Jira does not start with the message "License Too Old For Build: We found a problem with your JIRA"

[Boris Niyazov]

Hello,

We're running Jira Server 9.12.2. I decided to upgrade to the recent version 9.12.12 for security fixes, but the upgrade did not proceed successfully due to the fact that the instance's license expired back in Feb. (We're currently in the process of migration to JIRA Cloud that takes some time).

Realizing I cannot upgrade to the version issued after the license expiration (as it said in the error message below), I reverted back to the version 9.12.2. To my surprise I got the same error message stating the license is too old for the build. I even restored the Jira database from the dump I made before trying to upgrade to 9.12.12 - no luck: the same weird message:

"Your current Jira Software license doesn't allow you to upgrade to this version of JIRA (9.12.2). Jira Software expired on 2/14/24 08:00 AM, and you can currently only upgrade to versions released prior to this date. Alternatively you can renew your license at my.atlassian.com which will allow you to upgrade to this version of JIRA (9.12.2). You can enter your new license here.
See our documentation for more information on licensing errors."

Note that 9.12.12 was released on 10-Jan-24, i.e. prior to the license expiration date.

Anyone can help on how to restore the system?

Thanks in advance.

- Boris

[Boris Niyazov · Accepted solution]

The problem resolved. Apparently 9.12.12 jars resided in the $JIRA_HOME/plugins/installed-plugins folder and they had to be removed prior to reverting back to the old 9.12.2 version.

The following old post was very helpful:

https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Jira-questions/Jira-Software-Server-9-12-2-complains-about-too-old-license/qaq-p/2629623#M933624