Several users reported encountering an activation error code 0x803F700F after they upgraded their PCs to their next available OS Build versions. If you are one such user and are looking for some working fixes for it, you don’t need to look any further.
In this post, we have discussed all the reasons that might have caused this activation issue in the first place along with six workarounds for this. When this error occurs, you might see an error message as depicted in the screenshot below.
What is this Activation Error Code?
It is quite evident from the name itself that it is a Windows Activation Error and it prevents users from using some main features like putting a wallpaper on their display screen.
Several factors may contribute to this issue and some of them are as follows –
- Slow Internet Connection
- Activation Servers are down
- Incorrect Date & Time
Fix Windows Activation Error Code 0x803F700F
Now that you know what may cause an activation error 0x803F700F in Windows, let’s learn six workarounds that would help you overcome this issue.
1. Check your Internet Connectivity
Before you apply any solution, make sure to inspect the internet connectivity on your Windows PC. Being connected to a slow network often results in an activation failure.
If this indeed is the case, you may connect to a different ISP or WiFi. Alternatively, you may also request your network provider to check for internal glitches. Only when you are sure of getting a proper network connection, restart your PC, and check if you can activate Windows normally now.
2. Use a valid 25-digit Product key
Many users get the 25-digit product key online. The keys available there are either generic or faulty ones. While the generic keys are used to install Windows successfully onto your PC, the latter ones are of not any significant use.
If you don’t own a genuine product key from Microsoft, make sure to get an official one from Microsoft Store. You may then use it to activate your Windows copy.
3. Activate Windows with a Digital License
Microsoft supports activating Windows using a digital license as well. This works only in cases where you use a Microsoft account and your Windows copy gets licensed using the digital license associated with your account.
So, if you don’t have a genuine product key, but you do have a valid one from the last time you logged into your Microsoft account on your previous computers, sign in to your official account. Your Windows will get activated momentarily after you log in.
4. Wait for Microsoft Servers to be up and running again
When you are manually activating your Windows, Microsoft servers must remain up and running. Activation issues pop up mostly when the servers are down and not running again. So, wait for the servers to be up again and check if you can activate your Windows copy.
5. Check Date & Time
Many a time, incorrect Date and time settings in Windows may also result in activation failure issues. Go and check the current Date/Time on your computer first.
In case you find an incorrect Date and Time in your device’s settings, correct and sync them as per your regional settings. Here’s how to perform this task –
- Press Windows + X, and select Settings.
- Go to Time & language, and select Date & time.
- Enable the toggle switches next to Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
- Scroll a bit down further to Additional settings, and hit the Sync now button.
Close the Settings window and restart your PC. You may next go to Settings > System > Activation, and check if you can activate Windows normally now.
6. Activate Windows using SLMGR via CMD
If none of the above methods works to resolve the activation issues on your Windows PC, you may try activating Windows using CMD as well. Here’s how –
- Launch Command Prompt as administrator first.
- On the elevated console, type the following, and press Enter –
slmgr.vbs.ipk <Your Product Key>
- Next, execute this code on the same console –
slmgr.vbs/ato
Your system will automatically connect to Microsoft Servers and try to activate your Windows copy.
7. Activate Windows via Phone
If the CMD method also fails to activate your Windows copy, you should get in touch with Microsoft Support and use your phone to activate your PC.
Windows Activation Error Codes and What They Mean?
Different activation error codes arise on account of varied reasons. So, they require an independent approach to solve them. Here’s an article describing different activation errors, their reasons, and what you may do to overcome them on your Windows PC.
