If you were trying to activate Windows, but at some point you got the error 0x8004FC12 on your computer, this means that the valid license is not available . This can happen for many reasons, but mostly it happens if the activation servers are busy or you currently have a poor internet connection. However, the reason for the occurrence of error code 0x8004FC12 is not only due to the reasons just mentioned, it sometimes occurs even if there are old pending updates on the computer . It comes with an error message: Windows cannot be activated at this time. Try to activate again later.
How do you go about fixing it all? To resolve the Windows activation error 0x8004FC12, you can use one of these 4 methods:
- Disable Windows Firewall
- Test your internet connection
- Run the fsutil command to clear old update operations
- Run the Windows Activation Troubleshooter
- Use the Windows mobile activation method
The topics of the post [ hide ]
- 11] Disable Windows Firewall
- 22] Test Internet connectivity
- 33] Run the FSUTIL command to cancel pending operations
- 44] Run the Windows Activation Troubleshooter
- 55] Use phone activation to fix error 0x8004FC12
1] Disable Windows Firewall
As the first method that I recommend you to try to resolve the error code 0x8004FC12, is to temporarily disable the Windows firewall. If you are using third-party anti-malware programs and your firewall is managed by it, you must disable them until the procedure is complete. Also, don’t forget to re-enable the Firewall once activation is successful. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click on the Windows Defender Firewall option.
- Select the Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off option from the left.
Windows defender virus and threat protection
- In the Private Network Settings section , select theTurn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) check box to disable Windows Firewall.
- Then go to the Public Network Settings section and select the Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended)checkbox .
- Now click the OKbutton to apply the changes.
- After performing the above actions, go ahead and try to activate Windows.
2] Test Internet connectivity
One of the most common causes that could lead to a failure to activate the Windows operating system is the internet connection speed.
So, if after trying the first method, i.e. disabling Windows Firewall you still encounter the same error code, check the internet connection on your computer. Then proceed with activation.
3] Run the FSUTIL command to cancel pending operations
If there are old pending updates inside your operating system, you need to know that this could be the reason why the activation error occurs in Windows 10.
If you find yourself in this situation, you need to clear old Windows operations by running the FSUTIL command in the command prompt.
To do this, proceed as follows:
- Run Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Copy and paste the following commands into the Command Prompt window and press Enter after each line:
net localgroup Local service administrators / add
fsutil resource setautoreset true C: \
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
After running the commands, restart your computer and see if you can now activate Windows.
4] Run the Windows Activation Troubleshooter
The Activation Troubleshooter is a built-in application on Windows operating systems that you can use to troubleshoot common activation issues in Windows. Running this tool should be your first priority if you are facing such a problem on your device. To do this, you can use the following steps:
- Open the Startmenu and select the Settings option .
- Click the Update & Securitycategory .
- Select the Troubleshootsubmenu .
- Now move to the right and click on the Troubleshoot link.
- Click the Yesbutton if UAC is displayed on the screen.
- Follow the onscreen instructions if you find a solution to activate Windows.
- Otherwise select I recently changed hardware on this device.
- Choose your device name and click Activate.
Once the steps are complete, restart your computer and see if it helped activate Windows in any way.
5] Use phone activation to fix 0x8004FC12 error
As a last resort, you can try activating Windows by phone, to fix error 0x8004FC12.
The procedure for using phone activation is:
- Press the Win + R keys to launch the Rundialog .
- Type slui 4in the text field and press Enter .
- Now select your regionfrom the list and then press Next .
- Windows will now make an automatic call.
- During this, read yourinstallation ID to get the confirmation ID. Now read aloud the confirmation ID you receive from the automated system.
- Enter theconfirmation ID in the box and click the Activate button.
- Now hang up the phone call and restart your computer.
After completing the above guidelines successfully, your Windows should be activated now. In case you keep getting the same error on your PC, you can contact the Microsoft agent and ask for their help.
