Windows 11 Not Activated? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• A major hardware change, such as a new motherboard
• A product key already used on another device or on more devices than the license allows
• A product key that doesn’t match the installed edition of Windows
• No internet connection, a firewall blocking activation or busy activation servers
• The wrong date and time on your PC
• Third-party software that changed system files
• A volume license client installed on your device, managed by your organization

Step-by-Step Solutions

Work through the steps in order, try to activate again after each one, and look up any new error code you see.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check your activation status

   The Activation page in Settings shows whether Windows is activated and which edition you have.

   Select Start, then Settings, then System, then Activation. Your activation status is listed next to Activation status. If Windows isn’t activated, you’ll see an error message explaining the failure. The same page shows your edition, such as Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.

   To see your version and build of Windows, type winver in the search box on the taskbar, then select Winver from the list of results. If you upgraded to Windows 11 for free and it isn’t activated, make sure you’re running the latest version of Windows 11.

2. 2

   Step 2: Run the Activation troubleshooter

   The troubleshooter runs diagnostics and attempts to fix most activation problems.

   On Windows 11, start by running the automated Windows Activation troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It runs diagnostics automatically and attempts to fix most of the problems.

   You can also open it from Settings. Sign in as an administrator, then select Start, then Settings, then System, then Activation, then Troubleshoot. The Troubleshoot option only appears while Windows 11 isn’t activated.

   If you have a digital license that hasn’t been activated, select Activate Windows in the troubleshooter, then select Activate.

   Good to know

   The error code and message can change after you run the troubleshooter or try to activate. If it changes, look up the new code and follow the steps for it.

3. 3

   Step 3: Check your connection, firewall, date and time

   Windows activation needs an internet connection and the correct date and time.

   Windows activation requires an internet connection. Make sure that you’re connected to the internet and that your firewall isn’t blocking Windows from activating.

   An incorrect date and time on your PC can also cause an activation error. Select Start, then Settings, then Time & language, then Date & time, and check them.

   To check your connection, type network troubleshooter in the search box on the taskbar, then select Identify and repair network problems and follow the instructions. If it doesn’t find any problems, try restarting your PC.

   Good to know

   If the activation server is temporarily unavailable, Windows activates automatically when the service comes back online.

4. 4

   Step 4: Enter a valid product key

   If Windows didn’t find a valid license, you can enter your 25-character product key in Settings.

   Select Start, then Settings, then System, then Activation, then Change product key, and enter the 25-character product key.

   Your product key is usually in the confirmation email you received when you bought Windows, in your device’s packaging, or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker on the back or bottom of your device. If you bought a refurbished PC, the refurbisher, not Microsoft, must provide the product key.

   If you got Windows with a digital license, you don’t need to enter a product key.

   Good to know

   Microsoft only keeps a record of product keys bought from the Microsoft online store.

5. 5

   Step 5: Make sure the key matches your edition

   A key or digital license for a different edition of Windows 11 won’t activate the edition you have installed.

   Some activation errors mean you entered a product key for a different edition than the one installed. For example, a product key for the Enterprise edition can’t activate Windows 11 Home. Enter a valid product key that matches the edition of Windows installed on your device.

   If you think the wrong edition was installed, run Troubleshoot from the Activation page. If it finds a valid digital license for a different edition of Windows 11, it tells you and gives instructions to install the correct edition.

   If you have a digital license for Windows 11 Pro but Windows 11 Home is installed, save your work and close your apps, then select Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro in the troubleshooter and select Start upgrade. You can’t use your device until the upgrade is done.

6. 6

   Step 6: Check whether the key is used elsewhere

   A product key is meant for a single device, so a key used on other devices can stop activation.

   Some activation errors mean the product key has already been used on another device, or on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. A key used, or attempted to be used, on multiple devices is marked as not valid. To activate, buy a product key for each of your devices.

   If you see error 0xC004C003, the right place to ask depends on how you got your PC:

   • Bought from a reseller of Windows 11 and expected the key to be valid: contact the reseller.
   • Windows 11 came preinstalled and the error appeared the first time you turned the device on: contact your device manufacturer.
   • Recently repaired at an independent repair facility: ask them whether the repair requires a new Windows 11 license.
7. 7

   Step 7: Reactivate after a hardware change

   Replacing a major part such as the motherboard can stop Windows from finding a license that matches your device.

   If your PC’s manufacturer replaced the motherboard, your PC should reactivate automatically. Otherwise, make sure your PC is connected to the internet and sign in as an administrator.

   Select Start, then Settings, then System, then Activation, then Troubleshoot. Select I changed hardware on this device recently, then Next. Enter your connected Microsoft account and password and select Sign in. Select the check box next to This is the device I’m using right now, then select Activate.

   If your device isn’t in the list, make sure you signed in with the same Microsoft account you linked to your Windows 11 digital license. If you used a product key to upgrade to Windows 11, enter that same key with Change product key instead.

   If Windows came preinstalled on your device and you replaced the motherboard, you may need to buy a new license.

   Good to know

   Your edition, Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro, must be the same before and after the hardware change. Your digital license and product key reactivate only if the edition stays the same.

8. 8

   Step 8: Undo software that changed system files

   Error 0xC004E003 can appear after third-party software changed system files that activation needs.

   Windows activation needs certain system files. If you see error 0xC004E003 after installing third-party software, you can try to restore the system files to an earlier point in time.

   This removes any software you installed after that point without affecting your personal files.

9. 9

   Step 9: Ask your organization about a work PC

   If your device has a volume license client installed, activation is usually managed by your organization.

   A “Your Windows License Will Expire Soon” warning can mean your device has a volume license client installed. In that case activation is usually managed by your organization, so contact your system administrator.

   Some errors also appear when you try to activate a work device that isn’t connected to your workplace’s network.

10. 10

    Step 10: Buy a license or activate by phone

    If you don’t have a valid key, you can buy a digital license, and some PCs can activate by phone.

    If you don’t have a valid product key, select Start, then Settings, then System, then Activation, then select Go to Microsoft Store and follow the instructions to buy a digital license for Windows.

    If you see error 0xC004FC03 and still have problems after checking your internet connection and firewall, try to activate by phone. Type SLUI 04 in the search box on the taskbar, select SLUI 04 from the list of results, and follow the instructions on the screen.

    Good to know

    Windows 11 Pro EDU and Windows 11 Pro for Workstations must be activated over the internet. Phone activation and SLUI 04 can’t be used with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related guides

• Windows UpdateWindows Update Not Working? Try These FixesRun the Windows Update troubleshooter, check your connection, free up space, fix drivers and date settings, clear the update cache, and repair or reinstall Windows.