institution. If you are a professional, request a trial license from a value-added reseller (VAR).