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GFI FaxMaker Configuration Wizard Fails to Add First Administrator (License Limitation Error)

Overview

During initial GFI FaxMaker configuration, the license key may be accepted but the Configuration Wizard can fail when adding the first administrator with a license limitation error. After this failure, the web/admin interface may also show an access-denied message because no FaxMaker Administrator has been successfully registered yet.

This is most commonly caused by existing Licensed users entries already consuming seats (including entries that persist across reinstall attempts), selecting an Active Directory (AD) group that exceeds the seat limit, or AD lookup/permission issues for the FaxMaker service account. No confirmed product defect or version-specific fix has been identified for this behavior.

Solution

Symptoms / Exact error messages

  • Configuration Wizard: The user/group was not registered since this would violate license limitations.
  • Web/admin login: You don't have access to this page.

Why this happens

  • Licensed capacity appears fully consumed (for example, existing entries under FaxMaker Configuration → Licensed users, including leftovers from earlier configuration attempts that can persist across reinstalls).
  • An AD group is selected instead of a single user, and the group membership count exceeds the licensed seat limit.
  • FaxMaker services cannot reliably query Active Directory due to insufficient permissions, which can interfere with correct user/group registration.

Note: The web/admin message You don't have access to this page. is expected until at least one FaxMaker Administrator is successfully registered.

1) Clear existing “Licensed users” entries, then re-run the wizard

  1. Open FaxMaker Configuration on the FaxMaker server.
  2. Go to Licensed users.
  3. If any users/groups are listed (even if this is a new install attempt), remove the existing entries.
  4. Re-run the Configuration Wizard.
  5. Add only the intended FaxMaker Administrator first (for example, <domain>\<admin_user>), then continue the wizard.

Expected result: The wizard proceeds past the administrator/users step without the license limitation error.

2) Confirm you are adding the correct AD object (user vs. group)

  • When selecting the administrator in the wizard, confirm the selection resolves to a single user (for example, <domain>\<admin_user> or <admin_user>@<domain>), not a group.

If licensing via an AD group

  • Use an AD security group (not a distribution group).
  • Avoid broad groups (for example, “all users” directory groups). Large membership can immediately exceed license capacity and trigger would violate license limitations.

3) Validate Active Directory query permissions for the FaxMaker services

Even if Windows services appear to be running, insufficient AD query rights can prevent correct user/group registration.

  1. Identify the account running the relevant FaxMaker services (for example, <domain>\<service_account>).
  2. Ensure the account has sufficient rights to query Active Directory.
    • Baseline approach: Use an account with Domain Admin-equivalent rights for AD queries (or explicitly grant equivalent permissions required for directory lookups in your environment).
  3. Restart the FaxMaker services.
  4. Re-run the Configuration Wizard and attempt to register the administrator again.

4) Re-test admin portal access

  1. After the wizard successfully registers at least one FaxMaker Administrator and configuration completes, open your admin/web interface (use your actual URL/path), for example: 
    https://your_instance.domain.com/<faxmaker_admin_path>
  2. Sign in with the registered administrator.

Expected result: The login no longer shows You don't have access to this page.

Validation checklist

  • The Configuration Wizard proceeds past the administrators/users step without The user/group was not registered since this would violate license limitations.
  • At least one FaxMaker Administrator is present in the configuration.
  • The web/admin portal allows access and does not show You don't have access to this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know this is the same issue?
You see The user/group was not registered since this would violate license limitations. in the Configuration Wizard when adding the first admin/user, and/or the admin portal shows You don't have access to this page. after setup.
2. The license key is accepted during setup—why do I still get a license limitation error?
The license key can be valid while FaxMaker still believes licensed capacity is already consumed (for example, due to existing entries under FaxMaker Configuration → Licensed users from prior attempts) or because a large AD group is being added and exceeds the seat limit.
3. Reinstalling didn’t fix it. Why?
Reinstalling may not remove previously created configuration/database entries that still count toward registered/licensed users. Reviewing and clearing Licensed users entries is a targeted way to remove seat-consuming entries.
4. What’s the safest way to proceed in the wizard?
Clear any existing Licensed users entries first, then re-run the wizard and add one intended administrator user (not a group) as the first admin. Confirm the selected object resolves to a single user identity.
5. What if we license via an AD group?
Use an AD security group and ensure it contains only the users intended to be licensed. Avoid selecting very large groups that can exceed license capacity and trigger would violate license limitations.
6. What if the issue persists after clearing Licensed users and selecting the right user/group?
Verify the FaxMaker service account can reliably query Active Directory (baseline: Domain Admin-equivalent AD query rights), restart the FaxMaker services, and re-run the Configuration Wizard. If it still fails, capture a screenshot of Licensed users and note the exact wizard step where the error occurs for further analysis.
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  1. Priyanka Bhotika

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