4 Fixes When the Windows 11 Activation Key Is Not Working

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Basic Fixes:

Fix 1: Run the Windows Activation Troubleshooter

Windows bundles several dedicated troubleshooters to figure out issues and apply fixes automatically. For example, you can run the dedicated troubleshooter for Windows Activation when the key is not working on your Windows 11 computer.

Step 1:Press theWindows+Ishortcut to open the Settings app. SelectSystemfrom the left column, scroll down, and clickActivation.

Step 2:Under Activation Settings, click onActivation state. Since your key didn’t work, the state will show asNot active.

Step 3:When the drop-down opens, click onTroubleshoot.

Step 4:Wait a few minutes until the Windows Activation troubleshooter runs in the background to detect the problem.

Step 5:After the troubleshooter finishes checking, it will show a few details about the problem and a potential fix related to Windows Activation. Then, click onClose.

The Windows Activation Troubleshooter might work in most cases. However, if it doesn’t work for you, move to the next solution.

Fix 2: Activate Windows via Phone Using SLUI 4

Try the Software Licensing User Interface utility to activate your Windows 11 copy using a phone. Run the SLUI 4 command and find a location-based toll-free number. Call it to retrieve a confirmation ID that can be used to activate Windows 11 on your computer.

Step 1:Press theWindows+Rkeys to open the Run dialog. In the text field, typeSLUI 4. Then, pressEnter.

Step 2:In the blue window, select yourcountryorregionby clicking on the drop-down menu. Then, clickNext.

Step 3:Call the toll-free number as denoted below and give them your device’s installation ID. Then, click onEnter confirmation ID.

Step 4:After revealing your Installation ID, Microsoft will provide a Confirmation ID. Enter theconfirmation IDand click onActivate Windows.

Fix 3: Try Activating Windows 11 Using Command Prompt

Windows also includes a Software Licensing Management Tool (slmgr) as a VBS (Visual Basic Script) file to run commands for managing the Windows product activation. You can use the Command Prompt to run this VBS file to activate Windows 11. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1:Press theWindows+S keysand typeCommand Prompt. Then, clickRun as administrator.

Step 2:ClickYeswhen a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears on the screen.

Step 3:Type the following command into the Command Prompt window, replacing theXwith the letters from the Activation key. Then, pressEnter.

Step 4:ClickOKwhen a Windows Script Host dialog appears on the screen.

If the activation succeeds, the Windows Script Host dialog states, “Installed activation key XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX successfully”.

If the activation fails, you might get a message – “Error: OxC004FOSO The Software Licensing Service reported that the activation key is invalid”.

Fix 4: Rearm Windows 11 Activation Key

Your PC may not be able to contact Microsoft’s activation servers. However, you can potentially extend the 30-day trial window and put off the Activate Windows watermark for a few more days using the rearm command.

Step 1:Press theWindows+S keysand typeCommand Prompt. From the Command Prompt results, clickRun as administrator.

Step 2:ClickYeswhen a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears on the screen.

Step 3:Type the following command into the Command Prompt window and pressEnter:

Step 4:ClickOKwhen a Windows Script Host dialog appears on the screen. Then,restartyour PC.

After that, your computer will restart to complete the rearming process, and you will have at least 30 more days until you retry activating your Windows 11 computer.

You may also try somefree methods of activating Windows 11, but if none of these work,contact Microsoft Supportas a last resort.

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Last updated on 30 July, 2024

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