Is your license showing as invalid, or is the license status not updating after activation? License errors in PDF Embedder usually fall into a few predictable categories.
This guide covers the two most common error states: INVALID_ITEM_ID and SITE_INACTIVE.
INVALID_ITEM_ID error
This error appears when the license key does not match a valid purchase or when the wrong key has been entered for the installed plugin.
Wrong license key
PDF Embedder Premium and PDF Thumbnails Premium are separate products with separate license keys. If you have purchased both, make sure each key is entered in the correct plugin’s license field:
- PDF Embedder Premium key goes in Settings > PDF Embedder > License
- PDF Thumbnails key goes in the PDF Thumbnails settings
Remove the existing key, then re-enter the correct one. For a step-by-step walkthrough on locating your license key, see Downloading the Plugin or Upgrading the License.
Cached or corrupted plugin files
A caching plugin or corrupted files can prevent the license status from updating even after entering the right key.
If the status does not update within a few minutes, try the following:
- Deactivate and delete the PDF Embedder Premium plugin. Your embedded PDFs are not affected; they display as shortcode text until you reinstall, then return to normal once the plugin is active again.
- Re-download the latest ZIP from your account on WP-PDF.com and reinstall it.
- Re-enter your license key in Settings > PDF Embedder > License.
Also, exclude PDF Embedder assets from your caching plugin as described in Using Caching or Minifying Plugins to prevent the issue from recurring.
SITE_INACTIVE error
This error indicates the site has not been registered against the license, or that a cached state is blocking the activation from reflecting on the site.
After activating the license key, caching can delay the status update by up to 24 to 48 hours. The plugin continues functioning normally during this period; the license display does not affect PDF embedding or any other plugin feature. Only automatic updates are tied to the license status.
If the error persists beyond 48 hours, contact support with your license key and site URL.