24 Most Common Windows 10 Activation Error Codes and their Fixes [UPDATED]

how to activate Windows

Are you using a Windows 10 operating system or laptop but unable to enjoy all functions as your Windows OS is inactive? Or encountering Windows 10 activation error during the activation process?  If your answer is YES, then this article is for you, here learn various Windows 10 activation errors and its fixes. 

Activation error generally appears when the user performs the Windows clean installation for the first time. But when the clean installation is done over an activated Windows 10 PC then, in this case, you will never face Windows 10 activation error. As in this case, the operating system fetches the complete activation details from Microsoft servers.

But there are many users who perform Windows 10 clean installation and encounter the activation errors on their PC/laptop. Well, there are many activation error codes that appear on the newly installed Windows 10 computer or laptop as well.

So, here check out the list of common Windows 10 activation error codes and its complete fixes. But first, learn how to buy the Windows 10 activation key, as in many places you need to buy the genuine activation key to get rid of the errors.

How to Buy Windows 10 Activation Key?

You can simply purchase the 25-digit Windows 10 activation key from the Windows Store:

  1. Click on the Start button > Choose Settings >Update & Security  > Activation .
  2. Choose Go to Store, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Note: If you are unable to activate your Windows after replacing any hardware of your device (have a valid product key) then activate Windows via phone.

Go to the search box and type SLUI 04, choose SLUI 04 from the list and then simply follow the onscreen instructions to activate Windows.

But if after buying the product key you are encountering activation error then follow the solutions to fix the Windows 10 product key activation errors.

List of Windows 10 Activation Errors:

1. Error Code 0xC004FC032. Error Code 0xC004C008
3. Error Code 0xC004C0034. Error Code 0x8007232B
5. Error Code 0xC004C0206. Error Code 0x8007007B
7. Error Code 0x80072F8F8. Error Code 0xC004E003
9. Error Code 0x8000400510. Error Code 0xC004C4AE
11. Error Code 0xC004F06112. Error Code 0xC004F034
13. Error Code 0x803f700114. Error Code 0x80041023
15. Error Code 0x8007000516. Error Code 0xc004f014
17. Error Code 0xC004F07818. Error Code 0xc004f074
19. Error Code 0xC004F21220. Error Code 0xc0020036
21. Error Code 0x803FA07122. Error Code 0x8007267c
23. Error Code 0xc004f01224. Error Code 0x803fa067

Windows 10 Activation Errors & Fixes

1: Activation Error 0xC004FC03

0xC004FC03

The Windows 10 error code 0xc004fc03, appears when the users to fail to activate their Windows OS due to networking problem.

How to Fix: As the error is related to network issues, so to fix the activation error 0xc004fc03, try to reconnect to the network, run the Network Troubleshooter, turn off the Windows Firewall. 

These are the fixes that work for you to resolve error code 0xC004FC03 in Windows 10. 

2: Activation Error Code 0xC004C008

The error code 0xC004C008 is caused due to an activation server as the product key has exceeded it’s unlocked limit or might have used on many PCs/laptops.

How to Fix: To fix it you can simply run the Windows Activation troubleshooter, this worked for many users. But if still the activation error 0xC004C008 appears the simply contact Microsoft by dialing the number “18009365700” and explain the error message you are getting.

3: Activation Error 0xC004C003

0xC004C003

This Windows 10 error is faced by the users after upgrading to Windows 10 or doing a fresh installation. The users are found reporting the product key did not work or invalid.

How to Fix – Well, there are fixes that work for you to resolve the Windows 10 activation error 0xC004C003. To follow the complete fixes read the article.

4: Activation Error 0x8007232B (DNS name does not exist.)

The Activation Error 0x8007232B occurs when the user tries activating Windows after installing the OS from volume license media or due to KMS activation server down issues.  ‘

How to Fix: As the error is related to DNS, so to fix it you need to troubleshoot the DNS by using the network troubleshooter or flush the DNS cache.

However to know about the fixes in details follow the fixes given in the article.

5: Activation Error 0xC004C020

0xC004C020

Windows 10 activation error appears while trying to activate the copy of Windows 10 with a license key. The error is very irritating because Windows 10 reports Windows is not Activated.

How to Fix: In order to fix the activation error code 0xC004C020 run the Windows activation troubleshooter. To run it choose Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation, > choose Troubleshoot.

6: Activation Error 0x8007007B

The activation error 0x8007007b appears while trying to use volume licensed media for installing Windows. And the error message appears “The filename, directory name or volume label syntax is incorrect.”

How to Fix: To fix the error you need to carry out the certain possible fixes like enter an exact product key that matches the edition of Windows on your device. Or else carry out the below-given steps:

Open a command prompt as admin > type “slui 3” > new dialog box will appear here enter the windows product key > restart your system. Check if the windows will be activated.

7: Windows Activation Error 0x80072F8F

activation error 0x80072F8F

This kind of error message appears when Windows system, gets unable to connect to the online activation service and can’t verify your product key. Or else due to incorrect or incompatible blocking configuration.

How to Fix: If you are getting “A security error occurred. (Error code: 0x80072F8F)” error message then make sure the date and time for the PC are correct. Set date and time: Click on the Start button > Settings > Time & language > Date & time.

Or else know more about it here.  

8: Windows Error code 0xC004E003

Users are getting the error message “The Software Licensing Service reported that the license evaluation failed. (Error code: 0xC004E003)” after installing the third-party software.  It happens because the party tool can change some system files.

How to Fix: In order to fix the error, you need to restore the system files. The resetting of the system may remove all the installed software and hence the error code 0xC004E003 is fixed.

9: Error 0x80004005- ‘Unspecified Error’

activation error 0x80004005

The error may appear if the file required by Windows Product Activation (WPA) is damaged or goes missing. However, many users are also getting the error message “(The copy of Windows 10 is not a legitimate one or has not been activated correctly).

How to Fix: In order to fix this issue first of all click on the Start button and then choose Settings ->Update & security  -> Activation, and then choose Troubleshoot. This will run the Activation troubleshooter.

But, if you are unable to fix this issue by using troubleshooter then you might need to reset your PC. To know more read the article: Fix Error 0x80004005.

10: Activation Error Code 0xC004C4AE

This error appears during the activation process and the users are getting the error message “Genuine Validation detected tampered Windows binaries. Error code: 0xC004C4AE”. And to fix it follow the fixes given below.

How to Fix: Check if you are using third party application to add a display language, this is not supported by Windows and you start getting the error. To fix it simply restore your PC to earlier restore point to remove the recent changes made to the Windows system.

11: Activation Error 0xC004F061

0xC004F061

The error code 0xC004F061 appears with the message The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations”. It means only a single key is used for one installation, and some keys are used for upgrading Windows only but not for installation.

How to Fix: Well if you have bought a new license but still facing the error message then the error message should not appear. And to fix this error or know more about it read the article.

12: Windows 10 Activation Error 0xC004F034

This error message shows that the product key entered by the user is invalid or a product key related to any other version of Windows operating system. The error appears because the servers were overloaded, so it is better to wait until the servers are available.

How to Fix: If a Windows system is installed on a device that linked to a Key Management Service (KMS) server then kindly contact your organization’s support person. Or else disable the antivirus, firewall, and VPN, you can also contact the Microsoft support center, and discuss the error.

13: Activation Error 0x803f7001

0x803f7001

Users are encountering the error message because of Activation server unable to find a valid Windows license for your PC or laptop. Follow the fixes given below to get rid of the error

How To Fix: In order to get rid of 0x803f7001 error, you should provide a valid product key to activate Windows. You will find the 25-character product key in the confirmation email sent by Microsoft (after buying). You may also see the product key on the packaging that came with your PC, or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the back or bottom of your PC/laptop.

After finding a valid product key, apply the below-given step to activate:

  • Click on the Start button-> select Settings ->Update & security -> Activation.
  • Choose Change product key, and then enter the 25-character product key.

14: Windows Activation Error 0x80041023

The error code 0x80041023 while trying to activate Windows 10 license after upgrading from older Windows version or doing a fresh installation. And there are various unpleasant reasons responsible for the error.

How to Fix: To fix the Windows 10 error 0x80041023 simply visit the article How to Fix Windows 10 Activation Error 0x80041023 and follow the fixes given here.

15: Activation Error 0x80070005

activation error 0x80070005

Many users are found reporting the error Activation Error 0x80070005 ACCESS DENIED. And appears during the Windows update process, when the system is unable to install selected update from Windows store.

How to Fix: To fix this activation error, simply run the Windows Update Troubleshooter and if this won’t work for you then follow the fixes given in the article.

16: Windows Activation Error 0xc004f014

The Windows 10 Activation Error Code 0xc004f014 occurs when the new license key is used for upgrading Windows in OEM system. Also while upgrading from regular Windows version to Pro version the error 0xc004f014 appears.

How to Fix: To fix the error run the Windows activation troubleshooter and if this won’t work for you to fix the error then read and follow the fixes given in the article.

17: Windows 10 Activation Error 0xC004F078

Windows error 0xC004F078

The error code 0xC004F078 appears if the KMS is not reachable by the client computer or if the key used in SLSetAuthenticationData function call is invalid. And also the error code appears on the systems that are upgraded to Windows 10 from earlier Windows 7 or 8.1.

How to Fix: You can fix the error simply by running the Windows Activation troubleshooter and also make sure you are using correct key for your Windows copy type.

18: Activation Error Code 0xC004F074

The error code appears when the users try to activate from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10. Despite this, there are other scenarios also seen as if downloading a compromised Windows upgrade from the pirated website, then also the error appears.

How to Fix: To fix the activation run the SFC scan and if this won’t work then run the Windows update and activation troubleshooter. Hope this works for you to resolve the error 0xC004F074, but if not then contact Microsoft Support center and explain your issue. Or else visit the article to know more fixes: Fix error 0xC004F074

19: Activation Error 0xC004F212

activation error 0xC004F212

The users are getting the Activation Error 0xC004F212 after the installation while entering the key. The error message appears on the screen is “The product key used on this PC didn’t work with this edition of Windows. Activation Error 0xC004F212.”

How to Fix: Well running the activation troubleshooter may work for you but if not then follow the fixes given in the article.

20: Activation Error 0xc0020036

Several Windows 10 users are struggling with the error message 0xc0020036.  And the issue occurs to users who have previously upgraded from the older version to the latest Windows 10.

How to Fix: To fix the error 0xc0020036 for Windows 10 follow the fixes given in the article.

21: Windows 10 Activation Error 0x803FA071

Windows 10 Activation 0x803FA071

The error 0x803FA071 appears in the form of error message user entering the used product key

How to Fix: To get rid of the error simply purchase a product key for each one of your systems to activate Windows on them.

22: Windows 10 Activation Error Code 0x8007267c

This is another irritating error faced by the Windows 10 users while activating Windows. The error occurs when the system you are trying to activate won’t have the DNS server registered in the network properties.

How to Fix: Learn more about the error code 0x8007267c and follow the fixes given here.

23: Windows 10 Activating 0xc004f012

Windows 10 Activating 0xc004f012

The users are encountering the error 0xC004F012 due to the missing or corrupt licensing repository. And sometimes the error occurs during the first activation and in some cases during a major upgrade.

Well, this is very irritating but can be fixed after following the certain possible fixes.

How to Fix: In order to fix the error code run the SFC or DISM command to repair the corrupted system files. And if this won’t work for you to fix the error then follow the fixes given in the article.

24: Activation Error 0x803fa067

This is the last activation error in our list and is commonly faced by the Windows 10 users. This occurs due to the false Windows copy or the previously installed update that altered the system files and causes issue in the upgrade process.

How to Fix: The error appears when you upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Professional by using a generic key. And to fix this generic error you have to buy a new digital license as there is no other fix to deal with the error, unlike other activation errors.

So, these are some of the common Windows 10 activation errors encountered by the users due to different reasons. You can follow the solutions given to get rid of the particular Windows 10 activation error.

Well, some of the error messages are related to the product key, so if are getting the activation error due to product key issues, then follow the below-given fix.

How to Repair Windows 10 Product Key Activation Errors

Follow the given tricks to get rid of the fixes related to product key or the activation server reported that the product key has exceeded its unlock limit. 

  • If you have a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key then you cannot activate Windows 10 as this latest operating system uses its own exclusive product key.
  • In order to do a clean installation for the first time, you have to activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
  • While upgrading to Windows 10 if it asks you to enter a product key then click Do this later option. After a few days, Windows 10 will get activated automatically as activation servers might be overloaded at the times.

Despite the activation errors, if you are encountering other Windows PC/laptop issues than in this case feel free to run the PC Repair Tool. This is an advanced tool that just by scanning once detect and fix various Windows issues and errors such as stubborn computer problems, protect you from file loss, malware and virus infection, DLL error, and others.

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Conclusion:

Windows 10 activations errors are very irritating and faced by the users from time to time while performing clean installation or upgrading from earlier Windows versions.

So, in this article, I tried my best to list down various Windows 10 activation errors with the complete fixes.

Hope the article worked for you to know about the activation errors as well as fix them.

Despite this, if you are having any query, suggestions then write to us on our Facebook Page.