"C:\Program Files\Tenable\Nessus\nessuscli.exe" fetch --challenge Use code with caution. /opt/nessus/sbin/nessuscli fetch --challenge Use code with caution. macOS: /Library/Nessus/run/sbin/nessuscli fetch --challenge Use code with caution.
If you:
Log in to the Tenable Support Portal from a computer with internet access. Navigate to the section.
Finally, restart your Nessus daemon or service to load the changes. Open your local browser, navigate to your Nessus web console interface, and verify that the scanner shows a valid, active license status. Best Practices to Prevent Future Activation Locks nessus offline activation license already in use full
Navigate to the using an internet-connected device. Log in with your registered organization credentials. Click on the My Products or Licenses tab. Locate your specific Nessus activation code from the list.
To fix this issue, you must reset the activation code so Tenable's servers recognize it as available. Because your scanner is offline, you cannot perform this reset directly from the application interface. You must use the Tenable Community Provisioning Portal. Step 1: Reset the License in the Tenable Portal
: On a machine with internet access, go to the Nessus Offline Registration page . Enter your Activation Code and the Challenge Code you just generated. "C:\Program Files\Tenable\Nessus\nessuscli
Nessus, developed by Tenable, is one of the most widely adopted vulnerability assessment platforms in the cybersecurity industry. For organizations operating in air-gapped or highly restricted environments (e.g., government, military, financial services), the method is essential. It allows users to generate a challenge code from an isolated scanner, transfer it to an online machine to obtain a license, and then apply the license back on the offline host.
The activation code status will change back to "Available." It is now ready to link to your new offline machine footprint. Step 2: Generate a New Challenge Code
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. If you: Log in to the Tenable Support
Avoid rolling back virtualized Nessus instances to snapshots created before the license registration. This desynchronizes the local license state from the Tenable registry.
: You cannot simply "move" a license offline. If it's flagged as in use, you must often manually reset it through the Tenable Support Portal Tenable Community before the new offline activation will work. Plugin Management
Step 4: Apply the License and Plugins to the Offline Scanner
Open your terminal or command prompt as an administrator and execute the specific command for your operating system: /opt/nessus/sbin/nessuscli fetch --challenge Use code with caution.
If the license is already active, you may see a line like: "A license is already installed" or "Offline activation failed: license already in use" .