Unable to refresh license key information or update system

[tstanton]

The license for my 3CX system has just been renewed but the system is unable to refresh the license information. It shows the following:
"3CX failed to establish a TCP connection to activation.3cx.com.
Ensure that the local or border firewalls are configured to allow outbound traffic to activation.3cx.com"

I am also unable to download updates through the updates page.

Is there a solution to this problem short of a backing up and running a fresh install?

 

[cobaltit]

I'm guessing you are on an old version that doesn't have the updated SSL to talk to the activation server. Care you share what version you are on? And if you just renewed your license I'm guessing it was not through a partner? Because I know we would have helped with this if you had purchased/renewed your license through us.

 

[ChrisC_3CX]

@tstanton
First thing to check would indeed be the version you are running as cobaltit has already mentioned. If you are already running the latest version, you will then have to make sure that the 3CX Instance in question can reach our activation server at activation.3cx.com:443

An easy test you can do to determine if this is the case, apart from using the "Refresh License Key Information" button, is to try the following:

• If the 3CX Host is Linux, SSH to it and run: wget https://activation.3cx.com:443
• If it's a Windows Host, launch a web browser from within the Host and use this url: https://activation.3cx.com:443
(You should get a blank page)

 

[Alphabetic]

And obviously ensure your ports are open out.

https://www.3cx.com/docs/manual/firewall-router-configuration/

 

[tstanton]

@tstanton
First thing to check would indeed be the version you are running as cobaltit has already mentioned. If you are already running the latest version, you will then have to make sure that the 3CX Instance in question can reach our activation server at activation.3cx.com:443

An easy test you can do to determine if this is the case, apart from using the "Refresh License Key Information" button, is to try the following:

• If the 3CX Host is Linux, SSH to it and run: wget https://activation.3cx.com:443
• If it's a Windows Host, launch a web browser from within the Host and use this url: https://activation.3cx.com:443
(You should get a blank page)

Thank you for responding. When I run wget, it's connecting fine.

The installed version is 16.0.1.273.

 

[ChrisC_3CX]

@tstanton
The 3CX version you are running is quite old and will undeniably cause an issue when contacting our activation servers.

You will have to update 3CX to the latest stable version which currently is v16.0.8.9. Before you do absolutely anything, I recommend taking a full backup and moving it away from the machine as a precautionary measure. Then, ideally during out of office hours, SSH to the machine and run the following command as root:
bash <(wget -qO- https://downloads-global.3cx.com/downloads/misc/ActivationPatch2020/v160.sh)

Let me know how ti goes.