4 Fixes When the Windows 11 Activation Key Is Not Working

Quick Tips

• Running the Windows Activation troubleshooter is the most reliable fix for this problem.
• You may also use built-in tools like SLUI 4 to fix the problem.
• If none of the solutions work, contact Microsoft Support.

Basic Fixes:

• Confirm the OS is running an updated Windows 11: You may use the built-in Winver utility to check your OS version and update status.
• Ensure you have a valid and legitimate product key: If your activation key is not valid, it won’t work. So, ensure it is not an expired key.
• Verify there is no mismatch: Ensure the Windows version matches your purchased product key.
• Clean install Windows: You may perform a clean installation using the correct version of Windows.

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 the Windows + I shortcut to open the Settings app. Select System from the left column, scroll down, and click Activation.

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

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

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 on Close.

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 the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog. In the text field, type SLUI 4. Then, press Enter.

Step 2: In the blue window, select your country or region by clicking on the drop-down menu. Then, click Next.

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

Step 4: After revealing your Installation ID, Microsoft will provide a Confirmation ID. Enter the confirmation ID and click on Activate 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 the Windows + S keys and type Command Prompt. Then, click Run as administrator.

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

Step 3: Type the following command into the Command Prompt window, replacing the X with the letters from the Activation key. Then, press Enter.

slmgr.vbs -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

Step 4: Click OK when 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 the Windows + S keys and type Command Prompt. From the Command Prompt results, click Run as administrator.

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

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

slmgr /rearm

Step 4: Click OK when a Windows Script Host dialog appears on the screen. Then, restart your 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 some free methods of activating Windows 11, but if none of these work, contact Microsoft Support as a last resort.