After upgrading Windows from an earlier version, users attempted to activate their Windows PC with the volume license key, but it failed and showed a strange error message: “We couldn‘t activate Windows. Try activating Windows again or contact Microsoft support and reference the error code. You can go to Settings for more information.”
Along with this message, there was an additional error 0xC004F014.
However, some users went to the store, bought another license key, and again tried to activate Windows, but it failed and still showed the same error code. With this issue, you could see another error message saying –
0xC004F014, The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is not available
The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is not available
To fix Windows Activation Error 0xc004f014, follow the below suggestions:
- Use a MAK or KMS key
- Run Windows Activation Troubleshooter
- Activate Windows by Phone
Let us see them in detail:
1] Use a MAK or KMS key
Since this is an Enterprise Volume Licensing Error, you need to install a MAK product key or install a KMS Setup key found in \sources\pid.txt on the installation media.
You can also contact your IT admin to ask for a product key, or he can activate that computer for you.
2] Run Windows Activation Troubleshooter
Since this problem occurs when you try to activate Windows with a volume license key, try running the Windows Activation Troubleshooter and check if it works. Once it is done, restart your computer and check if Activation error 0xc004f014 is solved.
Note: This method can only be applied if the troubleshooter has a resolution for you.
3] Activate Windows by Phone
Next, you can try to activate Windows by phone. Here is how to do it:
- Click on the Start button, type ‘Slui 4’, and then select the top of the result.
- Choose your country from the list and hit Next. Then, select the Phone Activation option.
- On the next screen, keep the window open and then call the toll-free number provided for your country.
- Explain your problem clearly to the support person.
- At this time, you will get a confirmation ID; note it down.
- Then, type the confirmation ID in the box and click on the Activate button to fix all the issues regarding your Windows OS.
Once you complete, reboot your computer and check for the error 0xc004f014.
Read: Windows key not working in game in Windows
Is it possible to recover the Windows product key?
Yes, you can use third-party software to find the installed key on your PC and use it to reactivate Windows when you reinstall. In addition, if you sign in using your Microsoft account, it will be linked to it. So, the next time you reinstall Windows, sign in with the same account, and Windows will autoactivate.
How to recover the Windows product key using cmd?
You can execute the wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey command on an elevated terminal to view the product key.
