Bios update and windows need activation

Question

Bios update and windows need activation

Andrea De Biase 0

I just updated my Bios and i need to reactivate windows 11. However it fails to reactivate and when seeking help via sw is looping me in a no end solution

EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-01T17:54:46.7133333+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Just to make sure, motherboard change is not involved here, just BIOS update, right?

2 answers

Your answer

EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-01T17:54:46.7133333+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Just to make sure, motherboard change is not involved here, just BIOS update, right?

Answer 1

Hi, Andrea De Biase

A BIOS update can sometimes change the hardware information Windows uses to recognize the PC. Since the normal activation process is looping, the next step is to identify the license type and try activation outside that loop.

Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try:

Right-click Start, select Terminal (Admin), enter slmgr.vbs /dlv, and press Enter. Check the License Status, Product Key Channel, and activation error code. Do not post the full product key or Product ID publicly. This information helps determine whether the license is Retail, OEM, or Volume.

If Windows originally came with the computer, install ShowKeyPlus from the Microsoft Store. Check whether it finds an OEM key stored in the BIOS. Only share a screenshot after hiding the key itself.

Try the official online or offline activation process. Offline activation uses an Installation ID and Confirmation ID, so it can bypass a failing online activation attempt.

If ShowKeyPlus finds no OEM key, contact the PC manufacturer. The BIOS update may have removed or changed the system’s licensing information, which the manufacturer may need to correct.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you.

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Kai-H 26,135 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-09T09:18:18.1+00:00

Hi, Andrea De Biase

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue.

Have you had a chance to check the replies provided?

Any update would be appreciated.

Answer 2

A BIOS update can make Windows 11 appear to be on different hardware, which can break activation.

Try this end-to-end path:

Open Start > Settings > System > Activation.
If Troubleshoot is available, run it. This option is available only when Windows is not activated, and an internet connection is required.
In the troubleshooter, choose the option for a recent hardware change if it appears, then select the previously activated device to reactivate Windows.
If Windows was activated with a product key, go to Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key and enter the 25-character key.
Check that the installed edition matches the license. In Settings > System > Activation, confirm whether the device is running Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. If the edition does not match the license, activation will fail.
If the motherboard was replaced by the original PC manufacturer, the PC should reactivate automatically. If it does not, use the product key from the COA card if one was provided.

If the troubleshooter keeps looping or does not resolve it, the supported next step is to use the activation error help page or contact Microsoft customer support.