"You can’t activate for evaluation because you evaluated it previously. Contact sales to get a temp key" message in SolarWinds Platform

This article explains why a SolarWinds Platform product license can disappear from License Manager after an expired evaluation is removed and a new key is available. In these cases, a row in the Licensing_LicenseFilters table (for that product’s evaluation license) hides the module from License Manager. Removing the specific filter entry and refreshing License Manager restores the product so the new commercial or temporary license key can be activated successfully.

When you previously removed an expired evaluation license for a product, SolarWinds created a filter entry in the Licensing_LicenseFilters table with LicenseType = Evaluation and a tag such as Expired license removed. This filter hides that product’s evaluation license (and, in some cases, new licenses of the same product) from License Manager. As a result, the UI shows the message “You can’t activate <Product> for evaluation because you evaluated it previously. Contact sales to get a temp key for <Product>.” and the new license key cannot be activated until the filter is removed.
  

Step 1 – Identify the filter entry

1. On the Main Polling Engine, open Database Manager.
2. Connect to the SolarWinds database.
3. Expand the database and scroll to the Licensing section.
4. Double‑click Licensing_LicenseFilters.
5. Locate the row for the affected product, for example:
   • ProductName = '<ModuleName>' (for example WPM, UDT, etc.)
   • LicenseType = 'Evaluation'
   • Tag = 'Expired license removed' (or similar)
     

   • Step 2 – Remove the filter row

     You can remove the row via the UI or with a SQL query.

     Option A – Database Manager UI

     1. In Licensing_LicenseFilters, click Enable table editing.
     2. Highlight the row for the affected product (for example ProductName = 'WPM', Tag = 'Expired license removed').
     3. Right‑click → Delete selected row.
     4. Save/commit the change (Execute if prompted).

     Option B – SQL query

     1. In Database Manager, right‑click the SolarWinds database → New Query.
     2. Run the following (replace `<ModuleName

        ` with the actual product short name, for example `WPM` or `UDT`):

        -- Scripts are not supported under any SolarWinds support program or service.
        -- Scripts are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. SolarWinds further
        -- disclaims all warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties
        -- of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The risk arising
        -- out of the use or performance of the scripts and documentation stays with you.
        -- In no event shall SolarWinds or anyone else involved in the creation,
        -- production, or delivery of the scripts be liable for any damages whatsoever
        -- (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business
        -- interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising
        -- out of the use of or inability to use the scripts or documentation.
        
        DELETE FROM [dbo].[Licensing_LicenseFilters]
        WHERE ProductName = '<ModuleName>'
          AND LicenseType = 'Evaluation'
          AND Tag = 'Expired license removed';

         

     3. Verify that no row for that product remains in Licensing_LicenseFilters.

        Step 3 – Refresh License Manager

        1. In the SolarWinds web console, go to Settings → All Settings → License Manager.
        2. Refresh the page or log out and back in.
        3. Confirm the product now appears under My Products or is available to activate.

        Step 4 – Activate the new license key

        1. In License Manager, select the affected product.
        2. Click Activate (or Add/Upgrade License).
        3. Enter the new license key and required registration information.
        4. Complete activation and verify that the module is licensed and working as expected.