Clicking "Activate Key" Does Not Respond

Why does License Key Manager not respond when trying to activate Ham Radio Deluxe after purchase?

In some cases, we’ve found that users previously attempted to install “cracked” or pirated copies of Ham Radio Deluxe. These unauthorized versions often alter your computer’s hosts file (located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts). Specifically, they insert an entry that redirects our official license server address to 127.0.0.1 (your own PC). This prevents the legitimate activation process from reaching our servers, which means your purchased key cannot be validated.

To resolve this, you will need to manually remove the incorrect entry from your hosts file so the software can properly contact our license server. Once corrected, your purchased activation key will work as intended. Instructions for editing the hosts file can be found in Microsoft’s official documentation, or you may wish to ask a qualified technician for assistance.

Quick Fix (What to Check): Can’t Activate Ham Radio Deluxe?

When the activation fails - due to an attempt to install a cracked version of the software - it's likely that your computer’s hosts file was changed by a previous “cracked” copy of the software. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Open Notepad as Administrator (right-click → Run as administrator).

2. Go to File > Open, then browse to:

   C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\
   

3. Open the file called hosts (you may need to change “Text Documents” to “All Files” to see it).

4. Look for any line that includes 127.0.0.1 and **quicklicensemanager.com — delete that line only.

5. Save the file and close Notepad.

6. Restart Ham Radio Deluxe and try activating again with your purchased key.

The tech support team is not authorized to reverse the damage done by attempts to install cracked or pirated versions of Ham Radio Deluxe®.

Important Note on Software Piracy

We want to emphasize that using or distributing cracked copies of Ham Radio Deluxe—or any other software—is a violation of copyright law. Software piracy is a crime. Beyond the legal risks, pirated versions often contain malicious modifications that compromise your computer’s security and stability. By purchasing a legitimate license, you not only support continued development but also ensure you receive secure, fully functional software and official customer support.

Cracked or pirated versions of software almost always contain malware. As such, it is unsafe to install software that is cracked or pirated.