PyCharm shows "Unlock Pro" with an active license: Pro features not activated automatically

Problem

PyCharm runs in free mode and shows Unlock Pro at the top of the main window, although the JetBrains Account has an active license that covers PyCharm Pro, such as the All Products Pack. Django support, the database tools, and other Pro features are not available. Other IDEs on the same account, such as CLion or DataGrip, activate without problems.

The problem appears on the first start after PyCharm is installed, for example from the Toolbox App, or after settings are imported from an earlier PyCharm version. Observed on PyCharm 2026.2.3 (build 262.10968.92) on Linux.

The idea.log file contains lines like these:

INFO - #c.i.p.trialPromotion - Found active license while in free mode. Trying to activate it
WARN - #LicenseManager - Cannot enable ultimate plugin

Cause

On the first start, PyCharm finds the active license and tries to turn on the Pro features without a restart. The Pro features need a restart to turn on, and PyCharm does not offer the restart in this case. The license is not saved, so on the next start PyCharm returns to free mode.

CLion and DataGrip have no free mode, so this problem does not affect them.

Resolution

1. In PyCharm, select Help | Manage Subscriptions from the main menu.
2. In the list of JetBrains Account licenses, select the license and click Activate. If the license is not in the list, click Refresh license list.
3. Close the dialog.
4. In the Plugins not loaded notification, click Enable plugins and restart.

After the restart, the Pro features are available, and the license stays active on the next starts. For more details about license activation, see Activate PyCharm license.