What should I check first if I see symptoms of Windows not being authenticated?

First, proceed with the ‘Completely restart your PC’ step. Temporary driver and service errors can often be recovered just by restarting. We recommend that you avoid changing multiple settings at once and check to see if your symptoms change after each step.

How do I check the candidate cause ‘license type or hardware change’?

If there is no change in the first step, compare in order through ‘App recovery/reset or using official reinstallation’. If symptoms disappear immediately after certain actions or the conditions for their occurrence change, this can be an important clue in narrowing down the cause.

Windows Activation Error: When Do I Need a Professional Check?

Even if you follow the above solution steps in order, if Windows is not authenticated repeatedly, or if hardware abnormalities such as burning smell, abnormal noise, overheating, or failure to recognize parts appear together, we recommend backing up important data and having a professional inspection.

PC FIX

Computer Troubleshooting Guide

Windows

Problems causing Windows activation errors

Among Windows problems, the “Windows not activated” symptom may be related to license type or hardware change, or Microsoft account/server issues. Avoid unnecessary resets by distinguishing between app recovery/reinstallation and Windows system problems.

Solving Order
We've organized the methods starting with the simplest and least expensive ones. Please check the solutions one by one, starting from the top.

Do you have these symptoms?

Windows not authenticated
activation error
Product key error

main causes

Change license type or hardware
Microsoft account/server issues

How to solve

Please check them in order from the top. If the issue is resolved, you do not need to proceed to the next step.

Completely restart your PC

Temporary driver and service errors can often be recovered just by restarting.

Difficulty Easy time 2-5 minutes cost 0 won

1Save the file you are working on.
2From the Start menu, select Power → Restart.
3After rebooting, see if the same symptom occurs again.

confirmation point

If it's normal right after rebooting, it's most likely a temporary software error. After these steps, see if the “Windows not activated” symptom decreases or disappears. If there is no change, also check the possibility of changing the license type or hardware in the next step.

Use app recovery/reset or official reinstall

You can reconfigure corrupted app files and settings.

Difficulty Easy time 10~30 minutes cost 0 won

1Find the problem app in Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
2If there is a recovery option, run it first.
3If that doesn't work, back up any necessary data and then reset or reinstall with the official installation file.

Check for Windows updates

Updates may fix known errors in the operating system and underlying drivers.

Difficulty Easy time 10~30 minutes cost 0 won

1Open Settings → Windows Update.
2Click Check for updates to install any pending updates.
3After installation is complete, restart your PC.

Check Windows system files

Corrupted system files can create boot, explorer, app, and update problems.

Difficulty Moderate time 15-40 minutes cost 0 won

1Open a terminal or command prompt with administrator privileges.
2Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
3After completion, run sfc /scannow.
4When the scan is finished, restart your PC.

Check for disk errors and recent changes

Corrupted system files or recurring app errors may be due to storage or recent system changes.

Difficulty Moderate time 20~60 minutes cost 0 won

1Check drive error checking and SMART status.
2Check the system utilities and drivers installed immediately before the problem.
3If necessary, review installing System Restore or Recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've put together a list of things we frequently check regarding this issue.

Related issues

If the symptoms do not match exactly, please check the issue below.

Windows

Issues where program installation or uninstallation fails

If “program not installed” repeats, it is better to narrow it down to incomplete installation information, Windows Installer, or permission issues rather than changing several settings at once. Avoid unnecessary resets by distinguishing between app recovery/reinstallation and Windows system problems.

View solutions →

Windows

Microsoft Store not opening

If “Microsoft Store does not open” repeatedly, it is better to narrow the scope to store cache corruption, time and region settings rather than changing several settings at once. Avoid unnecessary resets by distinguishing between app recovery/reinstallation and Windows system problems.

View solutions →

Windows

Problems with Windows programs or apps not running

If you see the “Program won’t run” symptom, possible causes include corrupted app files or settings, or required runtime/permission issues. Avoid unnecessary resets by distinguishing between app recovery/reinstallation and Windows system problems.

View solutions →

Windows

The program does not run due to an error that the DLL file is missing.

If you see “dll missing” symptoms, possible causes include not installing required runtime or damaged app files. Avoid unnecessary resets by distinguishing between app recovery/reinstallation and Windows system problems.

View solutions →

Look for other symptoms too

If you enter the symptoms you are currently seeing in the PC FIX search box, we will find the related problem.

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