Why do I receive License Manager Error -114?

When starting MATLAB I receive the following error:

ERROR: License checkout failed.
License Manager Error -114
SIGN= keyword required but missing from the license certificate.
This is probably because the license is older than the application
You need to obtain a SIGN= version of this license from your vendor.

or

When in the debug log file on the license server I noticed the following error:

ERROR: 8:40:36 (MLM) Invalid license key (inconsistent authentication code)
…
8:42:05 (MLM) DENIED: "MATLAB" jsmith@jsmith-deb6-64  (SIGN= keyword required but missing from the license certificate. (-114,525))

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

This error can occur when the license file used by the network license manager has been updated to a newer Release but the license manager has not been updated. 

To resolve this, upgrade the network license manager to the latest version available. For instructions on this process, please see the link below:

How do I install or update the Network License Manager?https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/105860-how-do-i-install-the-network-license-manager

This error could be misleading if there is an options file involved and a concatenated license file that has a older releases on it. The user would see the last error that they encountered in the MATLAB window, in this case its a -114 error. The log file should show that the user received a -39 on one or more licenses and then a -114 on the last license. 

To resolve this issue add the computer to the HOST__GROUP or the USER to the USER_GROUP on the options file and enable group case insensitivity if needed.