Your product key has reached its activation limit
How activation counts work for Office LTSC 2024, and how to activate when the online count is used up
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Office LTSC 2024 activates with a Multiple Activation Key (MAK). Microsoft explains that "Each MAK has a predetermined number of allowed activations" and that "Each Office activation that uses MAK counts toward the activation limit." When the online count has been used up, activation over the internet stops working, and the next step is Microsoft's Product Activation Portal.
Microsoft's activation error reference gives these messages for the codes you may see in the ospp.vbs output.
| Code | Microsoft's message |
|---|---|
| 0xC004C020 | "The activation server reported that the Multiple Activation Key has exceeded its limit." |
| 0xC004C021 | "The activation server reported that the Multiple Activation Key extension limit has been exceeded." |
Why a reinstall uses an activation
Microsoft's guidance is that "After Office is activated, no reactivation is required unless the hardware changes significantly." Every new installation activates again, though, and that includes reinstalling Office after resetting Windows. Each of those activations counts towards the limit.
When Office is damaged, use Repair Office before you think about uninstalling and reinstalling it.
What to do
- Try activating through the portal, following Activate Office when online activation doesn't work.
- If the portal doesn't give you a Confirmation ID, contact us with your order number, the error code, and when Office was installed and activated on the PC. We look at it under our Return Policy, as set out in Refunds and replacements.
Windows keys
For Windows 11 Pro, the messages are different. Codes such as 0xC004C008, 0xC004C770 and 0x803FA071 mean, in Microsoft's words, that "the product key has already been used on another device". Windows activation error codes explains those, and what to send us.