The message ‘One or more codes failed’ means that SPSS could not convert the authorisation code into a valid licence. The specific cause is usually shown in the error line immediately above this message.
Common causes include:
- the authorisation code belongs to a different SPSS version or product;
- the wrong activation method is being used;
- the License Authorization Wizard does not have sufficient permissions;
- the connection to IBM’s licence servers is being blocked;
- online activation has failed.
Follow the solutions below in the order shown.
1. Check the complete error message and authorisation code
First read the error line immediately above ‘One or more codes failed’. It may state, for example, that the authorisation code does not belong to the installed product or version.
Check whether the code is intended for:
- the installed SPSS version, such as SPSS 28, 29, 30, 31 or 32;
- IBM SPSS Statistics and not SPSS Amos or SPSS Modeler;
- an Authorized User License and not a Concurrent or Network licence.
You can find your SPSS version under Help and About. On a Mac, select About SPSS Statistics from the SPSS Statistics menu.
If you have installed multiple SPSS versions, open the License Authorization Wizard belonging to the version you want to activate.
2. Use the License Authorization Wizard
In SPSS, select File, Manage License and then Launch License Wizard. Do not select Login with IBMid.
Login with IBMid is intended for IBM SPSS Statistics Digital, the subscription version of SPSS. Activate an SPSS licence purchased from SURFspot using the authorisation code in the License Authorization Wizard.
3. Run the wizard with administrator rights
Windows
- Close SPSS completely.
- Open the Start menu and search for IBM SPSS License Authorization Wizard.
- Right-click the wizard.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Enter the authorisation code again.
If you cannot find the wizard, open the SPSS installation folder. It is usually located at:
C:\Program Files\IBM\SPSS\Statistics\<version>\
Open the License Authorization Wizard from the folder belonging to the SPSS version you want to activate.
macOS
- Close SPSS completely.
- Open Finder.
- Go to Applications.
- Open the IBM SPSS Statistics folder.
- Start License Authorization Wizard.
- Give permission if macOS asks for administrator credentials or a password.
4. Check your internet connection
The License Authorization Wizard must be able to connect to IBM’s licence servers.
Try the following:
- make sure your internet connection is stable;
- temporarily disconnect your VPN;
- try another trusted connection, such as your home network or a mobile hotspot;
- check that your computer’s date, time and time zone are correct;
- ask your network administrator whether a firewall, proxy or network filter is blocking activation.
If your network requires proxy details, select Proxy Server Settings in the License Authorization Wizard and enter the details provided by your network administrator.
Do not permanently disable security software. Use another trusted network or ask your network administrator for assistance instead.
5. Activate SPSS by email
If online activation does not work, you can send the request to IBM by email from the License Authorization Wizard.
- Allow the online activation attempt to finish or fail.
- Select Next.
- Choose the email licence authorisation option.
- Copy all the text shown by SPSS.
- Paste the text unchanged into a new email.
- Use the subject: License Authorization
- Send the email to spssls@us.ibm.com.
- Wait for IBM’s automated reply.
- Copy the license code from the reply.
- Enter this code in the License Authorization Wizard and complete activation.
Do not change the text generated by SPSS or remove any lines. IBM processes this email automatically.
6. The License Authorization Wizard does not work correctly
If the wizard does not open, stops responding or immediately displays the error again:
- Close SPSS and all related processes.
- Restart your computer.
- Open the wizard from the installation folder for the correct SPSS version.
- Check that SPSS has been installed completely.
- On a Mac, check under System Settings, Privacy & Security whether macOS is blocking the wizard.
- Run the activation again with administrator rights.
7. Activation still does not work
Send us the following information so that we can investigate:
- your SPSS version;
- your operating system and its version;
- a screenshot of the complete error message, including the line above ‘One or more codes failed’;
- the SPSS lock code;
- the troubleshooting steps you have already completed.
You can find the lock code by opening the License Authorization Wizard, entering your authorisation code and continuing to the email activation option. The lock code is included in the text subsequently displayed by SPSS.