Hi everyone, I’m running n8n in a Proxmox LXC container (installed via the community helper script). My previous installation got corrupted, so I set up a fresh instance. When I now try to activate my license key, I get the following error: Activation key has already been used on this instance …

welcome to the n8n community @AME If I were you, I’d double-check that the persistent data folder (the .n8n directory) was actually wiped. Especially on LXC or Proxmox, the app might be new, but it’s often still mounting the old data where those identity files live. I’d try starting it up with a co…

Hi @AME Welcome! I think this might bring some help: [image] Problem with License (Self Hosted) Questions Describe the problem/error/question Yesterday I installed self-hosted N8N for the first time. After receiving the license via email, when I try to up…

Thanks for your replies. The installation was indeed already registered. I only noticed this after your post, @Anshul_Namdev . It’s still a bit strange that a fresh installation is already registered. Apparently, the registration is tied to the root user’s email address. Thanks again to everyone!

@AME consider marking that as a solution so that future lookers know what’s the right answer. Cheers!

Activation key has already been used on this instance – after fresh reinstall

Questions

Anshul_Namdev April 13, 2026, 11:48am 4

Hi @AME Welcome!
I think this might bring some help:

Topic		Replies	Views
license activation Docs & Tutorials	0	69	October 27, 2025
Activation key Questions	1	82	January 13, 2026
Activation key already used on new instance Questions	2	177	December 21, 2025
Activation key has already been used on a new fresh instance Questions	1	100	April 18, 2026
Activation Key has already been used on this instance Questions	8	1017	September 10, 2025

Activation key has already been used on this instance – after fresh reinstall

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