jieun1100

Join Date 07/2025

Fences 5 won't activate – Steam user, no response from support for 5 days

One PC only, no hardware change, no VPN, NOTHING – still locked out

I'm seriously frustrated with this. I purchased Fences 5 via Steam, used it for about half a year, then it's been completely unusable for weeks now.

Every time I try to interact with my fences, I get an activation popup saying Fences is already activated on another computer. I click "Continue", which is supposed to log out from the "other computer" (which I don't have) and activate fences on current computer, but it just shows the same message again and again – it doesn't go away, and nothing gets activated.

Here’s the truth:

- This is my only PC

- I’ve never installed or activated Fences on any other computer

- I’ve never changed any hardware, not even monitors

- I have no other user accounts on this computer

- I’ve tried EVERYTHING:

- Reinstalled Fences from Steam

- Cleared Steam’s download cache

- Launched Steam and Fences as Administrator

- Disabled antivirus

- Not using a VPN or proxy

- Created a ticket stating the issue and asking for help to be completely ignored for a week

- And still, I can't move, resize, or interact with fences on my desktop because of this ridiculous looped activation error

If this is what support looks like for paid users, that’s unacceptable. I’m simply trying to use what I legally paid for. Please fix this.

Attached is the message I see.

Translation:

Fences can't be activated, it's currently being activated on another computer.

Clicking Continue will disable the other computer and activation will proceed on this computer.

To see what additional PC purchase options are available, click Steam.

Error pop-up

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Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. First, do know that, Stardock was on Summer Holiday last week. May I know your ticket number so that I can refer it to Support.

Also for Steam activation issue please refer to this guide: https://support.stardock.com/space/SHC/1260093488/Activation+Error:+205#Steam-Purchases

Thank you,
Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

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Hello,

The ticket number is: SSN-89332.

Please read the translation of the attached screenshot.

Thank you,

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Hello,
I have forwarded your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Thank you for the assistance but I regret to tell you that it has not worked. The exact same issue persists and I would appreciate further assistance with this. If any information is required, I will try my best to provide it promptly.

Thank you,

Jieun.

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Hello,
I have forwarded your problem/question again to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Hi jieun1100,

I've responded to your support request (SSN-89332) and am happy to continue working with you there.

If you can reply to that support ticket, please indicate which of the suggested steps you have tried. If none of these solutions work, then please also include the Activation Log file as basj has suggested. This could be helpful if something else is the problem.

https://stardock.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SHC/pages/2493022220/Collecting+Activation+Logs

Thank you and best regards,

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Support Specialist

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I apologise for the late reply. The methods I've tried so far are:

- methods mentioned above in my original post

- manually activating SasSteam.exe (this pops up the same error message as well).

You can find the log from the pasted text below and I've censored my Steam ID for my privacy.

[2025-07-24T12:59:34] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SasSteam.exe'.

[2025-07-24T12:59:34] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T12:59:36] Info : Submitting Steam Activation request...

[2025-07-24T12:59:38] Error : SteamActivate (MachineMismatch) 'The machine data does not match the existing license.'.

[2025-07-24T12:59:41] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Steam?steamId=**************#limit'.

[2025-07-24T12:59:53] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SdDisplay.exe'.

[2025-07-24T12:59:53] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:13] Info : Submitting Steam Deactivate Registration request...

[2025-07-24T13:00:14] Info : Steam Deactivate Registration request succeeded!

[2025-07-24T13:00:14] Info : Submitting Steam Activation request...

[2025-07-24T13:00:14] Error : SteamActivate (MachineMismatch) 'The machine data does not match the existing license.'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:15] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Steam?steamId=**************#limit'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:15] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SdDisplay.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:15] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Loaded package file 'c:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : Starting the Scheduler, flags=65533

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Notify_GracePeriod'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Notify_GracePeriod_Subscription'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_FinalSubscribeWarning'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_FinalTrialWarning'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_FirstSubscribeWarning'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_FirstTrialWarning'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_GracePeriod'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_GracePeriod_Subscription'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_NoLicense'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_SecondTrialWarning'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Add Task: 'UpdateCheck' not scheduled. (Update Filter)

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'ValidateLicense'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : [Scheduler] Schedule Task: 'SuspendWatchdog' at 2025-07-24T21:00:41.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Welcome'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Detected a Steam Install, we're going to pass this to SasSteam.exe.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SasSteam.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:41] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:42] Info : Submitting Steam Activation request...

[2025-07-24T13:00:43] Error : SteamActivate (MachineMismatch) 'The machine data does not match the existing license.'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:44] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Steam?steamId=**************#limit'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:44] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SdDisplay.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:44] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:50] Info : [ShowUI] Process Ran: 'SasSteam.exe', in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences' successfully.

[2025-07-24T13:00:50] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:00:50] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:27] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SasSteam.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:27] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:28] Info : Submitting Steam Activation request...

[2025-07-24T13:27:29] Error : SteamActivate (MachineMismatch) 'The machine data does not match the existing license.'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:29] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Steam?steamId=**************#limit'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:30] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SdDisplay.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:30] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:32] Info : Submitting Steam Deactivate Registration request...

[2025-07-24T13:27:33] Info : Steam Deactivate Registration request succeeded!

[2025-07-24T13:27:33] Info : Submitting Steam Activation request...

[2025-07-24T13:27:33] Error : SteamActivate (MachineMismatch) 'The machine data does not match the existing license.'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:34] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Steam?steamId=**************#limit'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:34] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SdDisplay.exe'.

[2025-07-24T13:27:34] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

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I have forwarded your feedback to Support for their review and assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

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Hi jieun1100,

Your Steam ID may be instrumental to resolving this. However, as I understand not being comfortable sharing it here, you can try the following guide to reset the license activation:

Error: 212 or Product Keeps Prompting to Activate - Documentation - Stardock Help Center

After deleting the folder as explained in the above link: To be thorough, please also reboot, reinstall Fences from Steam, and then try launching the program.

If the problem remains after attempting the above solution, I encourage you to respond to your support request email with the complete activation log. As stated previously, I will be happy to work with you further through the support ticket.

Best regards,

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Customer Support Specialist

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Hi Adam,

I have tried the above mentioned method and the issue persists. Please find the complete activation log below.

[2025-07-25T00:43:46] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SasSteam.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:43:46] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:43:47] Info : Submitting Steam Activation request...

[2025-07-25T00:43:47] Error : SteamActivate (MachineMismatch) 'The machine data does not match the existing license.'.

[2025-07-25T00:43:48] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Steam?steamId=76561198839888058#limit'.

[2025-07-25T00:43:49] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SdDisplay.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:43:49] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:43:53] Info : Submitting Steam Deactivate Registration request...

[2025-07-25T00:43:53] Info : Steam Deactivate Registration request succeeded!

[2025-07-25T00:43:53] Info : Submitting Steam Activation request...

[2025-07-25T00:43:53] Error : SteamActivate (MachineMismatch) 'The machine data does not match the existing license.'.

[2025-07-25T00:43:53] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Steam?steamId=76561198839888058#limit'.

[2025-07-25T00:43:53] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SdDisplay.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:43:53] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Info : Loaded package file 'c:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : Starting the Scheduler, flags=65533

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Notify_GracePeriod'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Notify_GracePeriod_Subscription'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_FinalSubscribeWarning'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_FinalTrialWarning'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_FirstSubscribeWarning'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_FirstTrialWarning'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_GracePeriod'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_GracePeriod_Subscription'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_NoLicense'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'Remind_SecondTrialWarning'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Add Task: 'UpdateCheck' not scheduled. (Update Filter)

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Adding Pending Task: 'ValidateLicense'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : [Scheduler] Schedule Task: 'SuspendWatchdog' at 2025-07-25T08:44:08.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Welcome'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Info : Detected a Steam Install, we're going to pass this to SasSteam.exe.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SasSteam.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:08] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:09] Info : Submitting Steam Activation request...

[2025-07-25T00:44:10] Error : SteamActivate (MachineMismatch) 'The machine data does not match the existing license.'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:10] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:10] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:10] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Steam?steamId=76561198839888058#limit'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:10] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SdDisplay.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:10] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:12] Info : [ShowUI] Process Ran: 'SasSteam.exe', in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences' successfully.

[2025-07-25T00:44:13] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:13] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:21] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version '5.8.9.3', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\program files (x86)\stardock\fences\Fences.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:21] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:21] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Welcome'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:21] Info : Detected a Steam Install, we're going to pass this to SasSteam.exe.

[2025-07-25T00:44:21] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SasSteam.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:21] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:22] Info : Submitting Steam Activation request...

[2025-07-25T00:44:23] Error : SteamActivate (MachineMismatch) 'The machine data does not match the existing license.'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:23] Trace : Displaying UI with key 'Steam?steamId=76561198839888058#limit'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:23] Info : Initialize: Product ID '2675', Product Name 'Fences5', Version 'SasSteam', Company Name 'Stardock', Process Name 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\SdDisplay.exe'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:23] Info : Loaded package file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences\Default.spak', Version '5'.

[2025-07-25T00:44:25] Info : [ShowUI] Process Ran: 'SasSteam.exe', in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Fences' successfully.

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Please try again at your convenience.

Best regards,

Adam McGuinness
Stardock Customer Support Specialist

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The issue is solved. Thank you so much for your assistance.

Best regards,

Jieun Kim.

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