Something Prevented Us From Communicating With Our Activation Servers (0x87e10bcf)

If you can't activate Windows due to 'Something is preventing us from communicating with our activation servers (0x87e10bcf)' error, here is how to fix.

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
2 min read
Add as a preferred
source on Google

If you’re facing trouble activating your Windows 10, this post may interest you. Usually, when activation fails, you’re recommended to run Activation Troubleshooter to resolve the issue. However, sometimes the troubleshooter may report this error:

Something prevented us from communicating with our activation servers. Wait a few minutes and then try again. (0x87e10bcf)

Something Is Preventing Us From Communicating With Our Activation Servers

If you’re also facing this problem and looking forward to a solution, refer the suggestions provided below:

FIX: Something Prevented Us From Communicating With Our Activation Servers (0x87e10bcf) In Windows

First, you must check the type of license you’ve. So if you’re using Windows 10 and have a valid retail or OEM license, you need not to worry as the Microsoft activation server may be down sometimes due to bulk volume of activations from worldwide. In such a case, we recommend you to wait and retry activation after a while.

Please note that if you somehow got volume license on personal/end user machine (not part of any organization), then that license is not valid for you and as the error dialog recommends, you should buy new genuine retail or OEM license.

If you’ve connected your Windows 10 to Azure AD or AD DS, then you might be having a valid volume license which is managed by your organization. So first of all, ensure that you can ping to your DNS server. In Command Prompt, type ping <DNS SERVER IP ADDRESS> and press Enter key. Following two results are possible then:

1. In case if there is no reply from the server side, you run Network Adapter troubleshooter to check if you’ve network issues. You might want to reset your network settings to ensure connectivity to activation server.

2. Seeking the another possibility, if there is reply from server side, there are no issues at your end. You must contact your IT administrator or your organization person handling your system. In case, if you’re the IT administrator, you can follow this official documentation to troubleshoot the issue for your client or self.

Hope this helps!

Share this article
https://www.kapilarya.com/something-prevented-us-from-communicating-with-our-activation-servers-0x87e10bcf

Shareable URL

Article by

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *