Troubleshooting Tip: Error 'License is invalid for the current VM Configuration' when using incorrect product license

FortiGate will display the error 'License is invalid for the current VM Configuration' when trying to upload a license file from a different product, such as FortiAnalyzer or FortiFirewall, in a FortiGate VM.

The pop-up 'Failed to update VM license' appears as below when uploading a new license file via FortiGate VM GUI:

Execute 'get system status' to validate SN and license status:

get system status
Version: FortiGate-VM64 v7.0.9,build0444,221121 (GA.M)
Virus-DB: 1.00000(2018-04-09 18:07)
Extended DB: 1.00000(2018-04-09 18:07)
INDUSTRIAL-DB: 6.00741(2015-12-01 02:30)
IPS Malicious URL Database: 1.00001(2015-01-01 01:01)
Serial-Number: FGVMEXXXXXXXXX
License Status: Invalid

It is not possible to install the license of another product on the FortiGate VM even when the expiration date is still active.

Use a valid FortiGate license for the Firewall.

Run the following CLI command to verify the status of the VM license and use the information mentioned in the 'valid', 'status', and 'code' fields to find out the reason for the invalid license status:

diagnose hardware sysinfo vm full

For example, if those 3 fields are combined to show the value below, it indicates that the VM is unlicensed. "status: 3" indicates an error.

Note:

A code value outside of the 2xx-3xx range usually indicates a license issue is ongoing. If the license is managed by FortiFlex, the code value ranges will be different (1,57,58, etc.). Consult VM license to find more information to determine the status of the VM license, including FortiFlex, using the value of fields such as 'code', 'status', and 'valid'.

Related articles:

Technical Tip: FortiFirewall (FFW) vs FortiGate (FGT)