Most trial users activate Archicad successfully in just a few minutes. If you're experiencing an issue, follow this step-by-step guide to identify and resolve the most common installation and activation issues.
Try these quick fixes first — they resolve most issues in under 2 minutes. Still stuck? Each card links to the full section.
Download
Trouble getting the installer itself?
- Try a different network connection.
- Use a different browser.
- Download directly from the Graphisoft website.
Activate
Installed, but the trial license won't work?
- Sign in with the Graphisoft ID that received your trial.
- Verify the license is assigned to your account.
- Check that the installed language version matches your license region.
- Confirm that you hasn't already used an Archicad trial before.
See all Activation Issues →
Good to know about your trial
Your 30-day trial period starts when you receive the trial confirmation email — not when you first sign in or launch Archicad.
Installation Issues
I receive an error during installation
Installation errors are commonly related to missing components or files being blocked during setup.
Try these steps first
- Restart your computer.
- Run the installer as Administrator.
- Temporarily disable antivirus software.
- Retry the installation.
Technical details
Typical causes include:
Archicad installed but won't start
If Archicad installs successfully but nothing happens when you launch it, the installation may be incomplete or blocked by other software.
Try these steps first
Technical details
Startup failures after installation or updates may be caused by:
I can't download the installer
Download failures are usually caused by internet connectivity issues, firewall settings, or security restrictions.
Try these steps first
- Try another network connection.
- Use a different browser.
- Download directly from the Graphisoft website.
- Try again later.
Technical details
Update failures may appear as:
- Download Error 60
- Interrupted downloads
- Blocked Graphisoft services
- Firewall restrictions
I'm using macOS and cannot install Archicad
macOS installation issues are often related to permissions, damaged downloads, or operating-system restrictions.
Try these steps first
- Download the installer again.
- Restart your Mac.
- Verify the installer file.
- Check Full Disk Access permissions.
Technical details
Common macOS installation issues include:
Activation Issues
Archicad says "No License Found"
This is the most common activation issue.
Before contacting Support, check the following:
- You are signed in to Archicad.
- You are using the Graphisoft ID that received the trial license.
- The license is assigned to your account.
- You installed the correct Archicad version.
- The installed language version matches your license region.
Typical examples:
- INT license → INT version ✅
- USA license → USA version ✅
- INT license → USA version ❌
- GER license → INT version ❌
Check language version compatibility
I received the trial email, but I still can't activate
Receiving the trial confirmation email does not automatically activate the software.
Verify that:
- You are signed into Archicad.
- You are using the same Graphisoft ID that received the email.
- You are using the latest supported trial version.
- The trial license is assigned to your account.
Cloud licenses activate automatically once you sign in with the correct Graphisoft ID.
Verify license assignment
I can see the license in my account, but Archicad doesn't recognize it
This usually indicates one of the following:
- The wrong Graphisoft ID is signed in.
- The installed language version does not match the license.
- The license assignment needs to be refreshed.
Recommended actions:
- Sign out of Archicad.
- Sign back in.
- Verify license assignment.
- Check language version compatibility.
I have multiple licenses and activation still fails
In some situations, having both a Trial license and a Commercial license assigned to the same user may cause license detection problems.
Recommended actions:
- Review current license assignments.
- Verify which license is assigned to your Graphisoft ID:
- Log in to the Graphisoft ID Portal using your Graphisoft ID.
- Navigate to the Licenses or Subscriptions section to view details about your service contracts (e.g., Archicad, Forward, or subscriptions).
Contact Support
Before contacting Support to submit a request, prepare:
- Screenshot of the error message
- Graphisoft ID
- Archicad version
- Language version
- Operating system version
