September 12, 2025

The Clock is Ticking: What Happens When Your Fortinet FortiGate License Expires?

An expired Fortinet license can be a moment of panic for any IT professional. The clock is ticking, and the security of your network is on the line. But what exactly happens when your Fortinet license lapses? And what do you need to know to get back on track without losing time or money?

We’ve got the answers. This guide will walk you through the immediate consequences of a lapsed license, demystify Fortinet’s backdating policy, and provide a clear, stress-free plan for renewal.

The Quick Answer: What Stops Working Immediately?

Let’s get straight to it. When your Fortinet license or service contract expires, your device will not shut down or stop passing traffic. This continues working:

However, the most critical security features you paid for will stop receiving updates. This includes:

FortiGuard Services: Your device will no longer get new updates for essential security databases like Antivirus, Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), Web Filtering, and Application Control. This leaves your network exposed to new and emerging threats.
Technical Support: You lose access to FortiCare technical support and/or RMA coverage.
Firmware Upgrades: You can't download or install the latest firmware versions, which are crucial for patching vulnerabilities and maintaining security.

In short, your Fortinet device becomes a static firewall. It can still filter traffic based on old rules, but it loses its ability to protect you from the newest cyber threats.

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Understanding the Backdating Policy

This is a major point of confusion for many IT professionals. When you go to renew an expired license, you may find that the new contract start date is backdated, which means you pay for time you didn’t have service.

The Continuous Support Policy: Fortinet’s policy is built on the premise of “continuous support.” This means new renewal contracts should begin the day after the previous one expired to avoid any gaps in coverage.
How it works for 1-year renewals: For a 1-year renewal, Fortinet will backdate the contract up to a maximum of 6 months. If your license has been expired for less than six months, the new contract will begin on your original expiration date. If it’s been expired for more than six months, the new contract will be backdated six months from the day you register it, and you’ll get the remaining six months of coverage.
The Multi-Year Advantage: One key piece of information is that Fortinet will often waive the backdating policy for multi-year renewals. This is a strong incentive to upgrade from a 1-year plan, as you can get full coverage from your registration date without paying for the lapsed time.

You will be able to check the new contract’s start and end dates in the support portal before you finalize the purchase, so you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for.

A Stress-Free Renewal Checklist

Renewing an expired Fortinet license can be a straightforward process if you follow these steps:

Find your device(s) Serial Number: Find it in your device label or Log in to the FortiCloud Portal, go to the Asset Management section to find your device’s serial number.
Contact a Us: We are an authorized Fortinet reseller authorized for United States (US) . Our experts can help you get a quote and find the best contract for your needs. Contact us now.
Complete the Purchase: Once you have the contract, you will need to register it in the portal.
Confirm the New License: After registering the contract, the new license will typically apply automatically. A device reboot is not required for the license to take effect. You can confirm the new expiration date in your FortiCloud account and on the device’s dashboard.

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By understanding the consequences of a lapsed license and following a clear plan, you can minimize downtime and get your network security back on track.

More information in the Fortinet Service Terms & Conditions For FortiCare, FortiGuard and other Fortinet Service Offerings.

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