---
title: "Manual activation of PKI Express"
description: "Manually activating PKI Express on Linux when network activation fails, by exchanging an activation request and file with support."
canonical: "https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/en-us/articles/pki-express/setup/manual-activation"
locale: "en"
product: "PKI Express"
last_updated: "2026-07-14"
---

# Manual activation of PKI Express

If during the installation of [PKI Express](https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/en-us/articles/pki-express) the activation procedure fails, please follow the steps
below to manually activate PKI Express.

> **Note**
>
> These instructions refer to installation on Linux environments only. To activate PKI Express on Windows,
> either over the network or manually, use the *PKI Express Configuration Manager* tool (**pkiemgr.exe**)

To activate PKI Express manually, start by acquiring the activation *request code*:

```sh
pkie activate LacunaPkiLicense.config --request
```

A file named **pkie-activation-request.pem** will be saved on the current folder. Contact us through
our [Support Center](http://lacuna.help) attaching the file.

Upon receiving the activation file back from support (**pkie-activation.pem**), copy the file to the
current directory and execute:

```sh
sudo pkie activate
```

Or, if you prefer, execute the command passing the path to the activation file:

```sh
sudo pkie activate --file /path/to/pkie-activation.pem
```