When you try to upgrade your computer to Windows 11/10, you receive Windows Activation error 0xC004F074; then the cause could be due to support version mismatch between the KMS client and the KMS host machine.
0xC004F074 – The Key Management Server (KMS) is unavailable
This error also can occur when there may be a time difference between the KMS client and KMS host machine.
Windows Activation error 0xC004F074
If you receive Activation error code 0xc004f074, then first make sure that your Windows copy is fully updated. Having done this, follow these suggestions to resolve the issue:
- Install the KMS Product Key
- Use Activation Troubleshooter
- Resync Time.
1] Install the KMS Product Key
You will have to uninstall and then reinstall the product key by running CMD as Administrator.
Now to uninstall the existing key, execute the following command:
slmgr.vbs /upk
To install the KMS Product Key, execute this command:
slmgr.vbs /ipk <The KMS Product Key>
Once done, you will get a prompt about whether the operation was successful.
To activate the key online, execute this command:
slmgr.vbs /ato
To learn how to activate it using the telephone, execute this command:
slui.exe 4
After activating the KMS key, reboot your computer.
You can then also verify the Activation Status to check if your fix was successful.
Related read: Fix Windows Activation Error Code 0x8007007B.
2] Use Activation Troubleshooter
The Windows Activation Troubleshooter will help you address the most commonly encountered activation issues on Windows devices.
If you cannot activate Windows 10, open Settings > Update & security and click on the Activation button on the left panel. Next, click on the Troubleshoot button.
Read: Windows Activation Errors 0x8007232B, 0xC004F038, 0x8007007B.
3] Resync Time
Run the following command to resync the time on the client machine:
w32tm /resync
See if this helps you.
Read more: Troubleshoot KMS Activation on Windows Server.
