Windows Server Deactivated

Question

I have a few VM's in Azure - two of them are not reporting that they are not activated. How can that be ? Dont we get Activated servers when we spin up new VM's in Azure ? Isnt that what we are paying for ? How can they become deactivated all of a sudden ? How do I rectify this ? I don't remember entering any product keys when we spun up the new VM's

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi Mike,

Was it custom image or marketplace image? As Marketplace image already has a valid key activated and for others there some guidelines you can check the troubleshooting steps here.

troubleshoot-activation-problems

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Answer 2

You could work through this one.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/troubleshoot-activation-problems

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Answer 3

Hello @mike ,
I am sorry to hear that.
If you have used marketplace image, then ideally you should not be facing any activation problem. However, can you check and confirm if you are using a marketplace image or a custom image to spin up the new VM?
Activation issues crop up with custom images. The links that have been shared below by Jimmy and Patrick are the troubleshooting documents for custom image activation issues.
I would like to hear back from you so that I can help you further on this. Thanks :)