Windows 10 activation doesn’t always go easily. There are many things that can go wrong and stop it from happening. The number 0x8007232b goes with one of these errors, which means that the device can’t find the KMS server. “DNS does not exist” or “Windows could not be activated” could be written in the message’s body. We can’t connect to the KMS key management service.
No matter what build of Windows you use, it may fail for reasons that aren’t clear, such as a bad network connection, using the wrong version of the key system, or having a pirated OS. There are several ways to fix this. By using the choices for getting rid of the error one by one, you will get rid of it.
Using the troubleshooter
If you find that Windows 10 activation fails because of error 0x8007232b, you should first get a standard system tool that can fix problems instantly when they are found. Because the network could be having trouble, checking the network device is a good idea. This is what we do: we change the following things:
Press Win + I or look for it in the “Start” menu to get to “Settings”; To change settings in Windows 10, go to “Update and security.”
The “Troubleshooting” tool is in the menu on the left.
Choose “Network adapter” and press the right button to start the troubleshooter;
Choose the network adapter you need or the last choice, which checks all of them, and click “Next” to begin the scan.
While waiting for the test results, the system looks for errors and fixes them if it finds any. Looking at network connections
Flush DNS Cache
One common reason for error number 0x8007232b when activating Windows 10 is that you can’t connect to DNS, which is needed for key authentication. Most of the time, clearing the cache will fix the problem. The normal operating system tool is used to carry out the procedure:
Go to the command line (with administrator powers) by using the search bar or the Start menu. Type “ipconfig /flushdns” into the terminal and press the enter key. You will see a message let you know when the cache cleaning is done. We shut down the computer and restart the device. Then we check to see if the issue is still there.
Using SLUI 3
SLUI (Software Licensing User Interface), a user interface licensing program, is another way to do it. So, if activation doesn’t work right and you get error 0x8007232b, you can use this tool to register the key:
open Command Prompt as an administrator; set the command “SLUI 3” (type the command and hit “Enter” to finish);
When the familiar form comes up, enter the key and click “Next.” After a while, information about how the system activation try went will show up.
Using slmgr.vbs
It is a Windows tool for managing software licenses called SLMGR. If none of the other ways worked, you can use the script to turn on the system. To do this, we accomplish the following:
Open the Command Prompt as an administrator; type “slmgr.vbs + activation key” and press the “Enter” key. A new line for entering commands will appear in the terminal to prove that the OS licensing task was successful. The device will then restart itself.
Checking your computer for viruses
Malicious software can mess up a lot of system processes, including the license tools. This is why you might get an error message 0x8007232b when you try to activate Windows 10. You can use the antivirus software on your computer as well as third-party tools like Dr.Web CureIt!, AdwCleaner, AVZ, Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, and others to look for risks in the operating system.
Checking the integrity of system files
You can fix many problems that lead to failures, such as crash code 0x8007232b, with the built-in Windows tools. If the problem is caused by missing or broken system parts, the standard SFC tool will let you check and fix the issues it finds. The tool can be used from the Command Prompt that has been opened with administrative rights:
Use the “Start” or “Search” menu to start the console as an administrator. Type “sfc / scannow” into the console, press “Enter,” and wait for the process to finish. When broken parts are found, the system will automatically fix them, and the information will show up on the screen. Restart the device and see if the error is gone.
In case the utility found broken things that couldn’t be fixed, you can also use the DISM tool:
turn on the Command Prompt as an administrator;
(you must press the enter key after each request; it will take a while to finish the requests);
When you’re done with the changes, close the console and restart the device.
Verifying the installation of a KMS host
If you are an administrator and the client can’t find the KMS host and can’t enable, you should make sure it is there. Also, DNS broadcast should be turned on by default.
We check the computer’s KMS host to make sure it works (we use the KMS key that is registered in DNS):
Open the Command Prompt as an administrator, and if asked, enter a password to complete the action;
When you open the file you just made, you’ll see where the SRV service is located.
All KMS servers leave DNS SRV records every day. Check the server’s registration in the registry to make sure it’s working.
After that, we do these things:
Open the “Run” box (Win + R) and type “regedit” to get to the system register;
Follow the path look, and check the number for DisableDnsPublishing. If it’s “1,” the KMS server is not listed in DNS.
We make an option (DWORD with the name DisableDnsPublishing) if there isn’t one. Right-click and choose “Change.” This will change the number to “0.”
PAY ATTENTION. Changes to the registry should only be made by people who know what they’re doing. If a person isn’t careful, bad things can happen, like the system crashing. Before you do the job, we suggest that you make a backup copy.
Installing a multiple activation key
A Multiple Activation Key (MAK) can be used instead of KMS activation if you need to turn on the machine when KMS keys don’t work. The “slmgr -ipk activation key” tool and the “Command Prompt” opened as an administrator are used to make changes. One problem with this method is that MAC keys can only be used to activate a certain number of devices. This means that if you reset the parameters or reinstall Windows, you won’t get back the count of the active devices.
Alternative ways
Error code 0x8007232b is a common activation error that occurs when Windows is unable to locate the Key Management Service (KMS) host. This error is often accompanied by the message “DNS name does not exist.”
To resolve this activation error, you can try the following steps:
1. Check the product key: Ensure that you are using a valid product key to activate Windows. You can find the product key on the sticker that came with your computer or in the confirmation email if you purchased a digital copy.
2. Use the command prompt: Open an elevated Command Prompt and run the following command: slmgr.vbs -ipk <product key>. This will install the product key on your system.
3. Use a Multiple Activation Key (MAK): If you have a Volume License agreement, you can use a MAK instead of a KMS key to activate Windows. Run the command slmgr.vbs -ipk <MAK key> in the Command Prompt.
4. Check the KMS server: Ensure that your computer can connect to the KMS server. You can check the KMS server settings by running the command slmgr.vbs /dlv.
5. Check volume activation: If you are using a Volume License version of Windows, make sure that your computer is set up for volume activation. You can do this by running the command slmgr.vbs /dlv.
6. Check the KMS client settings: Verify that your computer is configured as a KMS client by running the command slmgr.vbs /dlv.
If you continue to experience activation errors, check for any error messages that may provide more information about the issue. It’s also recommended to contact Microsoft support or your IT administrator for further assistance with volume activation and Key Management Service issues.
If you are encountering the 0x8007232b activation error related to DNS, it could be due to issues with your DNS server configuration. Ensure that your DNS server is functioning correctly and that the necessary resource records for KMS activation are properly set up.
To resolve the error, you can try installing a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) instead of relying on the KMS activation method. This can be done using the command prompt as mentioned earlier.
For volume licensed versions of Windows operating systems, license activation through a KMS server is a common practice. Make sure that your activation server is accessible and that the product key retrieved from the KMS is valid and properly configured on your system.
If you are still facing activation errors, consider running the network troubleshooter to diagnose any connectivity issues that may be preventing your system from reaching the KMS server.
Additionally, ensure that the “DNS name does not exist” error is not related to an autorenewal issue with your KMS activation packs. Contact your system administrator or Microsoft support for assistance in resolving any software protection or activation-related challenges you may encounter with your volume licensed Windows operating system.
When encountering activation errors like the 0x8007232b DNS error, it is crucial to address them promptly to activate your Windows operating system successfully. One common method to resolve such issues is by using an elevated command prompt to input the appropriate license key or setup key provided for your edition of Windows.
If you are using a Key Management Service (KMS) key for activation, ensure that the KMS client can find the KMS server by checking the DNS records. Verify that the SRV resource records for the KMS server are correctly configured to point the KMS client to the right location.
In cases where error messages related to software protection services or software licensing persist, consider troubleshooting steps such as running Windows Update to ensure that your system is up to date with the latest patches and fixes. This can help resolve compatibility issues with Microsoft Office or other software applications like Microsoft Edge.
If you continue to face the error code 0x8007232b DNS while attempting to activate your Windows edition, reach out to your system administrator or Microsoft support for further assistance in diagnosing and resolving the activation issue. It is essential to address activation errors promptly to ensure that your Windows operating system remains properly licensed and functional.