RouterOS License Replacement & Recovery
A license bound permanently to a Software ID sounds risky if that device ever fails — here’s what genuinely qualifies for recovery, what doesn’t, and how to avoid losing a license during routine maintenance.
The General Rule
A RouterOS license is bound to the Software ID of the device it was issued for, and that binding is intentionally permanent — it’s how MikroTik prevents a single key being reused across multiple devices. Recovery paths exist for genuine hardware failure, but they’re narrower than most people expect, and they differ between RouterBOARD hardware and x86/CHR installs.
x86 and CHR: Replacement Keys
x86 and CHR licenses are eligible for a MikroTik-issued replacement key when the original storage device has genuinely failed — this exists specifically to cover hardware failure, generally limited to one replacement per original key, and MikroTik may require evidence the original device failed. A replacement key is not a way to voluntarily move a license to new hardware; see our x86 Licensing guide for what does and doesn’t trigger eligibility.
RouterBOARD Hardware: RMA, Not License Replacement
Dedicated RouterBOARD devices don’t have the same replacement-key mechanism as x86. If a RouterBOARD unit fails under warranty, MikroTik’s standard RMA (hardware repair/replacement) process is the correct path — the license effectively comes back with a working, repaired, or replaced unit under warranty terms, rather than through a separate license-replacement request. See our Hardware Licensing guide for how hardware licensing works day to day.
⚠ What does NOT qualify for replacement
A license lost through non-warranty repair, unauthorized disk tools (dd, fdisk, or similar low-level utilities instead of official Netinstall), voluntary reformatting, or moving a license to intentionally different hardware is not eligible for replacement. In these cases, a new license purchase is required — see our Pricing Policy.
How to Avoid Losing a License in the First Place
- Always use official MikroTik tools (Netinstall, official installation media) for reinstalls — see our Netinstall Guide
- Avoid reformatting or repartitioning the disk RouterOS is installed on outside of the official reinstall process
- Back up your configuration before any maintenance that touches storage, so a worst-case reinstall is at least a fast recovery for configuration, even if the license itself needs replacing
- Keep your original key file and order confirmation — you’ll need your order details if you ever do need to request a replacement
If You Think You Qualify for Replacement
Contact our support team with your order number and a description of what happened. We’ll help determine whether your situation qualifies for a MikroTik-issued replacement key and guide you through the request.
Technical reference
MikroTik RouterOS documentation — RouterOS x86 Licensing. This page is an independent, original explanation written by our team, not an official MikroTik publication.