Self-hosted: Activation/license key email never arrives (v1.122.5)

[infomakentoshai-pro]

Bug Description

Bug Description

I am trying to request a free Community Edition activation/license key on my self-hosted n8n instance deployed on Railway, but the email with the key never arrives.

In the UI under Settings → Usage and plan, after clicking the "Unlock selected paid features for free" button and entering my email address, I see the message:

Your license key is on the way! Check your email, infomakentoshai@gmail.com, to find your license key.

However, I never receive any email with the activation key, even after waiting several hours. I have:

• Checked Inbox, Spam, Promotions, Updates folders
• Verified the email address is correct
• Waited over 12 hours

From the n8n Community forum, it appears multiple users are experiencing the same issue with license key emails not being delivered for self-hosted instances (recent reports: https://community.n8n.io/t/im-trying-to-generate-a-free-license-but-im-not-receiving-the-email/231091, https://community.n8n.io/t/did-not-receive-activation-license-key-email-for-new-self-hosted-setup/231143, etc.)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Deploy n8n Community Edition on Railway (self-hosted, Docker)
2. Navigate to Settings → Usage and plan
3. Click "Unlock selected paid features for free"
4. Enter an email address
5. Click button and confirm
6. See message: "Your license key is on the way! Check your email..."
7. Wait for email notification

Expected Behavior

After requesting the free activation/license key, an email containing the key should be delivered to the specified email address.

Actual Behavior

No email is received with the activation key. The system shows a success message indicating the key is being generated/sent, but the email never arrives.

Environment

• Hosting provider: Railway
• Deployment method: Docker (self-hosted)
• n8n Version: 1.122.5
• Database: SQLite (default)
• Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04 (on Railway)
• Execution mode: main (default)

Attachments / Screenshots

Message shown in n8n UI:
"Your license key is on the way! Check your email, infomakentoshai@gmail.com, to find your license key. Then head over to usage and plan to activate your license."

Additional Context

This appears to be affecting multiple self-hosted users. The license generation feature seems to be functional on the n8n side (it shows success messages), but the email delivery to users appears to be broken. Multiple users on the community forum are reporting the exact same issue with no resolution yet.

To Reproduce

1. Deploy n8n Community Edition on Railway (self-hosted Docker)
2. Navigate to Settings → Usage and plan
3. Click "Unlock selected paid features for free"
4. Enter an email address
5. Click submit/confirm
6. See success message: "Your license key is on the way! Check your email..."
7. Wait for email (several hours)
8. Email with activation key never arrives

Expected behavior

After requesting a free activation/license key, an email containing the key should be delivered to the specified email address within a few minutes. The user should be able to see the key and enter it in the Settings → Usage and plan section to activate the license.

Debug Info

Self-hosted n8n instance deployed on Railway with Docker. Community Edition 1.122.5. No custom environment variables or special configuration affecting email delivery.

Operating System

Ubuntu 22.04 (Railway)

n8n Version

1.122.5

Node.js Version

18.x or higher (from Railway)

Database

SQLite (default)

Execution mode

main (default)

Hosting

self hosted

[n8n-assistant]

Hey @infomakentoshai-pro,

Thank you for reaching out! We’ve received your issue and are looking into it. To help us track this internally, we’ve created a Linear ticket with the reference: "GHC-5804".

We’ll keep you updated as we make progress, but if you have any additional details or context to share, feel free to add them here - it’s always helpful!

Thanks for your patience and for bringing this to our attention.

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For INTERNAL use only: GHC-5804