> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.portainer.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.portainer.io/sts/faqs/licensing/license-already-applied-error.md).

# License already applied error

This error usually appears when you are trying to apply a second five node free license into the same instance of Portainer.

Five node free licenses are not stackable in Portainer Business. You can only apply one five node free license key per instance of Portainer.

If this is not the case then the problem could be a bug in the product. Please send us an [email](mailto:success@portainer.io) an include all the steps you had taken prior to receiving the error message.