Server 2022, Can't activate after in place upgrade to fix update problems.

Question

I have two Server 2022 servers that had problems with one update. The update would fail all the time even after trying trouble shooter, SFC, and DCM to fix the problem. As a last resort I did an in place upgrade using the Iso available on the MS website. This fix the update problem but now Server 2022 will not activate on both servers.

Answer 1

These issues can stem from a corrupted licensing state or problems with the Software Protection service that weren't resolved by the in-place upgrade. Here are some workaround to try:

1. Rebuild the Activation Tokens File

A corrupt tokens.dat file can prevent activation. Rebuilding it forces Windows to create a new one.

Open an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell.

Run the following commands in order, pressing Enter after each one:

net stop sppsvc

cd C:\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0ren tokens.dat tokens.bar

net start sppsvc

slmgr /rilc

Once it has rebooted, try to install your product key and activate again using the slmgr /ipk and slmgr /ato commands.

2. Check the Software Protection Platform Service

• Ensure the Software Protection Platform service is running correctly.
• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Locate the Software Protection service in the list.
• Check that its status is Running and its startup type is set to Automatic (Delayed Start). If not, please change it and start the service.

If after trying all of these advanced steps the activation still fails, the issue might be related to the specific ISO you used for the in-place upgrade.

In that scenario, the most reliable solution would be a clean installation of Windows Server 2022 using the non-evaluation media, followed by restoring your data from a backup.

Answer 2

If you are unable to activate Windows Server 2022 after performing an in-place upgrade, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the activation issue:

1. Check Activation Status: Open an elevated Command Prompt and run the command slmgr.vbs /xpr to check the activation status. This will help you determine if the server is activated or if there are any issues.
2. Re-enter Product Key: Sometimes, re-entering the product key can resolve activation issues. Use the command slmgr.vbs /ipk <your-product-key> to input your product key again.
3. Activate via Command Line: After re-entering the product key, you can attempt to activate Windows using the command slmgr.vbs /ato. This forces the server to attempt activation.
4. Check Internet Connection: Ensure that the server has a stable internet connection, as activation requires communication with Microsoft servers.
5. Use the Activation Troubleshooter: If the above steps do not work, you can try the built-in activation troubleshooter. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation, and look for the troubleshooter option.
6. Contact Microsoft Support: If you continue to experience issues, it may be necessary to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance, especially if the servers were upgraded from a different version or if there are licensing concerns.

These steps should help you resolve the activation issue after your in-place upgrade.