Get help with activation errors

Get help with activation errors
Here are some of the most common activation errors in Windows, and a few things you can try to fix the problems that are causing them. For
additional help with the activation process, go to the product activation article.
Activation error
What it means and how to fix it
Unable to find detailed error description. (Error code:
You might see this error after you used Add features
0xC004C4AA)
toWindows 8.1 or Add features to Windows 8 to upgrade
your current edition of Windows
Unable to activate Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
orWindows 8 Pro with Media Center
or Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. You can only
activate different editions of Windows on PCs that had
Windows preinstalled, or Windows was purchased on
theWindows website or at a retail store. To fix the
problem, you need to install Windows with the product
key provided to you in a purchase confirmation email or
with the DVD. If you think you've received this message
in error, contact aMicrosoft Customer Support
representative.
Unable to find a detailed error description. (Error code:
You might see this error after adding the Windows
0xC004C400)
Media Center Pack and trying to enter your new product
key. To fix the problem, you can activate Windows by
Unable to activate Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
orWindows 8 Pro with Media Center
phone.
Activation error
What it means and how to fix it
1.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and
then tap Search.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right
corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up,
and then click Search.)
2.
Enter SLUI 04 in the search box, and then tap or
3.
clickSLUI 04.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
Genuine Validation detected tampered Windows binaries. (Error
You might see this error if you used a third-party app to
code: 0xC004C4AE)
add a display language that isn't currently supported by
Windows. To fix the problem, you can restore your PC to
an earlier point in time to undo the changes that were
made to Windows. For more info, see How to refresh,
reset, or restore your PC.
The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified
You might see this error if you're using a product key to
product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean
upgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 8, but a previous
installations. (Error code: 0xC004F061)
version of Windows wasn't installed on your PC. To
upgrade, you need to have Windows 8, Windows 7,
Windows Vista, or Windows XP already on your PC. For
more info, see Why can't I activate Windows?
Activation error
What it means and how to fix it
A networking problem has occurred while activating your copy
You might see this error if your firewall settings are
of Windows. (Error code: 0xC004FC03)
preventing Windows from completing the activation
process online. To fix the problem, you can activate
Windows by phone instead.
1.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and
then tap Search.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right
corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up,
and then click Search.)
2.
Enter SLUI 04 in the search box, and then tap or
3.
clickSLUI 04.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
The activation server reported that the product key has
You might see this error if the product key has already
exceeded its unlock limit. (Error code: 0xC004C008)
been used on another PC, or it's being used on more PCs
than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. To fix
the problem, you'll need to buy a product key for each
one of your PCs to activate Windows on them.
This product key didn't work. (Error code: 0xC004C003)
If you recently used Add features to Windows 8 to get an
edition of Windows with more features, you might see
this error if you immediately updated to Windows 8.1 in
Activation error
What it means and how to fix it
the Windows Store. To fix this problem, you'll need to
contact aMicrosoft Customer Support representative.
You might also see this error if you're using an invalid
product key. You'll need to buy a new product key, or if
you bought a PC with Windows preinstalled, contact the
PC manufacturer for the original key.
The activation server reported that the Multiple Activation Key
This error occurs when a Volume License (a license that
has exceeded its limit. (Error code: 0xC004C020)
has been bought from Microsoft by a business to install
Windows on multiple PCs) has been used on more PCs
than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. To fix
the problem, you might need to use a different product
key to activate your PC. Contact your system admin for
more info.
DNS name does not exist. (Error code: 0x8007232B)
You might see this error if you're trying to activate your
work PC but aren't connected to your workplace's
The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
network. If you're connected to your work network and
(Error code: 0x8007007B)
still see this error, you might need to change your
network settings. Contact your system admin for more
info.
Activation error
What it means and how to fix it
If you don't have a system admin, you might need to
enter your product key again. Follow these steps:
1.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and
then tap Search.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right
corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up,
and then click Search.)
2.
Do one of the following:

In Windows 8.1, enter product key in the
search box, and then tap or click Change
your Windows product key.
Under Windows, tap or clickChange
product key, and then enter your 25character product key.

In Windows 8, enter SLUI 03 in the search
box, and then tap or click SLUI 03. Enter
your 25–digit product key, and then tap or
click Activate.
You might be asked for an admin password or
to confirm your choice.
A security error occurred. (Error code: 0x80072F8F)
You might see this error if the PC’s date and time are
incorrect or Windows is having trouble connecting to the
Activation error
What it means and how to fix it
online activation service and can't verify your product
key.
To verify your PC's date and time, follow these steps:
1.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and
then tap Search.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right
corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up,
and then click Search.)
2.
Enter date and time in the search box, and then
do one of the following:

In Windows 8.1, tap or click Date and time
settings.

In Windows 8, tap or click Settings, and then
tap or click Date and Time.
To check your Internet connection, follow these steps:
1.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and
then tap Search.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right
corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up,
and then click Search.)
2.
Enter network troubleshooter in the search box,
and then do one of the following:
Activation error
What it means and how to fix it

In Windows 8.1, tap or click Identify and
repair network problems.

In Windows 8, tap or click Settings, and then
tap or click Identify and repair network
problems.
The Software Licensing Service reported that the license
You might see this error after installing third-party
evaluation failed. (Error code: 0xC004E003)
software that changed system files. Windows activation
needs certain system files to complete activation. You
can try to restore your PC's system files back to an earlier
point in time. This will remove any software you installed
after that point in time without affecting your personal
files. For more info, seeHow to refresh, reset, or restore
your PC.
Unspecified error. (Error code: 0x80004005)
If you see this error, try activating again. If that doesn't
work, you might need to restore, refresh, or reset your
PC. For more info, see How to refresh, reset, or restore
your PC.