Cant activate Windows 11 on my new PC

Darryl Chin 25 Reputation points
2026-04-07T10:45:51.09+00:00

I keep getting "We can't reactivate Windows as our servers aren't available right now. Wait for a few minutes or try adding your Microsoft account again." when using the troubleshooter. I signed in the same account my digital license is linked to but still can't get Windows 11 Pro to activate on my new PC. My old PC is still with me, what do I have to do to get it to work ?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation

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2026-04-07T10:46:06.6966667+00:00

Use the Activation troubleshooter on the new PC and, if needed, reactivate using the old PC as the source of the digital license.

  1. On the new PC (Windows 11 Pro):
    1. Sign in with an administrator account that uses the same Microsoft account as the one linked to the digital license.
    2. Make sure the device is online.
    3. Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation.
    4. If Windows isn’t activated, select Troubleshoot. If the troubleshooter opens, choose I changed hardware on this device recently, then Next.
    5. Sign in with the same Microsoft account again if prompted.
    6. In the list of devices linked to that account, select the old PC and check This is the device I’m using right now, then select Activate.
    If the troubleshooter shows We can't reactivate Windows as our servers aren't available right now, wait and retry later, as activation requires Microsoft’s activation servers to be reachable. Ensure the network connection is stable and not blocking Microsoft services.
  2. If the troubleshooter still fails repeatedly:
    1. On the old PC, confirm Windows is activated and still linked to the same Microsoft account (Settings > System > Activation).
    2. Make sure the old PC appears under the same Microsoft account’s devices and is online at least once so the license association is synced.
    3. After that, repeat the troubleshooter steps on the new PC.
  3. If activation still does not complete after server errors clear:
    • Run the Windows Activation troubleshooter from the Get Help app as described in Get help with Windows activation errors.
    • If the troubleshooter cannot fix the issue or no suitable device appears, contact Microsoft support from that page to have activation reviewed and, if eligible, re-assigned.

If the original license was a free upgrade or otherwise not eligible for transfer, the troubleshooter may not be able to move it to the new PC; in that case a new product key or license would be required.

References:

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  1. Kapil Arya 38,471 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-04-08T09:29:07.67+00:00

    Can you share us if this is retail or OEM license.

    If you've the product key, try slmgr /ipk <your-product-key> command to install product key via Command Prompt.

    Then use next command slmgr /ato to activate.

    Let us know if this helps!

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    3 people found this answer helpful.
  2. DaveM121 933.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-04-07T11:18:43.92+00:00

    1

    Where did you get your Windows Pro licence was that pre-installed on the new PC or did you purchase a full retail Windows licence from Microsoft or from a 3rd party retailer, and if so, do you have the product key?

    Or is your Windows licence based on a previous Windows 7 or 8 licence?

    2

    Click your Start Button, type cmd then right click Command Prompt and choose 'Run as Administrator'

    Run or paste this command and hit Enter:

    slmgr.vbs /dlv

    Please post a screenshot of the resulting dialog

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    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Chris Schaedler 0 Reputation points
    2026-06-29T14:33:21.0766667+00:00

    I tried now for more than a week to activate my Win11-License on the new hardware, but sadly the Activation would not show any of my old PCs while they are listed in my devices.

    I also tried to get in contact with the support, but there i could not open a chat-window and as well the phone-support is not allowing to add all my numbers of my telefone (Cellular as well as home-number)

    0800 call-line is not having a person to tell this issue, so i try to get it notified here.:

    If i exchange my hardware (CPU/Mainboard/RAM) and tell the

    System -> Activation -> problemsolving -> i had chaged my hardware

    How comes that this dialogue reverts to see any Device and why can i see the devices still in
    Accounts -> Devices
    ?

    Can someone please reach out to me? i had bought my licenses properly with microsoft, and would like to move the license simply from one PC to another.
    2026-06-29 16_32_04-Screenshot 2026-06-22 112650

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