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Activation Center
Key not activating? Start with the error code.
When activation fails, Windows and Office show an error code, and the code says what happened. Find yours below to see what to check, in order.
Common:
We do not have a page for that code yet. Send it to us with your order number and we will look into it.
Three quick checks before anything else
- Stay online. Activation talks to Microsoft's servers; a VPN, firewall or captive Wi-Fi can block it.
- Fix the date and time. A clock that is off by a few days breaks the secure connection. Set it to automatic.
- Match the edition. A Pro key will not activate Windows Home until the edition switches. Settings › System › About shows which one you have.
Is it already activated?
Windows 11
Open Settings → System → Activation. Next to Activation state it says Active when Windows is activated, and the line above names the edition, for example Windows 11 Pro.
Office 2024
Open Word, then File → Account. Under Product Information it names the product and says Product Activated. A yellow or red banner means the key has not gone in yet.
Error codes
- Error 0xC004F050 — the product key was rejected as invalidThree ordinary causes to rule out when Windows says the key is invalid: a typing mistake,…
- Error 0xC004F074 — no Key Management Service could be contactedWindows tried to activate through a Key Management Service it could not reach. Five checks, in…
- Error 0xC004C003 — the activation server determined the key is blockedMicrosoft's server reports the key as blocked. Rule out a key still registered to another PC…
Common problems
- Office says “Unlicensed Product” after you activated itA red or yellow Unlicensed Product banner can mean the key is not entered in this…
- Moving your license to a new computerHow to release your license key on the old computer and activate it on the new…
- Office will not install — remove the previous version firstAn older Office on the PC, including an expired Microsoft 365 trial, can stop the install,…