Learning how to activate Elementor Pro is essential for unlocking all the premium widgets, templates, and advanced capabilities that make building a WordPress website faster and more flexible. Whether you're installing it for the first time or reconnecting a license, this guide walks you through each method clearly and offers solutions for common activation issues.
Download and Install Elementor Pro Plugin
Before activating your license, you need to install both the free and Pro versions of Elementor. Elementor Pro builds on the free plugin, so they work together to offer a complete website building experience.
- Install the free Elementor plugin from your WordPress dashboard via Plugins > Add New. Search for "Elementor Website Builder" and click Install, then Activate.
- Login to your Elementor account and download the Elementor Pro .zip file from the Downloads section.
- Go back to WordPress and navigate to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin. Select the downloaded .zip file.
- Click Install Now, then Activate the Pro plugin once installation is complete.
Activate Elementor Pro License Automatically
Once Elementor Pro is installed, here's how to activate the license automatically:
- Go to Elementor > License in your WordPress dashboard.
- Click the Connect & Activate button.
- You will be redirected to Elementor's website. Log in to your Elementor account if prompted.
- Click Connect to link your website to your Elementor subscription.
This method ensures seamless updates and immediate access to all premium resources.
How to Activate Elementor Pro License Manually
Manual activation may be needed if the automatic process fails or you're working in a restricted environment, such as local development or servers with limited external access.
Find your license key
- Log into your Elementor account.
- Navigate to the Subscriptions tab and locate your active license.
- Click Manage License to view and copy your license key.
Enter license in WordPress
- In WordPress, go to Elementor > License.
- Paste the license key into the provided field and click Activate.
This method is especially helpful for developers who manage staging environments or clients who prefer direct control over plugin licenses.
Verify Elementor Pro Activation
To confirm successful activation:
- Return to Elementor > License and look for a green Active status.
- You should now have access to Pro templates and widgets in the Elementor editor.
- Go to Templates > Saved Templates and check if premium layouts are available.
Once activated, the plugin will also start receiving updates directly through your WordPress dashboard.
Troubleshoot Elementor Pro Activation Issues
If Elementor Pro is not activating, try these solutions:
- Clear your browser and WordPress cache to remove outdated session data.
- Temporarily disable security plugins or firewalls that may block external API requests.
- Ensure both Elementor and Elementor Pro are updated to their latest versions.
- Check your hosting environment—some shared hosting setups restrict API connections.
Also verify that your WordPress installation has an active internet connection and that the cURL PHP extension is enabled on the server.
Useful Links
Installing Elementor Pro – This guide walks you through the process of downloading and installing the Elementor Pro plugin on your WordPress site.
Connect and Activate Your Elementor Pro License – Learn how to activate your Elementor Pro license to access premium widgets and features.
Elementor Pro Does Not Work – Troubleshooting steps if you're experiencing issues with Elementor Pro not functioning correctly.
Error When Activating License Key – Solutions for common errors encountered during license activation, such as cURL errors.
What Is Considered a License Activation? – Understand how Elementor counts license activations, especially concerning staging and development sites.
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Conclusion
Knowing how to activate Elementor Pro in WordPress ensures you get full access to the toolkit that powers modern design workflows. Whether you choose automatic or manual activation, following the right steps helps avoid errors and gives you full creative control. Once activated, you'll unlock advanced widgets, Pro templates, and full theme customization tools—boosting both speed and flexibility in your web design process.