Your EverWeb license hasn't expired, and your website is fine. The version of EverWeb on your computer is newer than your Updates & Support plan covers, so that version won't publish. You can go back to the version your plan covers, for free, or renew the plan to keep the newer one.
The message usually looks like this, often just after an update:
You don't have an active EverWeb account.
Your EverWeb upgrade and support plan has expired and the version of EverWeb you are using is not within your upgrade period.
Which option suits you
| Go back to your covered version | Renew your plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $59.95 USD for one year |
| Your project | If the newer version changed it, you go back to a backup. Work done since that backup isn't included. | Stays as it is, with all your recent work |
| What you get | The version you were entitled to, for as long as it runs on your computer | The newest version, new versions for a year, and email support |
If you've done work in the newer version that you want to keep, renewing is the simplest way to keep it.
Option 1: Go back to your covered version
Find your plan's end date:
- Go to EverWeb > Settings > Account (Windows: Edit > Options > Account).
- Find your license in the list. Where it says Expired, click the small icon at the right-hand end of that cell.
- Note the date in the message. You can use any version released up to that date.
Install the covered version:
- Quit EverWeb.
- Sign in to your EverWeb account page (the Client Area).
- Go to Services > My Services and open your EverWeb Standalone license.
- Click Downloads on the left.
- Download the newest version released up to your plan's end date.
Each version in the list shows a date, such as "Accounts valid through Oct 14th, 2025". You can use that version if your Updates & Support plan ran through that date, or if you have an EverWeb + Hosting account. So choose the newest version whose date is on or before your plan's end date. Not sure which to choose? Ask us and we'll tell you the exact version and send the link.
- Install it. On a Mac, drag it to your Applications folder and agree to replace the existing copy. Your projects are not deleted.
- Open EverWeb and look at the version number under the Welcome to EverWeb title. If it still shows the newer version, your computer has a second copy of EverWeb, and that is the one that opened. Find and remove it, then open the covered version.
- Open your project and publish. If EverWeb asks you to sign in, go to Settings > Account (Windows: Options > Account) and sign in.
You'll know it worked when publishing finishes normally. You don't have to do anything else.
If your project won't open
You may see this:
This project is not compatible with this version of EverWeb. You need EverWeb Version [number] or higher and you are using [number].
This means the newer version updated your project to a format that older versions can't read. The project isn't damaged. EverWeb makes automatic backups unless they have been turned off, so you can go back to one from before the update.
Before you start: the backup won't include anything you changed after it was made. Your current project moves to the Trash (Windows: Recycle Bin), so don't empty it until you're happy with the result. You'll need that copy if you renew later.
- Go to File > Projects Window.... This is the window titled Welcome to EverWeb.
- Next to your website, click the circle with 3 dots on a Mac, or the arrow on Windows.
- Choose Restore from backup....
- Choose a backup made before you opened the project in the newer version. A later one will show the same message.
- Open the project and check it. Then publish.
If there's no suitable backup, you have two choices:
- Renew your plan. The newer version opens your project with all your recent work.
- Contact us and we'll go through your options.
Option 2: Renew your plan
- Go to the renewal page and sign in. Or sign in to your Client Area and click Renew Now in the red banner.
- Choose EverWeb Renewal and complete the payment ($59.95 USD).
- Quit EverWeb and open it again.
- Publish your website. If the newer version is already installed, you don't need to install anything else.
You'll know it worked when publishing finishes without the message.
If the message is still there, go to EverWeb > Settings > Account (Windows: Edit > Options > Account), click Sign Out, and sign in again. If you've already gone back to an older version, update through EverWeb > Check For Update... (Windows: Help > Check For Update...).
What to click if EverWeb offers an update
EverWeb can offer new versions after your plan has ended. If you want to stay on your covered version, don't install them. The window shows this line:
This upgrade is NOT free since your upgrade/support plan has expired. Click here to renew...
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| Skip This Version | Closes the window and stops offering this version. Use this to stay where you are. |
| Remind Me Later | Closes the window. EverWeb offers it again later. |
| Install Update | Opens a second window, described below. |
The second window says "This update requires you to renew your account."
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| Don't Upgrade | Keeps your current version. Use this to stay where you are. |
| Renew Account | Takes you to your account so you can renew first. |
| Download Paid Upgrade | Installs the newer version without renewing. It won't publish until you renew. Choose this only if you plan to renew. |
If the first window says it could not check whether the update is free, you aren't signed in. Go to Settings > Account (Windows: Options > Account), sign in, and check again before you install anything.
If your covered version won't open on your computer
This usually happens after a macOS update or on a new Mac. Older versions of EverWeb aren't updated for new systems. Your project file isn't affected by this.
- If your Mac says EverWeb is damaged, or won't let it open, follow these steps.
- If that doesn't help, download your covered version again using the steps above and replace your copy.
- If it still won't open, that version doesn't run on this system. Your choices are to renew and use the current version, or to keep using a computer on an older system.
If you're moving to a new computer, you also need to bring your project file across.
On Windows, or if none of this fits what you see, contact support.
If you're still stuck
Contact support and send:
- A screenshot of the message
- The version and build number shown under the Welcome to EverWeb title
- Whether you're on a Mac or Windows, and which system version
Even if your plan has ended, we can tell you which version it covers.