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: [圖片] 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 uploa…

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

問題

Anshul_Namdev 2026年04月13日11:48 4

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

話題		回覆	觀看
license activation Docs & Tutorials	0	67	2025年10月27日
Activation key Questions	1	81	2026年01月13日
Activation key already used on new instance Questions	2	172	2025年12月21日
Activation key has already been used on a new fresh instance Questions	1	99	2026年04月18日
Activation Key has already been used on this instance Questions	8	1014	2025年09月10日

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

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