Ever gotten one of those frantic calls from a customer, saying, “We renewed our Tableau licenses, but we’re getting this message that we need to renew again!” – Yeah, it’s like that awkward moment when your car signals you to check the oil even though you just had a service. Well, I recently received one of these calls, and here’s how we handled it.
So, here’s what happened. A customer renewed their Tableau Server licenses this summer, but their server apparently hadn’t gotten the memo. It was still flashing a license expiration warning. While I like to think it’s just Tableau’s way of keeping things interesting, it turns out there’s a more practical explanation— something to do with refreshing product keys.
For those of you nodding along, let’s dive into why this happens and how to fix it.
What’s Happening?
When you renew your licenses, you might assume everything magically updates. But if you’re not using Server ATR (Authorization to Run) or Updatable Subscription Licensing (USL), your Tableau Server doesn’t automatically refresh those product keys for you. Instead, you need to give it a nudge and manually refresh the keys to update the expiration dates.
If you are using Server ATR/USL, then Tableau is supposed to handle this in the background — no manual intervention needed. But, if you’ve recently been upgraded to USL, you might need to activate a new product key from the Tableau Customer Portal instead of relying on the old one. Think of it like upgrading from an old flip phone to a smartphone—different process, but more convenient once you’re used to it. The process is a little different, but once you’re up and running, things should go smoothly.
How to Get Tableau Server Back in License Shape
If Tableau Server is still crying about your expired license even after renewal, don’t panic.
Here’s the step-by-step guide to get things back on track:
Check Your License Expiration Date
Head over to Tableau Server’s TSM (Tableau Services Manager) and take a peek at the license expiration date by either using the web interface or running tsm licenses list in the CLI. Compare it with the expiration date in the Tableau Customer Portal. If the dates don’t match, we’ve got some refreshing to do.
Refresh the Product Key
Now it’s time to refresh those keys manually (if ATR/USL isn’t in the picture). If your subscription hasn’t expired yet, refreshing won’t change the product key itself, but it’ll update the expiration date. It’s like giving your server a friendly reminder, “Hey, we’ve got time left!” If your subscription has expired, you’ll need to grab a new product key from the Customer Portal.
Use the TSM Web Interface or CLI to Refresh
You can either use the TSM web interface or the CLI (whichever floats your boat). In the web interface, just log into TSM, go to Configuration and Licensing, and hit “Refresh All.”
Happy Days! Tableau should now acknowledge the renewed license.
If you’re a fan of the command line, because typing feels more powerful ;), here’s how you can do it with the CLI:
- Open your terminal.
- Run the following command to list your current licenses:
tsm licenses list
This will give you a rundown of the licenses and their expiration dates. - Next, run the command to refresh the product keys:
tsm licenses refresh
Give it a second, and you should see your license expiration dates updated.
For Offline Environments
If your Tableau Server is offline, you’ll need to visit the Tableau Customer Portal to get the Offline Activation ID. Make sure all product keys are activated before starting Tableau Server to avoid any “unlicensed users” drama. You can further check it here.
Still Stuck? Call for Backup!
If refreshing the product key doesn’t fix the issue, it might be time to contact Tableau Support. They’ll help you unravel the mystery.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Forget to Refresh!
While Tableau’s licensing system is built to give you flexibility, it sometimes forgets to remind itself that you’ve got more time. So, remember to refresh those product keys after renewing, especially if you’re not using Server ATR or USL. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a “license expired” limbo that no one wants to deal with.
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