Error Code 0x80072EFD Windows 11 activation

I purchased a new ASUS laptop from NewEgg. Shipped with Windows 10, and auto-updated to Windows 11 after a few months. A few more months and I started getting "Windows is not Active". I reached out to ASUS support and they gave me a new product key, which worked for a while.... right until the warranty expired, and now I am again getting issues with activation. This the the error message:

"We can't activate Windows on this device as our activation servers aren't available right now. Make sure you're connect to the internet and we'll automatically try to activate Windows when the service becomes available. Error code: 0x80072EFD"

Running the troubleshooter results in "Our activation servers aren't available right now...." So I am thinking a firewall issue. However, I even turned the firewall off and no change.

ASUS won't help me unless I mail the laptop to them and pay an 85$ diagnosis fee.

Any advice on this? I did a lot of Google searching and tried many "fixes" for this error.

First thing I would do is to update to the latest version of Windows 22671.1778 (or higher) and then find a local repair shop, as they could do it quite quickly I guess as activation can be a tricky business, especially if it is in bios as you probably found out by googling it.

The-Hive said:

First thing I would do is to update to the latest version of Windows 22671.1778 (or higher) and then find a local repair shop, as they could do it quite quickly I guess as activation can be a tricky business, especially if it is in bios as you probably found out by googling it.

Click to expand...

I tried to update. I ran the update trouble shooter and it detected and fixed problems, but I am stuck on "We could't install this update, but you can try again (0x80248014)." It is attempting to update to 22H2.

I always upgrade from one version to another manually using an in-place upgrade rather than through windows update.
It's a matter of downloading the iso, mount it, and clicking the setup.exe file within the folder.
Note a repair install and an upgrade is the same procedure. step by step here Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial

That said, the following is copied and pasted from MS forum
The error code 0x80072efd usually occurs if there is some problem with the internet connection.
I suggest you to follow the steps below and see if it helps:
Disable Proxy
If you are using proxy to connect internet please disable that, refer to the steps below to disable proxy:

1. Press “Windows Key” + “R”.
2. Type “inetcpl.cpl”.
3. Go to Connection.
4. Click on LAN Settings.
5. Check the box which saysAutomatically detect settings.
6. Uncheck the box underProxy server.

If you are still facing issues with it, please follow the steps below:
Reset Windows Update Component.

Got it updated to 10.0.22621.1848

glasskuter said:

I always upgrade from one version to another manually using an in-place upgrade rather than through windows update.
It's a matter of downloading the iso, mount it, and clicking the setup.exe file within the folder.
Note a repair install and an upgrade is the same procedure. step by step here Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial

That said, the following is copied and pasted from MS forum
The error code 0x80072efd usually occurs if there is some problem with the internet connection.
I suggest you to follow the steps below and see if it helps:
Disable Proxy
If you are using proxy to connect internet please disable that, refer to the steps below to disable proxy:

1. Press “Windows Key” + “R”.
2. Type “inetcpl.cpl”.
3. Go to Connection.
4. Click on LAN Settings.
5. Check the box which saysAutomatically detect settings.
6. Uncheck the box underProxy server.

If you are still facing issues with it, please follow the steps below:
Reset Windows Update Component.

Reset Windows Update in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to completely reset Windows Update components and policies to default in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft. Sometimes you...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

I had already done this step when I was trying to fix activation. No proxy was set.

I ran an sfc /scannow. Updated to current version. Nothing. I then manually re-entered the product key - a key which does not match the OEM key on the motherboard - and now it says activated. Not sure how long it will last. My assumption that it was a firewall issue was clearly wrong as I did not change any additional firewall settings.

The answer is 24-36 hours. Windows is now not activated again. Same error.

I am going to try Microsoft. There is not much help here.

Wasted an hour on the phone with Microsoft. Downloaded MS Tool Kit and issue solved.

I see you solved you issue, but I have to ask, was Windows activated online the first time? I have seen this message when Windows is not activated online but with some illegal tool and then for some reason the activation expires (illegal key detected?) Obviously you cannot activate again using the online method. The legitimate method is to change the key with a valid one or call Microsoft.