# Troubleshooting license key problems

If you are having trouble running Saxon-SA for the first time, here is a list of the most common problems:

These all relate specifically to the Java platform.

- Don't use the `-jar` option on the command line. When Java applications are run using the `-jar` option, the classpath is ignored, and this means that the license key won't be found. Use the `-cp` option instead.

- The classpath must include the directory containing the license file. Don't include the filename of the license file, only the directory in which it is held. If you spell a filename incorrectly, you won't get an error message, the entry is simply ignored.

- Remember to request schema-aware processing. Use the `-sa` option on the command line if your stylesheet or query is schema-aware. If you don't, you'll get an error message saying that you need the schema-aware version of Saxon (even though that's what you loaded, you're running it in non-schema-aware mode.)

- If your license key does not arrive within 24 hours, it may be because it has been intercepted by your company's spam/virus checker. This is surprisingly common. Send us an email and we will try to find a way through your company's defences.

And some less common problems:

- Check that the filename is `saxon-license.lic`. Some mail systems, notably Yahoo, have been known to change the hyphen to an underscore in transit.

- If Saxon says the license key is invalid then it probably is. Very occasionally a license file gets corrupted in transit. Please ask for another copy (or we might issue you a new license).

- If Saxon says the license key has expired this generally means you are using a 30-day evaluation license and the expiry date has been reached. If it's taking you longer to evaluate the software than you planned, please send us an email explaining the circumstances before you apply for another license, otherwise the request may be refused.

- If Saxon says the license key does not cover the version of Saxon that you are using, this usually means that you purchased a standard license key which covers free upgrades for one year, and that year has elapsed. You will need to purchase an upgrade, which can be done online. Most paid-for licenses are permanent, but only in relation to software issued within one year of the purchase.

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