Activation Problems

Fix Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 MAK Activation Limit Error

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to activate their Microsoft Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 license because the Multiple Activation Key (MAK) has reportedly reached its limit.

Product: Microsoft Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to activate a newly installed or reinstalled Office LTSC 2024 suite using a provided volume license key.
Observed behavior: The activation fails and displays an error message stating that the Multiple Activation Key has reached its activation limit, preventing the user from using Office features.

Before you start

Ensure you have your purchase receipt and details of the vendor or volume licensing administrator on hand before proceeding, as resolving MAK limit issues requires verifying the license source.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify License Source and Contact the Administrator

The most common reason for a MAK limit error is that the key was overused by a third-party seller, misrepresented, or legitimately exhausted by your organization.

Multiple Activation Keys (MAK) are designed for volume licensing environments and have a strict, predefined limit of allowable activations. If you purchased a single key from a third-party marketplace and received this error, it is highly likely the seller distributed the same key to multiple buyers.

Gather purchase documentation

Locate your invoice, order confirmation, and any communication from the vendor or IT department that issued the Office LTSC 2024 product key.

Contact the issuing party

Reach out directly to the seller or your organization's IT licensing administrator. If the key was purchased legitimately for corporate use, the administrator can contact Microsoft to request a MAK limit increase.

Check the Volume Licensing Service Center

If you are the official volume license owner, log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center or Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) to verify your MAK activation counts and manage your keys.

Avoid Unauthorized Resellers: To prevent activation issues, always purchase Microsoft software directly from Microsoft or authorized commercial licensing partners.

Solution 2

Deploy via the Supported Office LTSC Process

Office LTSC versions require specific deployment tools. Improper installation methods can trigger unexpected activation or licensing errors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'MAK has reached its activation limit' mean?

A Multiple Activation Key (MAK) allows a specific, predetermined number of device activations. This error indicates that the key has been used more times than permitted by the associated volume license agreement.

Can I reset the MAK activation limit myself?

No. Only the official volume licensing administrator or the original license owner can contact Microsoft Support to request an exception or an increase to the MAK activation limit.

Why did I get a MAK error if I only used the key on one laptop?

If you purchased the key from an unauthorized third-party seller, it is likely they sold the exact same volume license key to multiple customers. Once the total activations across all buyers reach the limit, the key stops working for everyone.

Are there different keys for Office LTSC 2024?

Yes, volume-licensed versions of Office LTSC typically use either a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) or a Key Management Service (KMS) key. KMS requires connecting to a local licensing server, while MAK connects directly to Microsoft's activation servers.

Installation & Activation