--- title: "How to Activate a Unified License" source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/accounts-licensing/how-to-activate-a-unified-license/" description: "The Unified License Key is a single key that activates all Unified products in your plan. Instead of tracking a different license key for each plugin or product…" vertical: "Software" area: "Accounts & Licensing" date: "2026-08-31" last_modified: "2026-10-16" --- # How to Activate a Unified License The Unified License Key is a single key that activates all Unified products in your plan. Instead of tracking a different license key for each plugin or product, you simply copy one key and use it everywhere. Once your license key is activated, you’ll then be able to connect your site to the purchased product, such as Kadence, The Events Calendar, LearnDash, Give, etc… In this example, we’ll walk through activating a **Kadence Essentials** bundle. ### Log In to Your Account To retrieve your newly purchased license key, you’ll need to log into the Liquid Web Customer Portal. Initially, you might not have a password, so here are the steps to follow: 1. Go to [https://software.liquidweb.com/](https://software.liquidweb.com/) 2. Click “Sign in with a code by email” 3. Enter your account email (the one you used on your order) 4. Check your inbox (check your spam folder too!) 5. Copy the six-digit code from the email 6. Paste or enter the code on the portal login screen Here is what the initial login screen looks like: ![Liquid Web Software - Login screen](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-21-at-3.34.06-PM.png) ### Copy Your License Key Once successfully logged in, you will be presented with the Portal Dashboard. Click on **License** to view your license key. ![Liquid Web Software - License screen](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-21-at-3.37.23-PM-scaled.png)The license key will be masked for security purposes. Simply click the Copy icon on the right to copy the key to your clipboard. ### Download a Premium Product To get started, you only need to download and install **one** premium product from your bundle 1. In your portal dashboard under Downloads, find the primary product you want to install first. 2. Click **Download** to save the product `.zip` file to your computer. 3. Keep the file compressed. **Do not unzip** the folder. ### Installing Premium Products on WordPress - Log in to your WordPress administrative dashboard. - Go to **Plugins > Add New Plugin**. - Click the **Upload Plugin** button at the top of the screen. - Click **Choose File**, select the `.zip` file you just downloaded, and click **Install Now**. - Once the upload finishes, click **Activate Plugin**. Here’s detailed [link](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/accounts-licensing/download-plugin-and-theme-files/) that explains how to do that. ### Activate Your New Key Once your first premium product is installed and active on your website, you can connect your site to the portal using your Unified License Key. ### The Software License Manager In WP Admin, go to **Settings** → **Liquid Web Products**. Paste your license key in the Unified License field and click **Activate**. ![Liquid Web Software License Manager](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-20-at-4.40.04-PM-1024x963.png)### Activate Your Product Once your key is activated, you’ll now see the “Installed Features” or products page. On the left, you’ll see the available plugins for each product. On the right sidebar, you’ll see the products you’ve purchased that are awaiting activation. ![Liquid Web Software Manager - Products](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-21-at-3.52.24-PM-scaled.png)In our example, we’re going with **Kadence Essentials**. To activate the product for this site, click the **Activate** button. Tip Before clicking **Activate**, log into the Liquid Web Customer Portal in another tab. This will allow for easy access to add your site to the portal. After clicking the Activate button, a new tab will open to the Liquid Web Customer Portal, prompting you to add your site. ![Liquid Web Customer Portal - Add a site](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-21-at-4.01.20-PM-scaled.png)Click “Add site”. Your site will be activated for the product, and you will be returned to WP Admin. Your site should now show your product as active with a green dot in the right sidebar. ![Liquid Web Software - Active product](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-21-at-4.03.56-PM.png) Tip You can also manually add your site to a product in the Customer Portal and then click the Refresh icon located at the top of the right-sidebar of the Software License Manager. ![Liquid Web Software Manager - Refresh](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-21-at-4.28.31-PM.png) ### Activating Additional Products Once your Unified License Key is active on the site, you do not need to repeat the download and upload process for the rest of your tools! #### Activating Products Directly from the Manager - Go to **Settings → Liquid Web Products** in your WordPress dashboard. - You will see a catalog of all premium plugins and add-ons covered by your subscription tier. - Any product not yet installed will show a **Deactivated** toggle or an **Install & Activate** button. - Switch the toggle on (or click **Install**). WordPress will download, install, and license that product automatically from the cloud in the background.