---
title: Installing a replacement license key
description: You can replace your existing PingFederate license key by importing a new license file using the PingFederate administrated console.
component: pingfederate
version: 13.1
page_id: pingfederate:administrators_reference_guide:pf_install_replacement_license_key
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingfederate/13.1/administrators_reference_guide/pf_install_replacement_license_key.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingfederate/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: March 13, 2024
section_ids:
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
---

# Installing a replacement license key

You can replace your existing PingFederate license key by importing a new license file using the PingFederate administrated console.

## Steps

Start PingFederate and sign on to the administrative console.

1. Go to **System > Server > License**.

2. In the **License** window, click **Choose File**, select the license file, and click **Import**.

   ### Result:

   If the license is for the wrong version of PingFederate or is found to be invalid for some other reason, PingFederate displays an error message and keeps the existing license regardless of whether the existing license has expired.

   If the new license does not include support for features found in your existing license, or if there is some other potential problem with the license, PingFederate advises and prompts you on whether to continue.

   When the license file is verified for use with your PingFederate instance, the license information is saved in the `<pf_install>/pingfederate/server/default/conf/pingfederate.lic` file.

   The previous license file is renamed with a timestamp in the same `conf` directory.

3. If you have a clustered PingFederate environment, go to **System > Server > Cluster Management** and click **Replicate Configuration**.

   |   |                                                                                                                                                 |
   | - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | You must use the **Replicate Configuration** window to initiate the transmission of the license file from the console node to all engine nodes. |

   The engine node saves the new license information to the `<pf_install>/pingfederate/server/default/conf/pingfederate.lic` license file and activates it immediately. No restart is required.

   For any engine node that was offline at the time of the import, when it restarts and joins the cluster, it consumes the new license information from the console node and applies the same processing logic.

   |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
   | - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | PingFederate no longer maintains its license information in the `<pf_install>/pingfederate/server/default/data/.pingfederate.lic` file, which is referred to as the secondary license file in the previous versions of PingFederate. The `.pingfederate.lic` file, if any, is ignored. |