Having issues updating key

The place to discuss linux version of MakeMKV
Post Reply
GasMedium
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2025 6:47 pm

Having issues updating key

Post by GasMedium »

Hi all,

I am having trouble updating the registration key on my headless Linux server. I was originally on 1.17.9 when I got the “This application version is too old” error. I realized the issue was with the key not being updated so I waited until today but now that the new key is out and I am on 1.18.1, I am still receiving the error.

I have completely uninstalled, reinstalled, and attempted to update the key manually via ~/.MakeMKV/settings.conf (though this was a blank file). ChatGPT has been no help troubleshooting either.

I’m happy to post any error messages or terminal prompts but I’m semi new to this and I am really only seeing the “this application version is too old” error.

TLDR; I don’t know what I’m doing wrong when I try to update the registration key on my Linux server.
dcoke22
Posts: 3917
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2020 11:25 pm

Re: Having issues updating key

Post by dcoke22 »

I don't use MakeMKV on a headless linux box, but I know others have had this trouble in the past.

https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=28684

There might be more threads, but that's the first one found.
16442496
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2016 12:47 pm

Re: Having issues updating key

Post by 16442496 »

I don't know about "headless server stuff", but does this help?

echo 'app_Key = "T-PuNYycrTTHW4QEOfhDrMuJMpojNqmY5CGuESAKXzHvwBvBcXhtsJLj4g6OAXd1zfzk"' >> ~/.MakeMKV/settings.conf
Debian 13
Xfce 4.20
MakeMKV 1.18.1 (Reg)
2x Pioneer BD-ROM BDC-202
jwmarrs
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2025 2:33 am

Re: Having issues updating key

Post by jwmarrs »

New to makemkv, but not to linux. Trying to get makemkvcon 1.18 working on a headless Debian installation (on a 2010 Mac Mini). I am getting the "This application version is too old" message:

Code: Select all

jwm@Media-Server:~$ makemkvcon info
MakeMKV v1.18.1 linux(x64-release) started
Debug logging enabled, log will be saved as file:///home/jwm/MakeMKV_log.txt
This application version is too old.  Please download the latest version at http://www.makemkv.com/ or enter a registration key to continue using the current version.
I have placed the beta key here:

Code: Select all

jwm@Media-Server:~$ cat .MakeMKV/settings.conf
app_key = "T-jsDE3X@ERyvYhavmw0qZ0oVC09x0EMwJ6y2QPwdXEkat28@C7VBXTtTIkNPab9AtV"
app_ShowDebug = "1"


I've tried both the beta key, as well as the key offered on this page (which is the key used above): https://www.makemkv.com/buy/

That page has this message:
Warning! August 2025 UPDATE: Came here because of the "program too old" message? This is our fault, the program will be updated soon. You don't have to buy it now in order to make it work, please use the free time-limited key below to activate the program. Or, if you really like the program and had a chance to try it - proceed with the purchase link below. Thanks!
So at this point, I'm going to wait it out, and see if they fix the bug that seems to be causing the problem in 1.18.
Woodstock
Posts: 10597
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 11:21 pm

Re: Having issues updating key

Post by Woodstock »

The key you posted is NOT the current key found in the message MakeMKV is free while in beta, so it won't work past July 31, 2025. Try it with the current key.
nypaulie
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2021 3:20 pm

Re: Having issues updating key

Post by nypaulie »

The “newest” key I could find was good only until Jan ‘25. I was willing to shell out the $60, but I read that someone did that and still couldn’t get it to run so I set my clock back. This works!
nypaulie
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2021 3:20 pm

Re: Having issues updating key

Post by nypaulie »

So what IS the current key?
d00zah
Posts: 1674
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:23 pm

Re: Having issues updating key

Post by d00zah »

nypaulie wrote:
Wed Aug 20, 2025 5:28 pm
So what IS the current key?
2 posts up...

MakeMKV is free while in beta


where it always is.You should bookmark it if you rely on the beta key.
jwmarrs
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2025 2:33 am

Re: Having issues updating key

Post by jwmarrs »

Woodstock wrote:
Wed Aug 20, 2025 2:00 am
The key you posted is NOT the current key found in the message MakeMKV is free while in beta, so it won't work past July 31, 2025. Try it with the current key.

Code: Select all

 jwm@Media-Server:~$ makemkvcon reg T-PuNYycrTTHW4QEOfhDrMuJMpojNqmY5CGuESAKXzHvw
BvBcXhtsJLj4g6OAXd1zfzk
Key not found or invalid

Code: Select all

jwm@Media-Server:~$ cat .MakeMKV/settings.conf
app-key = "T-PuNYycrTTHW4QEOfhDrMuJMpojNqmY5CGuESAKXzHvwBvBcXhtsJLj4g6OAXd1zfzk"
app_ShowDebug = "1"
jwm@Media-Server:~$
jwm@Media-Server:~$ makemkvcon info
MakeMKV v1.18.1 linux(x64-release) started
Debug logging enabled, log will be saved as file:///home/jwm/MakeMKV_log.txt
This application version is too old.  Please download the latest version at http
://www.makemkv.com/ or enter a registration key to continue using the current ve
rsion.
jwm@Media-Server:~$
Maybe the message on the "buy" page means there is a bug in `makemkvcon` 1.18?
Warning! August 2025 UPDATE: Came here because of the "program too old" message? This is our fault, the program will be updated soon. You don't have to buy it now in order to make it work, please use the free time-limited key below to activate the program.
Except, the key on that page doesn't seem to work either.

Or more likely, I'm doing it wrong or misunderstanding something (or both).

I did get the key from the beta page you linked working on macOS, in the makemkv UI. But my optical drive is on the other (headless Debian) machine.
16442496
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2016 12:47 pm

Re: Having issues updating key

Post by 16442496 »

I think it is that "app-Key"

And correct is "app_Key"

Check my post up.
Debian 13
Xfce 4.20
MakeMKV 1.18.1 (Reg)
2x Pioneer BD-ROM BDC-202
Post Reply