28,658 questions
Hello,
See if anything from here helps you:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/activation-troubleshoot-kms-issues
Regards.
kms broke after windows update
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Seth Simmons
1
Reputation point
I built a windows 10 1803 system a couple years ago to run as kms host for windows 10 vdi. It has been working fine. However, I just updated to 2004 and now it is broke. After the last reboot it said windows is not activated. it says no kms server could be contacted and to check the application log (when i ran slmgr /ato). The application log only shows that an activation request was sent to the kms server (itself) but that's it. I do have a snapshot and can revert back to 1803. I did this a couple times already (including going to 1903) and won't activate after updating.
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Joy Qiao 4,911 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator2020-08-10T06:20:18.423+00:00 Hi,
Would you upload command result after runing "slmgr /dlv" and KMS log on server and client side for more information to troubleshoot?
Make sure KMS server and KMS client have configured with same TCP port, the default TCP port is 1688.Try to reinstall KMS host key by running command line "slmgr.vbs /ipk kms-host-key" as administrator to check if it is available to reactivate.
Please hide your personal data before uploading capture.
Bests ,
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Kapil Arya 8,456 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator2020-08-10T04:52:58.827+00:00 -
Seth Simmons 1 Reputation point
2020-08-10T15:17:13.617+00:00 See if anything from here helps you:
not really...
Is the KMS client computer activated?
Since many are showing x days left until reactivation, built a new windows 10 system. Ran slmgr /ato and failed (0xC0040F74 no kms server could be contacted).
Verify that the KMS activation threshold is met.
It is. Clients were activating before the kms host was updated to more recent versions (tried 1903 and 2004).
On the KMS host computer, look in the KMS event log for event ID 12290.
Only has 12288 showing it sent an activation request to the kms server.
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Darrell Gorter 2,731 Reputation points2020-08-11T13:29:23.643+00:00 Hello,
Sounds like the KMS Host key was lost during the upgrade.
Have you tried reinstalling the KMS host key on the KMS host?
slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxxYou should also file a feedback bug stating that the KMS host key ws lost during the upgrade.
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Seth Simmons 1 Reputation point
2020-08-11T14:16:52.537+00:00 i haven't done that yet but did think about it. i thought when it came to the kms key it was limited to 2 activations (only used 1). would be a hassle to keep contacting VL support for every other upgrade to reset the key count though if it is a bug i will address it with them. a bit surprised though i can't find anything else about this; would have thought someone had come across this by now with windows 10 released some 5 years ago. i can't be the only one using windows 10 kms key on windows 10...
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Darrell Gorter 2,731 Reputation points
2020-08-11T20:50:06.143+00:00 Hello,
If I recall correctly, the KMS host key can be used on 6 KMS hosts and should be able to reactivate a KMS host 10 times.
Unless of course they changed those numbers in the past year. -
Joy Qiao 4,911 Reputation points Microsoft Employee Moderator
2020-08-13T02:46:42.92+00:00 @Darrell Gorter YES, you are right, A KMS Key can activate up to six KMS hosts with 10 activations per host.
@Seth Simmons We have not heard any feedback about lost activation after upgrade, for specific the root cause, we might need to create a ticket for log debug. If it turn out to be caused by Microsoft product, consult fee will refund to you.
For troubleshooting activation issue, please try to run "slmgr /dlv" on KMS host to check activation status, if it lost activation, please run activate it again with "slmgr /ipk product-key" as administrator.
Bests,
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