Ansys Your Product License Has Numerical Problem Size Limits Verified May 2026

Design your meshing strategy from the start to allow coarsening. Keep a “coarse” and “fine” assembly.

License Feature: ansys
Maximum DOFs allowed by license: 128000
Current model DOFs: 112500 -> OK

If exceeded:

License Feature: ansys_prof
Maximum DOFs allowed by license: 32000
Current model DOFs: 45000 -> ERROR: License limit exceeded.

Solving the "Numerical Problem Size Limits" Error in Ansys Getting the error message

"Your product license has numerical problem size limits, you have exceeded these..."

is a common hurdle, especially for students and researchers using academic or introductory versions of Ansys.

This error typically triggers when your mesh (nodes and elements) exceeds the hard caps defined by your specific license type. Below is a breakdown of why this happens and how to fix it without losing simulation quality. Understanding the Limits

Ansys Academic and Student versions have built-in constraints to ensure the software is used for educational purposes rather than heavy industrial work. Ansys Student (Introductory): Typically limited to 32,000 nodes/elements for Structural (Mechanical) simulations and 512,000 cells/nodes for Fluid Dynamics (Fluent). Newer versions may allow up to for structural or nearly for CFD, but these vary by release. University Licenses: Limits vary by tier, such as for Intermediate, for Advanced, and for Research licenses. Design your meshing strategy from the start to

Why You Exceeded the Limit (Even When the Mesh Looked Small)

Sometimes your mesh count looks fine, but you still hit the limit. Here’s why: Hidden Elements:

Remote boundary conditions, moments, and contacts often generate additional "hidden" connection elements at the start of a solve, pushing you over the limit. Node ID Inflation: In some cases, the limit isn't just the of nodes, but the highest

. If your node numbers are sparse (e.g., jumps from 10 to 5,000), the solver might think the problem is larger than it is. The "Latch" Bug:

If you once ran a simulation that was too big, Ansys sometimes "remembers" the error. Even after reducing the mesh, the setup cell may need a reset. 5 Pro-Tips to Fix the Error 1. Compress and Renumber Your Mesh If your problem is sparse Node IDs, you can "compact" them. Right-click on Mesh Numbering Compress Node Numbers Right-click Mesh Numbering and select Renumber Mesh 2. Simplify Geometry (Shells and Beams)

Solid models eat up nodes quickly. Consider converting 3D solid bodies into midsurface shell models beam models Ansys SpaceClaim License Feature: ansys Maximum DOFs allowed by license:

. This drastically reduces the node count while maintaining accuracy for thin-walled or long, slender structures. 3. Use Symmetry

This error message typically indicates that you are using an Ansys Student

license, which has hard-coded limits on the number of nodes or elements your model can contain

. When your mesh exceeds these values, the solver is blocked from proceeding. Standard License Limits

The specific limits depend on the version and type of analysis you are performing: Analysis Type Limit (Nodes/Elements) Structural (FEA) 32,000 – 128,000

Older versions were capped at 32k; newer releases (2021 R2+) allow up to 128k. Fluid (CFD/Fluent) 512,000 – 1,048,576 After each reduction

Limits vary by release; many current student versions allow ~512k cells. Electronics (HFSS/Maxwell) 64k (3D), 8k (Surface)

3D volume limit is 64,000 elements; 2D limit is 2,000 triangles. Rocky (DEM) 32,000 particles Particle count limit is 32k regardless of shape. Common "Hidden" Causes

Sometimes the error appears even if your node count seems below the limit. This is often due to: How to solve the mesh size limit in ANSYS student license?

Your immediate goal is to drop below the threshold. Try these techniques:

After each reduction, check the solver output window for the elusive *** NOTE *** message that confirms the license limit and the current problem size.

In CFX, you can run the solver separately from the pre-processor. The license check occurs at solver start—using a different feature set may allow larger sizes.