When launching the SMART Client, it performs an authentication check and may show an Invalid authentication file or invalid auth.txt error.
Applies To
- SMART Client version 2.0.0.14 and below.
- The SMART Client version is shown in the bottom-right corner of the client window.
If you are running SMART Client 2.0.0.15 or later and still see this error, raise a support ticket so we can investigate it as a separate issue.
Symptoms
- The SMART Client says the authentication file is invalid.
- The message may advise you to regenerate or replace the authentication file.
- You have already regenerated and replaced
auth.txt, but the same error still appears.
Known Issue
We are aware of a SMART Client issue in version 2.0.0.14 and below where this error can appear even when the authentication file itself is valid.
In some cases, the real cause is that the device is not running the required Windows version for the current SMART Client workflow. For example, the device may be running Windows 11 24H2 instead of Windows 11 25H2.
This means regenerating auth.txt may not resolve the issue, because the authentication file is not actually the cause.
What to Check
- Check the SMART Client version in the bottom-right corner of the client window.
- If the SMART Client is version 2.0.0.14 or below, confirm the device is running the required Windows version.
- If the device is on Windows 11 24H2 or another unsupported build, update or reinstall Windows to the required version.
- Run the SMART Client again after the Windows version has been corrected.
About auth.txt
auth.txt is used by the SMART Client for authentication. It contains the encrypted token that identifies the correct company and facility.
It is not a Windows product-key file, and refurbishers do not need to verify or manually enter product keys through auth.txt.
If the Error Continues
If the device is already on the required Windows version and the error still appears after replacing auth.txt, raise a support ticket and include:
- The SMART Client version shown in the bottom-right corner of the client window.
- The exact Windows version and build installed on the device.
- The exact error message shown.
- The company and facility you generated the authentication file for.