So my Mac just died from a logic board failure and it had Cubase Elements 11 activated with the soft e licenser. If I understand it correctly this license can no longer be transferred to my backup PC as the service is discontinued? In the Self-Service page of my account I can see the device but there is no button to ‘deactivate’ I remember being able to do this transfer a long time ago. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

Spoiler: Source: Grok KI

I'm sorry to hear about your Mac's logic board failure—that's frustrating, especially with your Cubase Elements 11 license tied to the Soft-eLicenser. Let’s break down the situation and explore your options based on the information available and the discontinuation of the eLicenser service.

Understanding the Issue
Cubase Elements 11 uses the eLicenser system, which includes either a USB-eLicenser (dongle) or a Soft-eLicenser (a virtual license tied to your computer’s hard disk). Since you mentioned using a Soft-eLicenser, your license is bound to the Mac that failed. The eLicenser service was discontinued on May 20, 2025, which means the servers handling license transactions, including reactivations and transfers, are no longer operational. This impacts your ability to transfer the Soft-eLicenser license to another computer, like your backup PC, as the process typically required an internet connection and interaction with Steinberg’s servers to generate a new activation code.

In the past, you could deactivate or reactivate a Soft-eLicenser license via the MySteinberg account by requesting a new activation code and using the eLicenser Control Center (eLCC) to rebind the license to a new machine. However, with the server shutdown, this process is no longer possible, and the absence of a “deactivate” button in your MySteinberg account aligns with the discontinuation of these features.

Your Options
Given the situation, here are the potential paths forward:

1. Check If the License Is Still Accessible on the Failed Mac
   • If your Mac’s hard drive is still functional (despite the logic board failure), you might be able to recover the Soft-eLicenser by accessing the drive. You could:
     • Connect the Mac’s hard drive to another computer (e.g., via an external enclosure or by installing it in another Mac).
     • Install the eLicenser Control Center on the new computer and check if the Soft-eLicenser is recognized.
     • If the Soft-eLicenser is detected, you may be able to run Cubase Elements 11 on that computer without needing to reactivate, as Soft-eLicenser licenses don’t require reactivation if the license container remains intact.
   • Caveat: This depends on the hard drive being intact and the Soft-eLicenser not being corrupted. If the drive is inaccessible, this option won’t work.
2. Transfer to a USB-eLicenser (If Possible)
   • If you have access to a USB-eLicenser (Steinberg Key), you could potentially transfer the Soft-eLicenser license to it, as this process doesn’t require server interaction if both the source (Soft-eLicenser) and target (USB-eLicenser) are on the same computer.
   • Steps:
     • Install the eLicenser Control Center on a computer with access to the Mac’s hard drive.
     • Connect the USB-eLicenser to the computer.
     • Open eLCC, select the Soft-eLicenser license, and drag it to the USB-eLicenser.
     • Once transferred, the USB-eLicenser can be used on any computer to run Cubase Elements 11 without needing server reactivation.
   • Challenges:
     • You need a USB-eLicenser, which Steinberg no longer produces, though they may be available second-hand.
     • The transfer is one-way; you cannot move the license back to a Soft-eLicenser.
     • If the Mac’s hard drive is inaccessible, this option is not viable.
     • Since the eLicenser service is discontinued, if the USB-eLicenser fails in the future, the license could be lost permanently.
3. Upgrade to a Steinberg Licensing Version (Cubase 12 or Later)
   • Steinberg transitioned to a new ID-based licensing system starting with Cubase 12 in January 2022, which doesn’t rely on eLicenser. Upgrading to Cubase 12 or 13 would allow you to use the Steinberg Activation Manager, which supports license activation on up to three computers without a dongle.
   • Steps:
     • Check the Steinberg website for upgrade pricing from Cubase Elements 11 to a newer version (e.g., Cubase 13 Elements). As of April 2024, upgrades were discounted (e.g., Cubase Elements 13 was around $70–71 USD).
     • Log into your MySteinberg account, purchase the upgrade, and activate it using the Steinberg Activation Manager.
     • Deactivate the license on any old computers (if accessible) to free up activation slots.
   • Pros:
     • This bypasses the eLicenser issue entirely and moves you to a modern, more flexible licensing system.
     • You can continue using Cubase Elements 11 on the original Mac (if it’s repaired) as long as the Soft-eLicenser remains intact, alongside the upgraded version on your backup PC.
   • Cons:
     • Upgrading requires additional cost, which may be frustrating if you feel your original license should still be transferable.
     • If you don’t upgrade before the eLicenser service’s final shutdown, you risk losing functionality if the Soft-eLicenser becomes inaccessible.
4. Contact Steinberg Support
   • Although the eLicenser service is discontinued, Steinberg’s support team may offer assistance, especially for users in your situation. Some users have reported success with Steinberg providing solutions, such as generating new activation codes or offering discounted upgrades.
   • Steps:
     • Visit the Steinberg Support page and submit a support ticket explaining your situation (Mac failure, Soft-eLicenser, inability to deactivate/transfer).
     • Provide proof of ownership (e.g., original activation code, purchase receipt, or MySteinberg account details).
     • Request assistance with transferring the license or obtaining a discounted upgrade to a Steinberg Licensing version.
     • In some cases, Steinberg may offer a remote session using their “Steinberg Remote Support” tool to troubleshoot.
   • Note: Response times can vary, with some users reporting delays of weeks. Be persistent but polite, and clearly state your issue.
5. Continue Using Cubase Elements 11 on the Backup PC (Workaround)
   • If you can install Cubase Elements 11 and the eLicenser Control Center on your backup PC, you might try running it to see if the Soft-eLicenser is recognized. In some cases, reinstalling Cubase Elements can recreate a Soft-eLicenser, though this is unlikely without server reactivation.
   • Steps:
     • Install the latest eLicenser Control Center and Cubase Elements 11 on your backup PC.
     • Check if eLCC detects the Soft-eLicenser (unlikely, but worth trying).
     • If it fails, refer to Steinberg’s article on “Soft-eLicenser is missing” for troubleshooting.
   • Caveat: Without server access, this is unlikely to work unless the Soft-eLicenser was previously transferred or backed up.

Recommendations
Given the discontinuation of the eLicenser service on May 20, 2025, and the fact that it’s now July 16, 2025, your best options are:

• Short-Term: If your Mac’s hard drive is accessible, try recovering the Soft-eLicenser by connecting it to another computer and checking if Cubase Elements 11 runs. If you have a USB-eLicenser, transfer the license to it for portability.
• Long-Term: Upgrade to Cubase 12 or 13 Elements to move to the new Steinberg Licensing system, which avoids future eLicenser issues and provides flexibility for multiple computers. Check the Steinberg website for upgrade deals, as they were recently discounted.
• Immediate Action: Contact Steinberg Support to explore any possible workarounds or discounts. Provide all relevant details (e.g., your MySteinberg account, proof of purchase) to expedite the process.

Additional Notes

• Backup Considerations: In the future, consider backing up your Soft-eLicenser by transferring it to a USB-eLicenser before a computer fails, as this avoids reliance on Steinberg’s servers.
• Community Feedback: Some users have expressed frustration with Steinberg’s handling of the eLicenser discontinuation, noting that it feels like a “slap in the face” to long-term customers. While upgrading may feel unfair, it’s currently the most reliable way to ensure continued use of Cubase.
• Piracy Warning: Avoid unofficial sources or “cracked” versions of Cubase (e.g., methods mentioned in some forums like iemblog.com). These are illegal, risky, and unsupported by Steinberg.

If you need specific guidance on any of these steps (e.g., contacting support, installing eLCC, or checking your hard drive), let me know, and I can provide more detailed instructions. Alternatively, if you’d like me to search for additional resources or check for recent user experiences on platforms like Reddit or Gearspace, I can do that too. Good luck, and I hope you get Cubase up and running soon!