My Server 2022 Datacenter License is aparantly blocked?

Question

How can my datacenter license be blocked? I am able to upgrade from the EVAL edition to Datacenter edition with the DISM command, everything works until the server is rebooted with the process of upgrading, at that time I am unable to activate.

Tried:

Activation through phone: Not a valid ID.

Activating through Settings: Not a valid license key.

Activating through "slmgr / ato": Error: 0xC004C003 The activation server determined the specific product key is blocked.

As I am able to install the key with the "slmgr /upk 'KEY'" I'd expect the key to be valid.

Aparantly not?

Answer 1

Hello  Finn Erik Langerud，

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

If you're encountering issues with your Windows Server 2022 Datacenter license, specifically with the error code 0xC004C003 indicating that the activation server has determined the product key is blocked, there could be several reasons for this. Here are some steps and considerations to help you troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

Verify the Key

Ensure that the product key you are using is correct and legitimate. If you received the key from a third-party vendor, it's possible that the key may not be genuine or may have been blacklisted. Contact the vendor to confirm the key's legitimacy.

Check Licensing Terms

Make sure that your license key is for Windows Server 2022 Datacenter specifically and not for another version or edition of Windows Server. Windows keys are edition-specific and cannot be cross-applied to different editions or versions.

Contact Microsoft Support

Contact Microsoft Support for assistance. They can provide specific details as to why your key is being blocked and may be able to resolve the issue or provide a replacement key if there has been an error.

Use Genuine Licensing Channels

If you obtained the key through unofficial or non-recommended channels, it could be invalid or already used on another machine. Always use keys obtained through official Microsoft channels or authorized resellers.

Check for Typos

Double-check the key for any typos. Entering the wrong key can result in activation errors.

Run Windows Update

Ensure that your server is up to date. Sometimes, activation issues can be resolved by installing the latest updates.

Reinstall the License Key

You might need to clear the current key and then attempt to reinstall it.

1. Clear the current key:

   
       slmgr.vbs /upk 
   
   

2. Reinstall the key:

   
       slmgr.vbs /ipk [your-product-key] 
   
   

3. Attempt activation again:

   
       slmgr.vbs /ato 
   
   

Volume License and KMS Considerations

If you are using a Volume License Key (VLK) or a Key Management Service (KMS) key, ensure that your server is properly configured to communicate with the KMS server. Sometimes, network issues or KMS server misconfiguration can cause activation failures.

Evaluation Version Considerations

While upgrading from an Evaluation version to a full version is supported, it sometimes requires specific steps or may have restrictions that need to be addressed.

10. Review Licensing Logs

slmgr.vbs /dli 

slmgr.vbs /dlv 

These commands provide detailed licensing information and can give clues about what might be wrong.

I hope the information above is helpful.

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,

Haijian Shan