License Activation

Your license key is what unlocks Switchboard Pro. Without it, you can browse the modules, but you can’t enable any of them. Let’s get you set up.

Finding Your License Key#

After purchase, you’ll receive your license key in two places:

1. Email — Check the purchase confirmation email
2. Account Dashboard — Log in at wpswitchboard.com/account

The key looks something like this: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

Keep it somewhere safe. You’ll need it for each site where you install Switchboard Pro.

Activating Your License#

1. Go to Switchboard in your WordPress sidebar
2. You’ll see the license activation panel right at the top
3. Paste your license key
4. Click Activate

That’s it. The page will refresh and show “Licensed” in the header. Now you can start enabling modules.

How Activations Work#

Each license has a set number of activations based on your plan. When you activate on a site, it uses one activation slot.

You can see your remaining activations in your account dashboard at wpswitchboard.com/account.

Deactivating a Site#

Moving to a new domain? Shutting down a staging site? You’ll want to free up that activation slot.

1. Go to Switchboard → Settings
2. Scroll to the License section
3. Click Deactivate License

The slot is now free to use elsewhere.

Tip: If you forget to deactivate before deleting a site, the activation will automatically release after 30 days of inactivity. But it’s cleaner to deactivate manually when you can.

Transferring to a New Domain#

If you’re moving your site to a new domain:

1. Deactivate on the old domain first
2. After migration, activate on the new domain

Same license key, just a new activation.

Staging and Development Sites#

Localhost environments (127.0.0.1) are automatically recognized and don’t count against your activation limit.

For other staging or development environments, they will use an activation slot. Simply deactivate the license when you’re done testing to free up the slot.

What Happens When Your License Expires?#

Your license includes one year of updates and support. After that:

• The plugin keeps working — everything you’ve enabled stays enabled
• Updates stop — you won’t receive new features or security patches
• Support ends — no more help from our team

We recommend renewing to stay current with WordPress changes and security updates. Renewal is available at a discount in your account dashboard.

Troubleshooting License Issues#

“Invalid license key”

Double-check you’ve copied the entire key with no extra spaces. If it still fails, make sure the key is for the Pro version, not a different product.

“License activation limit reached”

You’ve used all your activation slots. Either deactivate an old site or upgrade your plan for more slots.

“Could not connect to license server”

This usually means your server can’t make outbound HTTPS connections. Check with your host — some security plugins or firewalls block this. The activation server URL needs to be reachable.

License shows “Unlicensed” after it was working

Try deactivating and reactivating. If you recently changed your domain or moved the site, you’ll need to activate again with your key.

License sorted? Let’s look at the Dashboard and see how to navigate Switchboard.