Solidworks 2018 Activator Ssq Error 6 New | UHD |
The SSQ Error 6 is a notorious stumbling block for users attempting to activate SolidWorks 2018 using the SSQ (SolidSQUAD) activator. While the core issue has existed for years, a wave of "Error 6" reports has resurfaced among users performing new installations on modern hardware (2024–2026) , particularly on Windows 10/11 with recent security updates.
This article explains exactly what Error 6 means, why it appears even on clean systems, and how to resolve it without reinstalling Windows.
SolidWorks 2018 had five service packs (SP0 to SP5). The SSQ activator was updated multiple times. Using an older activator (e.g., one released before SP3) on SP5 will trigger Error 6 because the memory signatures changed. The "new" activator (released late 2018 or 2019) is required for SP5.
If the activator fails to patch the hosts file automatically:
The "SolidWorks 2018 activator ssq error 6 new" is not a hardware failure—it is a permissions and compatibility error. The solution almost always lies in three actions:
If you have tried all six steps above and still see Error 6, the problem is likely a corrupt Windows SID (Security Identifier) or a deep-seated DLL conflict. In that case, the most time-efficient solution is to perform a clean Windows installation (not a reset), then install SolidWorks 2018 on a fresh OS before any other heavy software.
Remember: No activator is "new" forever. As Windows evolves, even the latest SSQ tool will eventually fail. The permanent fix is a legitimate license—one that never shows Error 6.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The author does not condone software piracy. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes.
The "Error 6" encountered with the SolidWorks 2018 SSQ activator often refers to an Access Violation or a compatibility conflict
, typically occurring on newer operating systems like Windows 11. Microsoft Learn Root Causes of Error 6 VBA 7.1 Conflict
: A primary driver for installation errors in older SolidWorks versions (pre-2021) is the presence of a newer version of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA 7.1)
. If your system already has a newer VBA installed from another application, the 2018 installer fails to recognize or overwrite it, triggering an error. Windows 11 Compatibility
: SolidWorks 2018 is not officially supported on Windows 11. Users attempting to install it on this OS frequently encounter activation flashes or "Error 6" due to mismatched system libraries. Permissions/Access Violation
: As noted in technical forums, the "Error 6" is often a generic code for an access violation, meaning the activator does not have the necessary administrative rights to modify the registry or system files. Google Groups Potential Fixes and Workarounds VBA Downgrade
: To resolve conflicts with newer versions of VBA, you may need to manually uninstall the current version. Navigate to the folder in your SolidWorks installation media, open the folder, and uninstall vba71_1033.msi before attempting the install again. Administrative Execution
: Ensure the SSQ activator is "Run as Administrator." Right-click the executable and select Run as administrator to prevent access violation errors. Registry Cleanup
: If a previous activation attempt failed, it might leave "dirty" registry keys. Professional users often recommend a clean uninstall and using a registry cleaner before re-running the SSQ activator. Repair Installation SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager solidworks 2018 activator ssq error 6 new
through the Windows Control Panel to attempt a repair if the software is installed but failing to activate. GoEngineer or managing Windows 11 compatibility mode for this version?
Error 6 during SolidWorks 2018 installation on Windows 11 - Facebook
When using the SSQ activator for SolidWorks 2018, "Error 6" (often accompanied by "Access Violation" or "Failed to open key for writing") typically stems from insufficient administrative permissions or antivirus interference during the registry modification phase. Recommended Fixes
Run as Administrator: Ensure you are running the SW2018_Network_Serial_Numbers_Installer.reg and the SolidWorks.2018.Activator.SSQ.exe by right-clicking them and selecting Run as Administrator.
Disable Security Software: Temporarily turn off Windows Defender or third-party antivirus. These programs often block the activator from writing to the Windows Registry, triggering Error 6.
License File Cleanup: Use the "Extensions" tab within the activator. Click Start next to "SolidWorks license file cleanup" and choose "Standalone license" to remove conflicting old entries before re-attempting activation.
Registry Reset: If the error persists, the registry key for that version might be corrupt. You can rename the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks folder in the Registry Editor (regedit) to force SolidWorks to create a clean path upon the next activation attempt.
Check Windows Compatibility: Ensure your operating system is compatible; for instance, older SolidWorks 2018 versions may encounter unexpected errors on Windows 11.
For a visual walkthrough on resolving license acquisition and registry-related errors in SolidWorks 2018: When installing SolidWorks 2017/2018, error 6 may occur. DeepUninstaller YouTube• Dec 24, 2024
Did you encounter this error during the serial number installation or while activating the server? When installing SolidWorks 2017/2018, error 6 may occur.
SolidWorks 2018 Activator SSQ Error 6 typically occurs due to compatibility issues with newer operating systems like Windows 11 or conflicts with existing software components
. Users report this "Access Violation" error when the activator fails to write necessary license information into the Windows Registry. Primary Causes of Error 6 OS Incompatibility : SolidWorks 2018 is not officially supported on Windows 11
. The activator often triggers Error 6 because of security changes in the newer OS that prevent unauthorized registry modifications. VBA Conflicts : If your system has Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) 7.1
or newer (installed by SolidWorks 2021 SP2+ or other modern apps), older activators fail to recognize it and crash while trying to install their own version. Antivirus Interference : Antivirus software often flags activator files like SolidWorks.2017-2018.Activator.SSQ.exe as malicious and deletes critical components (e.g., FNPLicensingService64.exe ), causing the activation process to fail. Common Fixes
SOLIDWORKS 2018 Activator SSQ Error 6: A Comprehensive Guide to Resolution
Introduction
SOLIDWORKS 2018 is a powerful 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software used by engineers, designers, and manufacturers worldwide. However, some users have reported encountering the SSQ Error 6 while trying to activate the software using the SolidSQUAD (SSQ) activator. In this write-up, we will explore the causes of this error, its implications, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to resolve the issue.
What is SSQ Error 6?
The SSQ Error 6 is an activation error that occurs when the SolidSQUAD activator fails to properly activate SOLIDWORKS 2018. This error is usually accompanied by an error message indicating that the activation process has failed.
Causes of SSQ Error 6
Several factors can contribute to the occurrence of SSQ Error 6, including:
Implications of SSQ Error 6
The SSQ Error 6 can prevent users from activating SOLIDWORKS 2018, which means they cannot:
Resolving SSQ Error 6: A Step-by-Step Guide
To resolve the SSQ Error 6, follow these steps:
Step 1: Update SolidSQUAD Activator
Step 2: Run the Activator as Administrator
Step 3: Disable Antivirus Software
Step 4: Repair Installation Files
Step 5: Contact SolidSQUAD Support
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, contact SolidSQUAD support for further assistance.
Conclusion
The SolidWorks 2018 Activator SSQ Error 6 typically occurs when the licensing server or activator fails to initialize properly, often due to leftover files from previous installations or interference from security software. Understanding Error 6
Error 6 is frequently an "Activation Library Initialization" error. In the context of SSQ (SolidSquad) activators, this typically means:
Initialization Failure: The activator cannot find or access the necessary DLL files required to start the license service.
Security Interference: Antivirus programs may identify the activator's files as threats and delete them during extraction, preventing the license server from running.
Version Conflicts: Residual files from older SolidWorks versions (like 2017) can conflict with the 2018 licensing process. Steps to Fix Error 6
If you encounter this error during installation or activation, follow these troubleshooting steps: Run License File Cleanup: Open the SSQ activator tools. Navigate to the Extensions or License Information tab.
Select SolidWorks license file cleanup and choose the "Standalone license" option to remove conflicting old license data. Verify Antivirus Exclusions:
Disable your antivirus or Windows Defender temporarily before extracting the activator files.
Ensure that files like server.exe or server.install haven't been quarantined or deleted by your security software. Manual License Server Start: Search for Services in the Windows Start menu. Locate the SolidWorks FlexNet license server.
Right-click it, select Properties, set the startup type to Automatic, and click Start. Registry Reset (Advanced):
If the error persists, you may need to reset the SolidWorks registry entries.
Open regedit and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks.
Caution: Always back up your registry before making changes, as this resets all user settings. Force Local Activation:
When running the activator (as Administrator), use the Set Serial Numbers button and choose Force Local Activation Serial Numbers to bypass remote server check issues. SOLIDWORKS Registry Reset
The SSQ method typically adds a block to the hosts file to redirect Dassault’s license validation servers (localhost). If your hosts file is read-only or contains duplicate entries, the activator hangs at 50-70% and throws Error 6.