Error “Your activation code is already saved in the application” or “This key is already in use”

Issue

When entering the activation code, you may get the error message "This key is already in use” or “Your activation code is already saved in the application”.  

Cause

If you have auto-renewal enabled, you do not need to enter the activation code when the license expires. The license term is updated automatically after the purchase of the renewal.

In may take up to 24 hours between the payment and the update of the expiration date in the application window.

Solution

If the license is used on multiple devices and the license term failed to update on some of them, use the guide below.

Try refreshing the license status: 

1. Open the application and click License in the lower-right corner.

2. Click Update the status. 

The new license term will be available.

If refreshing the status did not help, try deleting the license and then activating the application once again will the same activation code. See this article for instructions. 

What to do if the issue persists

Useful references

How to renew the license for Kaspersky solutions for home
Error "The key file is not compatible"
"Invalid key" error
What to do if a Kaspersky application prompts you to decrease the license term
"This activation code is no longer supported" error
Error "Invalid activation code"
Error "License has expired" or "Activation period has expired"