Briefly, this error occurs when Elasticsearch expects an array of licenses but fails to parse it, likely due to incorrect formatting or data type. To resolve this issue, you should first check the format of your licenses. Ensure they are in an array format and the data types are correct. If the error persists, try to validate your licenses or regenerate them if possible. Lastly, ensure that your Elasticsearch version supports the licenses you’re using.
This guide will help you check for common problems that cause the log ” failed to parse licenses expected an array of licenses ” to appear. To understand the issues related to this log, read the explanation below about the following Elasticsearch concepts: plugin, license.
Log Context
Log “failed to parse licenses expected an array of licenses” class name is License.java. We extracted the following from Elasticsearch source code for those seeking an in-depth context :
}
if (license == null && pre20Licenses.isEmpty() == false) {
license = pre20Licenses.get(0);
}
} else {
throw new ElasticsearchParseException("failed to parse licenses expected an array of licenses");
}
} else if (Fields.LICENSE.equals(currentFieldName)) {
license = License.fromXContent(parser);
}
// Ignore all other fields - might be created with new version
