nagaraju March 4, 2025 0

 

When you purchase this new computer, trying to activate Microsoft Office with the product key might display this error message:

“Double-check your product key and please try again.”

Even though you checked the key with Command Prompt (CMD), it still could not be activated. This can be such a serious issue, but do not worry; there are some methods of troubleshooting.

Possible Reasons Behind the Error Office Activation

Let us now take a focus on some probable reasons why your Office product key doesn’t work:

Wrong product key:

It should not matter if you validated it through CMD. Still, ensure you have typed in the correct characters: No signs, blanks, or characters missing.

Key Already Used:

If it ever got active on other devices, it will not work again unless it is a multi-device license.

Wrong Office Version:

The product key will have to match the Office version installed in your PC.

Internet Issues:

Weak or unstable connections may hinder your activation sometimes.Microsoft Server Issues: The Microsoft activation servers may be down.

How to Troubleshoot Problems

Even with the standard Windows uninstallation of Microsoft 365, some remnants could have remained. In order to ensure total deletion, perform the following steps:

1. Check the Format of the Product Key

Make sure that you have entered the key correctly. Office product keys typically conform to this format:

XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Avoid confusing spellings of characters: O and 0, etc. I and 1, etc.

2. Verify Whether Office Installations Use Your Product Key

Your product key can only be used for a certain version of Office. These are the steps in checking what installed version you have:

  •   Open any of the Office App Word, Excel, and the likes.
  •   Click File – Account.
  •   Read through what version your Office installation says (e.g., Office 2019, Office 365, Office Home & Student).

If the installed version differs from your product key, uninstall the office and download the correct version from the Microsoft website.

3. Preinstalled Check Office and Uninstall

Many brand new computers ship with a preinstalled version of the Microsoft Office trial, which may prevent activation from working correctly.

To uninstall that:

  •   Open Settings – Apps – Installed apps & features
  •   Find Microsoft Office and click Uninstall.
  •   Restart your computer.
  •   Download and install Office on the official Microsoft website.

4. Open the Troubleshooter for Office Activation

The built-in troubleshooter provided by Microsoft can easily spot activation issues and help them to come up:

  •   Open Settings – Update & Security – Troubleshoot
  •   Click on Additional Troubleshooters – Office Activation Troubleshooter.
  •   Follow the onscreen instructions.

Conclusion:

Following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide should help restore the functionality of Windows Update, ensuring your system remains secure and up-to-date. If the Error 80073712 persists,consulting Microsoft Support or seeking assistance from a professional may be necessary.

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