I remember being prompted on Windows 10 to upgrade to Windows 11. I easily upgraded to Windows 11 and was having a decent time with it. Other than some minor complaints, Windows 11 is a great Operating System.

Sadly, the experience is not smooth for everyone. Many users are complaining about the Activation error, which does not allow them to activate Windows on their systems.

So, you might ask, why is the Activation Error occurring?

The Windows Activation error occurs because the user is using a copied version of Windows purchased by an organization. As the computers in an organization are usually activated through KMS licensing, which also can cause the Activation error to occur.

It is entirely natural for you to be frustrated with this issue, I can relate to that. Still, there is no reason for you to worry.

If you are looking for a fix to this problem, look no further as I have written the best methods in this post below.

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How to Fix Windows Activation Error Server

Although it has been quite a while since Windows 11 got released, there are many Windows 10 users as well. So, I have written the methods in this post with Windows 10 and 11 in mind.

Each procedure is very simple, so there is no reason for you to be nervous. So keep calm and go through the procedures given below.

Here are the methods to fix the Windows Activation Error:

1. Use Command Prompt

You can use the Command prompt to execute the slmgr/ipk command line followed by a product key.

It is very easy to open the Command prompt and input this command line to activate Windows, so do not waste any time and follow the simple steps given below.

Read more on how to Fix DNS Server Not Responding Windows 11.

Here are the steps to use the Command prompt to fix the Activation error:

Click on the Start button and search for the Command Prompt. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
Type in slmgr/ipk followed by any of the product keys given below.
Press the Enter key.
Click on OK.
Go to Settings>Activation to check whether Windows got activated or not.

List of Keys:

Home: TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99

Home N: 3KHY7-WNT83-DGQKR-F7HPR-844BM

Home Single Language: 7HNRX-D7KGG-3K4RQ-4WPJ4-YTDFH

Home Country Specific: PVMJN-6DFY6-9CCP6-7BKTT-D3WVR

Professional: W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX

Professional N: MH37W-N47XK-V7XM9-C7227-GCQG9

Education: NW6C2-QMPVW-D7KKK-3GKT6-VCFB2

Education N: 2WH4N-8QGBV-H22JP-CT43Q-MDWWJ

Enterprise: NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43

Enterprise N: DPH2V-TTNVB-4X9Q3-TJR4H-KHJW4

You can also go to the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows+R keys together on your keyboard and then typing in cmd and clicking on OK or pressing the Enter key.

If this method did not work for you, do not worry, as the other fantastic methods are given below.

2. Upgrade using Media Creation Tool

The Media Creation Tool is software that can be found on the official Microsoft website. It can be used to install both Windows 10 and 11.

So, in this process, you will download the Media Creation Tool and use it to install the version of Windows you want to have on your system.

Keep your calm and follow the simple steps given below.

Here are the steps to Upgrade Windows using Windows Update:

Go to the official Microsft website and download the Media Creation Tool.
Run the Media Creation Tool.
Select Upgrade this PC now.
Click on Next.
Select Download and install updates.
Wait for the download process to finish.
Select Change what to keep and select your files.
Click on Next and then
Wait for the installation process to complete.

If this method did not work for you, do not worry, as the other fantastic methods are given below.

Check out our expert-recommended guide on How To Enable Telnet On Windows 11.

3. Upgrade using Windows Update

If you were not using an activated version of Windows previously, then I bear some bad news. You cannot activate a newer version of Windows with an unactivated version of Windows.

Make sure you had an activated version of Windows before Upgrading to Windows 10 or 11. If your previous version of Windows was activated, but you are still facing the Activation error on Windows 10 or 11, then please follow the straightforward steps given below.

Just a quick note, please remember to revert back to the previous version of Windows before following the given steps.

Here are the steps to fix the Windows Activation error using Windows Update:

Click on the Start button and go to Settings.
Select Windows Update from the left pane.
Check for updates and install them.
Upgrade your Windows if the option to do that is available.

If this method did not work for you, do not worry, as the other fantastic methods are given below.

4. Execute slmgr.vbs Command

You can use the command prompt on Windows to execute many command lines. In this process, we will execute the slmgr.vbs command line in the command prompt.

Following the steps given below will fx the Windows Activation error, so please go through them.

Here are the steps to Execute slmgr.vbs command to fix the Activation error:

Press the Windows+R keys together on your keyboard.
Type in cmd and click on OK or press the Enter key.
Type in vbs –rearm.
Press the Enter key.
Wait for the process to finish.
Click on OK.
Go to Settings>Activation to check whether Windows got activated or not.

If this method did not work for you, do not worry, as the other fantastic methods are given below.

Check our exclusive tutorial on How to Fix Blue Screen on Windows 11.

5. Activate by Phone

This method is fantastic as everyone has a phone nowadays and this procedure requires you to have one.

The steps given below are very straightforward and this whole process is child’s play.

So keep calm and go through the steps given below.

Here are the steps to fix the Windows Activation error using a phone:

Press the Start button and I keys together on your keyboard to open the Settings menu.
Click on Update and Security.
Navigate and click on Activation from the left menu pane.
Select Activate by phone.
Open Product Activation Wizard.
Select Settings.
Click on Change PC settings.
Navigate to and click on Activate Windows.
Follow the on-screen prompts.

If this method did not work for you, do not worry, as the other fantastic methods are given below.

Check out our separate post: Change Power Mode on Windows 11.

6. Run the System File checker

You can use the System File checker to mitigate the Windows activation error easily. You will be running the Command prompt with administrator privileges and running the sfc/scannow command line to check the system files.

Do not worry, as this process is very easy to follow, so keep your cool and go through the steps given below.

Here are the steps to run the system file checker to fix the Windows Activation error:

Click on the Start button and search for the Command Prompt. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
Type in sfc/scannow and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
Wait for the process to finish.
Restart your system.

If this method did not work for you, do not worry, as the other fantastic methods are given below.

7. Run the Troubleshooter

Using the Troubleshooter is a very simple task. So using it to fix the error is nothing different. Please follow the steps given below and you will be good to go.

Here are the steps to run the Troubleshooter: