Windows activation error 0xC004F074: No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted
Updated
Cleared for publishing after the automated checks on .
What these 4 codes mean
This page covers 4 codes: 0x8007232B, 0xC004F074, 0xC004F038, 0x8007007B.
0x8007232B: Wrong edition key or not connected to work network
DNS name does not exist. (Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes)
DNS name does not exist. (System Error Codes (9000-11999))
0xC004F074: No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted
The Software Protection Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information. (Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes)
0xC004F038: KMS count is too low
The Software Protection Service reported that the computer could not be activated. The count reported by your Key Management Service (KMS) is insufficient. Please contact your system administrator. (Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes)
0x8007007B: DNS name does not exist (KMS)
0x8007007b DNS name does not exist. (Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes)
The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect. (System Error Codes (0-499))
Code facts
0x8007232B: Wrong edition key or not connected to work network
| Code as Windows shows it | 0x8007232B |
|---|---|
| Type | Win32 error code |
| Symbolic name | DNS_ERROR_RCODE_NAME_ERROR |
| Hexadecimal, 8 digits | 0x8007232B |
| Decimal (unsigned) | 2147951403 |
| Decimal (signed 32-bit) | -2147015893 |
| Severity | failure |
| Facility | 7 FACILITY_WIN32 |
| Windows error number inside this code | 9003 DNS_ERROR_RCODE_NAME_ERROR: DNS name does not exist. |
| Group | Activation errors |
0xC004F074: No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted
| Code as Windows shows it | 0xC004F074 |
|---|---|
| Type | Activation error code |
| Hexadecimal, 8 digits | 0xC004F074 |
| Decimal (unsigned) | 3221549172 |
| Decimal (signed 32-bit) | -1073418124 |
| Group | Activation errors |
Read with care
- Not a standard HRESULT (R bit set without the N bit, MS-ERREF 2.1). Microsoft lists it as a Windows activation (Software Protection) code; do not split it into facility and error number. ([MS-ERREF]: HRESULT, Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes)
0xC004F038: KMS count is too low
| Code as Windows shows it | 0xC004F038 |
|---|---|
| Type | Activation error code |
| Hexadecimal, 8 digits | 0xC004F038 |
| Decimal (unsigned) | 3221549112 |
| Decimal (signed 32-bit) | -1073418184 |
| Group | Activation errors |
Read with care
- Not a standard HRESULT (R bit set without the N bit, MS-ERREF 2.1). Microsoft lists it as a Windows activation (Software Protection) code; do not split it into facility and error number. ([MS-ERREF]: HRESULT, Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes)
0x8007007B: DNS name does not exist (KMS)
| Code as Windows shows it | 0x8007007B |
|---|---|
| Type | Win32 error code |
| Symbolic name | ERROR_INVALID_NAME |
| Hexadecimal, 8 digits | 0x8007007B |
| Decimal (unsigned) | 2147942523 |
| Decimal (signed 32-bit) | -2147024773 |
| Severity | failure |
| Facility | 7 FACILITY_WIN32 |
| Windows error number inside this code | 123 ERROR_INVALID_NAME: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect. |
| Group | Activation errors |
Read with care
- Read as Win32 error 123 this number is ERROR_INVALID_NAME (The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect), but Microsoft's volume activation page describes it as DNS name does not exist (the KMS client can't find the KMS SRV records). Follow the page for the place where you saw the code. (System Error Codes (0-499), Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes)
Code facts: Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes (Microsoft Learn, CC BY 4.0), checked Nov 14, 2026.
Code facts: System Error Codes (9000-11999) (Microsoft Learn, CC BY 4.0), checked Nov 14, 2026.
Code facts: System Error Codes (0-499) (Microsoft Learn, CC BY 4.0), checked Nov 14, 2026.
Where this error shows up
This code shows up when Windows tries to activate or when the product key is checked.
Applies to
- 0x8007232B: Windows 11 (steps taken from the page's Windows 11 section; the page has a separate Windows 10 section where some button paths and steps differ).
- 0xC004F074: Windows 11 and Windows 10 (activation help page has a tab for each)
- 0xC004F038: Windows 11 and Windows 10 (activation help page has a tab for each)
- 0x8007007B: Windows 11 and Windows 10 (activation help page has a tab for each)
Try these first
These steps carry no risk flag in the data. They keep the order of the full list below, which is not reordered. A step without a flag is not a promise that it is safe for your computer.
6 steps to try, in order
Steps are grouped by the Microsoft page they come from. The page lists only what those pages give; other causes of 0x8007232B are not covered.
If this page and Microsoft's page differ, follow Microsoft's page.
Microsoft also gives general steps that cover these codes: see the general steps in the activation errors group. Each block there says which codes its Microsoft page gives the steps for.
From: Get help with Windows activation errors
Source: Get help with Windows activation errors (Microsoft Support), checked Nov 14, 2026. Summary in our own words; Microsoft's page has the full steps.
0x8007232B: Steps follow the Windows 11 tab of Microsoft's activation help page; its Windows 10 tab has its own version of this row (Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025).
Connect to the work network
For a work device, connect it to your workplace network first. If it is connected and the error stays, the network settings may need changing - ask your organization's support person.
No support person? Enter the key again
Go to Start > Settings > System > Activation, select Change product key and type your 25-character key. Windows may ask for an admin password or for confirmation.
From: Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes
Source: Troubleshoot Windows activation error codes (Microsoft Learn), checked Nov 14, 2026. © Microsoft, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Steps shortened and reworded by PC Driver Update.
0x8007232B, 0xC004F074, 0xC004F038: Microsoft's volume activation (MAK/KMS) error page, written for technical support agents and IT professionals.
KMS host and DNS publishing
For 0x8007232B.
Written for IT administrators.
Make sure your organization has installed a KMS host and that DNS publishing is enabled (the default). If DNS isn't available, point the KMS client to your organization's KMS host: open an elevated command prompt and run slmgr.vbs /skms <kms_host_name>, where <kms_host_name> is the name of that KMS host.
No KMS host: use a MAK
For 0x8007232B.
Written for IT administrators.
If you don't have a KMS host, get and install an MAK, then try activating the system again.
If these solutions don't resolve the issue, see Common troubleshooting procedures for KMS and DNS issues.
Check the Application Event Log
For 0xC004F074.
Written for IT administrators.
This occurs when all the KMS host systems the client tries to contact return errors. Open the Application Event Log and identify each event associated with the activation attempt that has an Event ID of 12288.
Troubleshoot each of these errors by following the instructions in Common troubleshooting procedures for KMS and DNS issues.
Add computers to the KMS pool
For 0xC004F038.
Written for IT administrators.
The count on the KMS host isn't high enough: for Windows Server it must be at least 5, for Windows (client) at least 25. Add computers to the KMS pool before using KMS to activate Windows.
To see the current count on the KMS host, run Slmgr.vbs /dli.
Stop and get help
If these steps do not fix the problem, or you are not sure about a step, stop and get help from Microsoft Support or from the maker of your PC. Stop at once if the data on this computer is at risk: back up your files first, or ask a professional before you go on.
Dates and review
| Automated checks | first check: ; second check: ; third check: ; fourth check: |
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| Review status | Cleared for publishing after the automated checks on . |