Persistent License Error 5005 after clean install

I am receiving a "Licensing Error 5005: You do not have a valid license file" every time I try to launch MATLAB R2026a. I have an active Academic License (Individual) provided by my university.

Here is the list of troubleshooting steps I have already completed:

1. Uninstalled MATLAB completely, ensuring the "uninstall user preferences" box was checked.
2. Manually deleted leftover license folders in AppData\Roaming\MathWorks and Program Files\MATLAB to completely clear an old expired trial license.
3. Downloaded the R2026a installer fresh from my MathWorks account.
4. Ran the installer on my standard home network (without using a university VPN). It successfully authenticated my university email and allowed me to select my active Academic License (40874130) from the list.
5. The installation finished successfully without any errors.

Despite the 100% clean install and the installer recognizing my active license during setup, launching the software still gives Error 5005. How can I fix this activation issue?

[Rik]

If you don't get a response here, you should reach out to your university IT help desk. They will in turn contact Mathworks support if they are unable to find a solution

[Jane]

I've got the same error when I was trying to start MATLAB R2024b yesterday. It was all good berfore yesterday. Then I tried to install the version 2026a, same error.

Answer 1

[Jane]

I contacted Mathworks support and here is the answer they gave. It solved my issue. Hope it helps.

This error occurs when the license information can not be read properly or has been corrupted. Therefore, new license information must be generated. To generate new license information, please refer to the following article

Why do I receive the error "You do not have a valid license file?" when I try to launch MATLAB?

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/1819010