Problem

This article pertains to the issue where users are unable to start the SOLIDWORKS CAM add-in despite having enabled the add-in. Here are some of the symptoms of the issue:

1. The ‘SOLIDWORKS CAM’ item is checked at Tools > Add-ins, but the software appears unresponsive and does not provide the SOLIDWORKS CAM CommandManager tab.
2. No errors are triggered, and when returning to Tools > Add-ins, the ‘SOLIDWORKS CAM’ item is unchecked.
3. This issue can occur even after users have made use of SOLIDWORKS CAM before.
4. This behavior is seen most commonly with SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard products, which come with an on-subscription SOLIDWORKS CAD license. Note: The SOLIDWORKS CAM license does expire if the SOLIDWORKS CAD license goes off-subscription

When the issue happens, SOLIDWORKS is experiencing a conflict in the activation information that would usually entitle on-subscription customers to the SOLIDWORKS CAM Standard product.

Solution 1: SOLIDWORKS Standalone Deactivation and Reactivation

For SOLIDWORKS Standalone licenses, deactivate the license and reactivate with the steps below:

1. In SOLIDWORKS 2020 & newer, go to Help > Licenses > Deactivate. For SOLIDWORKS 2016, go to Help > Deactivate Licenses. For SOLIDWORKS 2015 and older, go to Help > Transfer License 

   

2. On the Product Activation window that comes up, click "Select All" to select all licenses

3. Choose whether to transfer the license automatically over the internet or manually via e-mail, enter an email address, and click “Next”

   

4. SOLIDWORKS will now begin to transfer the licenses

5. Once it has finished transferring the licenses, click "Finish" from the "Deactivation succeeded" window that comes up to close SOLIDWORKS. Note: If all licenses were deactivated, this list should be blank.

   

6. Relaunch SOLIDWORKS and follow the Activation Prompts to reactivate the license(s)
7. Try using SOLIDWORKS CAM again

Solution 2: SOLIDWORKS Network License Reactivation

1. For Network Licenses, follow the steps in the article below to reactivate the licenses:
   How To Reactivate a SolidNetWork License Manager Server – Hawk Ridge Systems
2. Launch SOLIDWORKS to try using SOLIDWORKS CAM again

If the issue persists, please contact Technical Support to verify the subscription status of the license(s).

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.