Due to various reasons, users may get an error code 0xc004c003 when try to activate the Windows 10 online. This may be because of invalid key or Microsoft server is busy. Whenever this happens, the activation of the Windows will be temporarily suspended as long as the error remains. In such a situation, it can become very difficult for the user to continue with the normal work processes. Therefore, resolving this error is necessary.
Usually, the user will see below error message on their PC:
Windows Activation error code 0xC004C003
In this post, we will explain the common reason for error code 0xc004c003 while trying to activate Windows 10 and how to fix it.
Quick Overivew
Common 0xc004c003 Errors
It throws an error message saying:
- 0xc004c003 product key blocked Windows 10 – If you are receiving this error message, that means the server is considering that the product key is not valid. Make sure that you are using an original key, and report to the Microsoft.
- Microsoft error code 0xc004c003 – if you are receiving this message, then it simply means that the server is currently busy. In that case, try to activate after a few hours, it should work fine.
- 0xc004c003 Windows 10 activation error – This means that you have not properly upgraded to Windows 10.
How to fix Error Code 0xc004c003 in Windows 10 OS?
Please note that Windows 10 must be activated in order to use it, otherwise it will show error code 0xc004c003 in your system. Let’s follow a few short and quick ways to fix this error code:
Checking the Product Key
- To check the product key, click on the windows logo.
- Type Control Panel, and click on it.
- Click on System and Security, then click on System.
- You will then see the basic information about your computer.
- You will see the product key is displayed in the bottom. Check for its validity by going into Microsoft website.
- If the product key is valid, the Windows is active. If not, Windows is not activated will be displayed in the window that was showing the basic information about your computer.
- In that case, get a valid product key of your Windows from Microsoft and use it to reinstall the Windows again.
Go to Windows Troubleshooter
- Click on the Start.
- Go on Settings and click on it.
- In the settings, you will see Update & Security at the bottom. Click on it.
- Choose Activation located on the left-hand side:
- And now choose Troubleshoot.
- Then you will see the option of Fix problems with Windows Update located below which you need to select.
- After selecting, the troubleshooting will start automatically. If any error is found, it will be displayed and subsequent action will be advised to the users which they need to follow.
- Once finished, the user will be asked to check that the process is finished.
- Once done, restart the system without any delay so that the changes made are saved and made permanent.
Normally, the error code 0xc004c003 should be solved by now. If not, the other methods of the solution should be tried out.
Resetting and Restoring the PC
If none of the above-mentioned steps has been successful to remove the error code 0xc004c003, then the best bet for the user is to reset the system. By resetting the system, the current bugs will be removed, and the user can restore the system to the last saved version. After the Windows gets restored, the required files from the directory will be automatically imported to the main system folder.
- For resetting the system, one has to click on the Windows button.
- In settings, find Update & Security. Then click on it.
- Below Update & Security, you will see the option of Recovery. Click on it.
- Click on Get started and you will see the option reset this PC. Clicking on that will reset the PC completely.
It is important to back up the data beforehand, as resetting will completely wipe out the memory of the system.
By now, the error code 0xc004c003 should be solved. One can check it by trying to update the Windows again. If the error persists till now, then something serious has happened which is obstructing the proper functioning of the Windows Operating System. On such cases, two more extended methods of solving the error code 0xc004c003 is given below.
Contact with Microsoft should be done after changing the Hardware
Whenever a user activates the Windows, the registration of the configuration of the hardware can be done with the activation servers of Microsoft. There is an advantage in this method. If someone needs to install the Windows OS again, the product key is no more required for activation because the registration of the hardware is checked via digital verification. This process has a catch though. Whenever a major part or component of the machine is changed, this digital verification tends to stop. As a result, Windows does not get activated anymore. Therefore, Microsoft Support Team should be contacted to get detail support.
Updating the BIOS
One of the serious reasons why the Windows OS cannot be updated is because of the BIOS. Please note that we don’t suggest to make any changes in BIOS without having the proper knowledge. The status of the BIOS is directly connected to the status of the hardware of the system. When the problem starts directly from hardware or BIOS, the best way to resolve it is to update the BIOS. Not only does the update of BIOS is likely to solve the error code 0xc004c003, but it is also equally likely to solve any of the issues faced by the system due to its hardware. Additional features may get added as well.
However, the update of BIOS is complex, and one needs to be extra careful while doing it. A slight mistake can cause the motherboard and the entire circuit to get damaged permanently. Even though the procedure is risky, following the proper steps carefully will ensure that the BIOS update is successfully done. This is one of the core procedures to correct the issues of incompatibility in the system. Most of the users have reported that updating the BIOS fixed the error code 0xc004c003 successfully.
However unlikely it may be, the error code 0xc004c003 may still not get resolved even after this. On such rare cases, it is advised to ask for the professional Microsoft tech support services.
