Overview

After re-installing Kerio Control on an NG box, the license key cannot be installed and the below error is experienced when attempting to install the same license key that was used before:

The above error is usually happening when the incorrect image file (the ISO version) is used to deploy Kerio Control on a hardware box.

Kerio Control boxes are only meant to be upgraded using the .img files or restored to factory defaults using the intended .bin files. While an ISO image can technically be deployed on a Kerio Control box, the box will not work correctly.

The ISO image is only meant for Installing Software Appliance on bare-metal server.

Solution

In case you have incorrectly deployed the Kerio Control ISO on a Kerio Control hardware box, you can solve the issue with the below steps:

1. Restoring the Kerio Control Box NG series default configuration using a USB flash drive - this will restore the box to the 9.3.6 p1 version
2. Once the above is done, you can Install your Kerio Control Hardware box and the license key should now be accepted without an issue (as long as it is meant to be installed on a hardware box)
3. Upgrade your installation using the correct .img files

Summary

By upgrading the Kerio Control NG box using the Binary IMG file instead of the ISO image, the device should recognize the license key and allow you to use it as intended.

FAQ

1. What is the cause of the license key not being recognized?
   The issue is likely due to the installation of an ISO image intended for bare-metal deployments on the hardware box.
2. What should I do if the issues persist after following the above steps?
   If the issues persist after upgrading, contact the support team for further assistance.