License key rejections happen quite often. Though in 99/100 cases this is caused by human error. Therefore, make sure you keep these points in mind:
- Check if you've entered the proper license key
This happens to Steam users mostly as they have to enter about 5 license keys. If the game asks for the license key of the Deniz Doga DLC, and you are entering the MS Oceana DLC, then the key gets rejected. Therefore, make absolutely sure you have copied the proper corresponding key. - Check for any typo's, do this 3 times
O's look like 0's, I's look like l's, 7's look like T's and so forth. Make sure that the key you've entered does not contain any typo's. If you are a Steam user, use the "Copy key to clipboard" button within the license key window. This eliminates the chance of typing it wrong and also works much faster as you can simply paste it by pressing CTRL + V. - Steam users: Make sure the key is displayed fully
The license key box is sometimes shrinked in size. This causes the license keys to be displayed like "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-X...". This does not mean the license key ends with "..." but means that the rest of the key is hidden from display. If you enlarge the license key window, you can see the full key. - Check if you've entered the correct license key
Yes, I'm adding this for a second time because I can't stress it enough. One time, someone was entering a Euro Truck Simulator key... Yeah... That won't work. - Illegal keys
Shame on you! Don't you dare to ask for support if one of those don't work.
How to find your Steam license keys:You can find your SSE product keys by doing a right click on the game inside your Steam games library, and choosing "View CD key"
It will pop up a window with your license key displayed within.
How to find your ShipSim.com license keys:Your purchased license keys and download links are permanently registered in your account on www.shipsim.com
You can find them in the Orders and Downloads section after logging into the website.
Other online webshops usually work the same way, but remember that their customer databases are not connected to ShipSim.com's.
How to find your hard copy license keys:If you own a physical copy of the game, then the key is usually printed on a sticker behind the disk or on the back of the booklet.
Note to German Steam usersThere is an issue in the German version of the game where the text within the window that requests the license key is longer than the window itself. This makes it impossible to see which specific license key the game requests. You could try to copy and paste every license key in there repeatedly until the game accepts it, but it's easier to temporarily change the game's language to English.
You can do this by right clicking on the game within your Steam library and choosing "properties" from the bottom of the menu. Then within the window that opens, switch to the language tab and change the language to English. Now load the game and enter the license keys. Once you quit the game afterwards, you can change the language back to German.
