Change the file type dropdown from "Text Documents ( .txt)" to **"All Files ( .*)"**. Select the hosts file and click Open . 3. Remove Blocked Entries
: You can ping the server by IP but not by its name (or vice versa).
; otherwise, this fix will only work until the server reboots and receives a new IP from the router. Security Software: solidworks host file block fix
A host file is a text file used by the operating system to map hostnames to IP addresses. It's a crucial file that helps your computer communicate with other devices on a network. The host file is usually located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc directory on Windows systems.
In professional settings, the hosts file is used as a quick, temporary fix to bypass DNS problems. Change the file type dropdown from "Text Documents (
The Windows hosts file is a plain text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses. It is used to override DNS settings. Sometimes, security software, network policies, or previous installations of unauthorized software can add entries to this file that intentionally block access to specific websites—in this case, SolidWorks activation servers. When this happens, you might see errors like: "Cannot connect to the server" "License activation failed"
Navigate to the following path: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ . Remove Blocked Entries : You can ping the
When SolidWorks attempts to connect to the SOLIDWORKS activation server , or a SolidNetWork License (SNL) server , local network restrictions or misconfigurations can cause the application to fail.
Look for lines at the bottom of the document that include solidworks , 3ds , or flexnet . 127.0.0.1 ://solidworks.com 127.0.0.1 ://solidworks.com 0.0.0.0 ://solidworks.com