Solidworks Host File Block Fix Direct
: You can ping the server by IP but not by its name (or vice versa).
Click on the left panel to open the security rules window. Click Inbound Rules , select New Rule , and choose Port .
Open the from your Windows Start Menu. Navigate to the Server List tab. solidworks host file block fix
Delete these lines entirely from the document. Alternatively, type a hashtag ( # ) at the very beginning of the line to turn it into a comment, which disables the block. Step 4: Save and Flush the DNS Cache Click > Save (or press Ctrl + S ). Close Notepad.
When SolidWorks attempts to connect to a specific web address, Windows checks the Hosts file first. By associating a specific server address with a local IP address (like 127.0.0.1 ), you can redirect or block network traffic right at the workstation level. This is highly useful for troubleshooting loopback connections, isolating licensing bugs, or managing strict offline environments. Step-by-Step Guide to the SolidWorks Hosts File Fix : You can ping the server by IP
The "hosts file block" is a common fix used when SolidWorks cannot connect to its license server (Error -15, 10, 10061) or when DNS issues prevent the software from "finding" your workstation or server. 🛠️ The Direct Fix: Modifying the Hosts File
In the bottom-right corner of the open dialog, change the file type filter from Text Documents (*.txt) to All Files ( . ) so the hosts file becomes visible. Edit the File Scroll to the bottom of the file. Open the from your Windows Start Menu
While the list varies, common target domains include:
To ensure your specific licensing issue is completely resolved, tell me:
By default, Notepad only looks for .txt files. In the bottom-right corner of the Open dialog box, change the dropdown menu from to All Files ( . ) .
If you are using SolidWorks on a corporate network, ensure your Windows Defender Firewall has open inbound and outbound exceptions for ports 25734 and 25735 . These are the default communication ports used by the SolidWorks licensing service. If these ports remain closed, editing the Hosts file will not fully resolve your connectivity roadblocks.
