# 2018 Pro keeps telling me I am not online.! **URL:** \ **Category:** SketchUp\ **Created:** [December 4, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732 "2018-12-04T21:38:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mclartyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@mclartyg](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/mclartyg)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732/1 "2018-12-04T21:38:50Z")
I just installed 2018 on my computer (as an administrator), but cannot register the software because 2018 says I am offline. My computer is hardwired to our network. I have re-installed it several times, and the same thing happens. I even contacted IT about a possible firewall conflict, but no resolution. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![SketchUp3D\_de](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/sketchup3d_de/32/167_2.png) [@SketchUp3D\_de](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/SketchUp3D_de)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732/3 "2018-12-05T13:51:15Z")
SU uses the domain “[google.com](http://google.com)” (_sigh_) for checking the availablity of an internet connection and therefore fails if “[google.com](http://google.com)” is blocked by your firewall or proxy. If valid open with a text editor as e.g. Windows Notepad (not word processor) the file “C:\Program Files\SketchUp\SketchUp 2018\resources\\i18n.dat”. Go to section “[ONLINE CHECK]” and change value of line “ONLINE\_TEST\_URL=” from the default URI “[Google](http://www.google.com/ncr)” to e.g. your own domain or “[http://help.sketchup.com](http://help.sketchup.com)”. ---
**Author:** ![Flyhound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a6a055/32.png) [@Flyhound](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Flyhound)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732/4 "2021-10-12T17:39:25Z")
I looked at the other threads. The one you offered comes closest to my problem, but the recommended fix was to: Use a text editor to open the file “C:\Program Files\SketchUp\SketchUp 2018\resources\i18n.dat. I went to C\Program Files\Sketchup2018\resources - and the only file folder in that portion of the directory is en-US. There is an i18n file there, but it is a video file. It took me a while to understand that the video file type listed was actually a .dat file. Then it took a while to figure out how to edit it using notepad. I was making the change recommended, but couldn’t save it because notepad reserved editing that file to administrators. I am the administrator for my sole machine, but wasn’t right clicking on notepad to expressly open it as an administrator. The learning curve here is steep. Anyway, I changed the “Online\_test\_URL” reference from google,com to [http://www.help.sketchup.com/en](http://www.help.sketchup.com/en) to no avail. I even restarted the computer to see if that would help - no joy. The same stinking “you are offline” message still pops up. I use BitDefender Internet Security, but my firewall settings give Sketchup full internet access on any connection, so that isn’t the source of my problem. Any additional pointers would be appreciated. Bear with me, I’m enthusiastic, but not all that knowledgeable. ---
**Author:** ![MikeWayzovski](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/mikewayzovski/32/98346_2.png) [@MikeWayzovski](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/MikeWayzovski)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 5:57pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732/5 "2021-10-12T17:57:23Z")
Try https instead of http, it’s ‘safer’ ---
**Author:** ![Flyhound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a6a055/32.png) [@Flyhound](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Flyhound)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2021, 6:18pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732/6 "2021-10-12T18:18:51Z")
done, and finally I’m connected. Whew. Bumpy road, but I’m at my destination. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mademk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Mademk](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Mademk)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732/7 "2025-01-04T15:34:30Z")
I am having the same problem with my 2024 version. I have gone into the i18n.dat file, but the ONLINE text that is suggested you change does not appear in that file, so I don’t have anything to change. Any other suggestions for me? ---
**Author:** ![Anssi](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/anssi/32/105_2.png) [@Anssi](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/Anssi)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 3:36pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732/8 "2025-01-04T15:36:43Z")
> [@Mademk](#): > > I am having the same problem with my 2024 version. Please do not double post. ---
**Author:** ![DanRathbun](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/danrathbun/32/500_2.png) [@DanRathbun](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DanRathbun)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732/9 "2025-01-04T20:43:16Z")
> [@Mademk](#): > > I am having the same problem with my 2024 version. I have gone into the i18n.dat file, but the ONLINE text that is suggested you change does not appear in that file … Right, in one of the recent versions (circa 2019) it was changed to an internal default. You can override by adding the entries back in, but you must have administrative rights. ```plaintext [ONLINE CHECK] ONLINE_TEST_URL=http://www.google.com/ncr ``` You can change the URL to something else if the google one doesn’t work anymore. ---
**Author:** ![JackyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@JackyM](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/JackyM)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2025, 3:58pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/2018-pro-keeps-telling-me-i-am-not-online/82732/10 "2025-08-29T15:58:22Z")