---
title: SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard Initialization Error 72
description: When starting up SOLIDWORKS, this specific error appears and SOLIDWORKS does not start.
---
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# SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard Initialization Error 72
## When starting up SOLIDWORKS, this specific error appears and SOLIDWORKS does not start.
Activation Wizard Initialization Error 72 on SOLIDWORKS start-up is caused by one of the following:
- A service of the Activation Manager is not starting correctly.
- Client does not have the Activation Manager installed or accidently removed the Activation Manger form the computer.
## Fix 1: Set the required services to start automatically
Set both the FlexNet and SOLIDWORKS Licensing services to start automatically using Windows Services.
1. Open the start menu, search for "services" or use (Win+R) and run "services.msc".
2. Scroll down and find "FlexNet...." (There are two, depending on if your system is x64 or not.)
3. Change the start-up type to "Automatic", if it is not already set to "Automatic".
4. Next, find "SOLIDWORKS Licensing...." in the same location.
5. Set its **Startup type** to **Automatic**, if it is not already.
6. Right-click each service and select **Start** if its status is not already **Running**.
## Fix 2: Reinstall the SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard
If the error persists after correcting the service startup types, reinstall the SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard from the SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal.
1. Navigate to your SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal
2. Under the Download heading, there should be a Download and Updates section.
3. On the Download page, select your current version of SOLIDWORKS.
4. Under Product, download the "SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard"
5. After downloading the SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard, run the installation.
6. After the installation has completed, start SOLIDWORKS and it should be fixed.
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