Error 0x80010105 when troubleshooting Windows Activation

Question

Windows 11 (Build 22000.1817) on my Dell XPS 15 9500 says it's not activated since Dell repaired it. I think they swapped the motherboard or something. When I click the "Troubleshoot" button on the Activation screen in the Settings app, I get an error "Something interrupted troubleshooting. Make sure you're connected to the Internet, wait a few minutes, and try again. (0x80010105)"

What can I do to fix this? I've tried everything I found online related to this error, but I still can't activate Windows.

Answer 1

Hello, I’m Virginia, a fellow user like yourself.

Sorry to hear you’re experiencing problems. May I ask which Windows 11 build are you running - 21H2 or 22H2?

Did Windows come pre-installed on the pc or was it purchased separately? If it was pre-installed then it would be OEM & this 'died' with the Motherboard. If Dell replaced the Motherboard then they may need to supply a new key/license.

If Retail then there are a few things you can try. I understand you've tried some things so I apologise if I suggest things which you've already done.

Are you using any third party antivirus software or VPN? if yes then disable this or even better uninstall it using the developer's removal tool & try activating again.

Have you checked to see if you can download updates &/or apps from the Store? if this also fails then let me know. Can you access the Internet OK or does this fail too?

Have you tried entering the default Windows key? Home/Core: YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7
Are you connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet? If Wi-Fi can you try Ethernet? Have you reset the network settings?

Start>Settings>Network & Internet>Advanced Network settings>Click Reset Network.

Ensure Ethernet's TCP/IP is set to Automatic.

Answer 2

Thank you for your reply.

I'm on build 21H2.

Windows did come pre-installed on this laptop. I can't remember exactly what Dell replaced when they repaired the device. Maybe it wasn't the motherboard but just the memory.

I'm not using any third-party antivirus, VPN or firewall. Just the standard Windows Defender stuff.

The computer works just fine otherwise. It's online, I can install and uninstall applications, I even get Windows updates.

I didn't know about "default keys". I have Windows 11 Pro, so I searched for a default key for that. I found VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T, but I couldn't apply it: "The product key you entered didn't work. Check the product key and try again, or enter a different one. (0xc0000022)"

I'm connected via Wi-Fi and the computer doesn't have an ethernet port, so I can't try that.

Resetting the network settings didn't help either.

Answer 3

Running "slmgr.vbs /dlv" gives me the following message:

"slui.exe 0x2a 0xC0000022" gives me this:

Answer 4

You should also upgrade to 22H2 as not running the same build as was originally installed can affect activation.

Answer 5

Thank you for the update. I would contact Dell as & ask if they replaced the Motherboard, if they did then you’ll require another key. I don’t think changing the RAM/memory would affect activation.

Run this to see what is currently installed & post the screenshot:

Right click on start & choose powershell with admin & enter: slmgr.vbs /dlv It will show if there’s a key in the BIOS & whether it is OEM or Retail. As the MB has been changed don’t worry if it doesn’t show anything.

You can also try contacting Microsoft to see if they’ll allow a one-time activation.

https://support.microsoft.com//help/4051701/

https://support.microsoft.com/contactUs