FIX: Windows 10 activation error 0x87e10bc6

by Tashreef Shareef
Tashreef Shareef
Tashreef Shareef
Windows & Software Expert
Tashreef Shareef is a software developer turned tech writer. He discovered his interest in technology after reading a tech magazine accidentally. Now he writes about everything tech from... read more
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After purchasing your Windows 10 license, you need to validate your product key to register your OS. The validation process goes through the Activation Server of Microsoft. If Windows has trouble connecting to the server, activation will fail and show the error code: 0x87e10bc6.

The full error message reads “Something prevented us from communicating with our activation servers. Wait a few minutes and then try again. Error code: 0x87e10bc6”.  If you are facing difficulty activating Windows 10 license, here is how to troubleshooter the error.

Steps to fix error 0x87e10bc6

  1. Temporary Error
  2. Update Windows 10
  3. Run Activation Troubleshooter
  4. Check your Firewall
  5. Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
  6. Roll Back Windows Update with Restore Point

1. Temporary Error

Wait-temporary-issue

At times, it may not be the issue with your system but on Microsoft’s end. If the activation servers are down for maintenance, the activation may fail.

First, restart your PC and try to activate the license. If it does not work, wait for a few minutes and try again.

2. Update Windows 10

Users have reported that installing pending updates for the Windows OS has fixed the issue and allowed for successful activation. Check for any pending updates for Windows and install it.

  1. Click on Start and select Settings.
  2. Click on Update and Security.
    Windows 10 Pending Updates
  3. Under Windows Update, click on Check for Updates.
  4. Let Windows download and install any pending updates.
  5. Reboot the system and try to activate the license again.

3. Run Activation Troubleshooter

If you are unable to activate Windows 10, the Activation troubleshooter can help. Windows comes with a built-in Troubleshooter that you can use to detect any activation related issues.

Note: To use the Activation troubleshooter you need to sign in as the Administrator.

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Click on Update and Security.
  3. From the left pane, click on Activation.
    Troubleshoot Windows Activation
  4. Select Troubleshoot and follow the on-screen instructions.
  5. When the troubleshooter is complete, select Go to Microsoft Store. It will launch Microsoft Store App, and you should see a Thank you message for activating Windows 10.

4. Check your Firewall

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If you have a third-party Firewall installed, it is possible that the Firewall is blocking the connection to the server. You can try disabling the Firewall temporarily just to activate the Windows 10.

To do this launch your Antivirus solutions and disable Firewall.

You may also want to turn off Windows Defender Firewall protection to be on the safer side. Here is how to do it.

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Click on Update and Security.
  3. From the left pane, click on the Windows Security tab.
  4. From the right pane, click on Firewall and Network protection.Windows security - Firewall and network protection
  5. Select your Active Network (that is Private Network in the below image).Windows Firewall and Network Protection Active
  6. Turn off Windows Defender Firewall using the toggle switch.
    Windows Defender Firewall Off
  7. Also, make sure under Incoming Connection, the “Blocks all incoming connections, including those in the list of allowed apps” box is unchecked. Close the Setting window.

Try to validate the license key again and check for any improvements.

5. Run Hardware and Device Troubleshooter

The 0x87e10bc6 can also affect your system hardware like DVD driver. If you are facing issues with your DVD player, try to run the Hardware and device Troubleshooter to fix it.

  1. Click the Start button and select Setting.
  2. Click on Update and Security.
  3. Select “Troubleshoot” from the left pane.
  4. Scroll down and click on Video Playback.
    Run the Troubleshooter Playback - Video
  5. Click on Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.
  6. If a Windows Store app is causing the error, click on the Windows Store App under Troubleshoot tab and select Run the troubleshooter option.

6. Roll Back Windows Update with Restore Point

If the error is caused after you received a Windows update, you can try to roll back the update using the System Restore Point for the time being. You can install the latest update after Microsoft releases a fix for this error.

  1. Type Restore in the Cortana/Search bar and select Create a Restore Point.
  2. In the System Properties window, click on System Restore button.
    System Restore - Choose a different REstore Point
  3. In the System Restore window, select “Choose a different restore point” option and click Next.
  4. Check “Show more restore points” box.
  5. Select the Restore Point created before the Windows update was installed. Click Next.
  6. Click on Finish.
  7. Wait for the Restore Point to roll back the update and restore your system to the state when it was working fine.

With that said, we can conclude it. Feel free to share your experience with the error in the comments section below.

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