If your Malwarebytes subscription shows “expired” even though you’ve already paid and your plan is still active, you’re not alone. Many users of Malwarebytes encounter this issue due to sync problems, account mismatches, or minor software glitches. The good news is that in most cases, the problem is easy to fix.
In this article, you’ll learn why this happens and how to resolve it step by step.
Why Malwarebytes Shows Expired When It’s Active
Before jumping into solutions, it’s important to understand the possible causes behind this issue:
License key not synced properly
Signed into the wrong account
Software not updated
Temporary server or activation error
Device limit reached
Corrupted installation files
Sometimes, the subscription is fully active in your Malwarebytes account portal but the desktop application fails to verify it correctly.
Step 1: Check Your Malwarebytes Account
The first thing you should do is confirm your subscription status directly from your account.
Go to the official Malwarebytes website.
Log in to your account dashboard.
Check the subscription details under “My Subscriptions.”
If your plan shows as active there, the issue is likely with the software on your device rather than your subscription itself.
If you don’t see an active subscription, ensure you are logged into the correct email address used during purchase.
Step 2: Log Out and Log Back In
Sometimes the software loses connection with your account server. Logging out and back in can refresh the license verification.
Open Malwarebytes.
Click on the settings or account section.
Log out of your account.
Close the application completely.
Reopen it and log back in.
After logging in, check if the subscription status updates.
Step 3: Manually Reactivate the License
If logging out doesn’t work, try reactivating the license manually.
Open Malwarebytes.
Go to the “Account” or “Subscription” tab.
Enter your license key again.
Click Activate.
Make sure you enter the license key exactly as provided in your confirmation email. Even one incorrect character can prevent activation.
If you purchased directly through the Malwarebytes website, you can find your key in your purchase confirmation email.
Step 4: Update Malwarebytes to the Latest Version
An outdated version of Malwarebytes can sometimes fail to communicate properly with activation servers.
To update:
Open Malwarebytes.
Go to Settings.
Click on “Check for updates.”
Install any available updates.
Restart your computer.
After updating, check if the subscription status has corrected itself.
Step 5: Restart Your Device
It may sound simple, but restarting your computer can fix many temporary glitches.
When you restart your system, background services refresh and the activation process may reconnect properly with Malwarebytes servers.
Step 6: Check Device Limit
Most Malwarebytes plans allow activation on a limited number of devices. For example:
1 device plan
3 device plan
5 device plan
If you’ve reached your device limit, the software may display an expired or inactive status.
To fix this:
Log into your Malwarebytes account.
Go to device management.
Remove an old or unused device.
Try activating again on your current device.
Step 7: Reinstall Malwarebytes
If none of the above steps work, the issue could be caused by corrupted installation files.
Follow these steps for a clean reinstall:
Uninstall Malwarebytes from your system.
Restart your computer.
Download the latest version from the official website.
Install it again.
Log into your account or re-enter your license key.
A clean reinstall often resolves persistent activation errors.
Step 8: Check Internet Connection and Firewall
Malwarebytes requires an active internet connection to verify subscription status.
Make sure:
Your internet is working properly.
Your firewall isn’t blocking Malwarebytes.
No VPN is interfering with activation.
You can temporarily disable your firewall or VPN and then try activating again.
Step 9: Contact Malwarebytes Support
If the problem continues, the best option is to contact official support.
You can reach out through:
The support section on the Malwarebytes website
Live chat (if available)
Email ticket submission
Provide the following information:
Your registered email address
License key
Screenshot of the expired message
Proof of purchase (if needed)
Support agents can manually verify and reset your license if necessary.
Prevent This Issue in the Future
To avoid seeing incorrect “expired” messages again:
Keep your software updated.
Use the correct registered email.
Avoid activating the same license on too many devices.
Maintain a stable internet connection.
Renew your subscription before the expiration date.
Final Thoughts
Seeing an “expired” message when your Malwarebytes subscription is still active can be frustrating. However, in most cases, it’s a simple synchronization or activation issue.
By checking your account, logging out and back in, updating the software, or reinstalling the program, you can usually fix the problem quickly.
If everything fails, Malwarebytes support is there to help resolve account-related or license issues.
With the right steps, you can restore full protection and ensure your system remains secure without unnecessary stress.