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Fix: This Product Key Cannot be Used in Your Country/Region
Rest assured that a good VPN service will do the trick
5 min. read
Updated onMarch 25, 2024
updated onMarch 25, 2024
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Key notes
If you purchased a license for a Microsoft 365 product and tried to activate it, you might see theThis product key cannot be used in your country/region. Please double-check your product key and try againerror.
This error prevents users from activating Office products even if they spend money to get them. However, you can quickly fix this problem by using a service that bypasses geo-blocks and makes it look like you’re trying to activate Microsoft 365 from another country where it’s allowed.
Why is Microsoft not accepting my product key?
If you see this notice, it indicates that the product key you are using was purchased in a different nation or area from the one where you are now situated.Product keys for Microsoft Office may only be redeemed in the country or area where they were originally purchased.
However, there are ways to bypass this notice. One is using a VPN service that will mask your actual region. Follow along to see what else you can do if Microsoft Office is not accepting your product key!
How do I get rid of theThis product key cannot be used in your country/regionmessage?
1. Use a VPN service
Using a VPN is the best way to get rid of theSorry this product key cannot be used in your country/regionmessage and activate your Microsoft 365 product successfully.
A VPN changes your IP address and geo-location to fool Microsoft into believing you’re trying to connect its products from a country where licensing is permitted. The trick is to choose the right country.
We recommendExpressVPNbecause we believe it’s the best VPN for circumventing firewalls and accessing blocked websites.
ExpressVPNcomes with a very user-friendly graphical user interface that can be used on a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac OS X, Android, Linux, and straight in your web browser.It provides superb connection speeds whether you are browsing the web safely, downloading or streaming content, or gaming with friends.
More about ExpressVPN:
ExpressVPN
2. Check your key’s source
You need to search for the product key with great attention to determine whether you are utilizing the appropriate kind of product key.For instance, if you acquired the activation key for a different package of Microsoft Office or an earlier or newer version of Microsoft Office, then it will not function for the various versions of Office that you have.
Moreover, you must always get the product key from an authentic, official, or approved source. If you purchased the key to activate Office 365 from anywhere other than the Microsoft Store, there is a reasonable risk that the vendor gave you an unauthorized duplicate of the product key.
3. Change your region from Settings
Note that although this method will indeed change your region or country, this simple setting might not convince Office 365 thus you might have to resort to a VPN after all.
4. Contact customer support
You are welcome to contact Microsoft’s customer support service if you believe the mistake is on their end and there is nothing wrong with the region in which you are located or the key you are using.
As stated on their website, you can reach them at this number if you are calling from within the United States: (800) 865-9408. If that is not the case, you should look attheir list of phone numbers for other countries.
Microsoft Office 365 country restrictions
As stated on their website, customers who acquire Microsoft 365 can assign a license to a user residing in any country except Cuba, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Sudan, and Syria.For more information about the country restrictions, check outMicrosoft’s dedicated page.
How to check if the Microsoft Office product key has been used?
Unfortunately, there is no method to check whether other users have previously utilized a product key; nevertheless, you will receive an error notice if you attempt to use it.Always acquire your items from a legitimate vendor to avoid situations in which you purchase already-used keys. You can also purchase authentic and reliable licenses from the Microsoft Store.In case thatMicrosoft Store won’t open in Windows 10/11, we have already prepared an in-depth guide on how to fix it. Make sure to check it out!
To summarize, you can use a trustworthy VPN to get rid of theThis product key cannot be used in your country/regionerror message by connecting to a VPN server in a country where the key activation is allowed.
You can also use a VPN tobypass This app is not available in your countrymessage as well.
Although it’s tempting to use a free VPN, it doesn’t usually work the way you expect. Instead, resort to a premium VPN service likePrivate Internet Access.Don’t hesitate to comment in the section below and tell us what you think. Thanks for reading!
More about the topics:Microsoft 365
Elena Constantinescu
Windows Software Expert
Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. With a firm grasp of software reviewing and content editing, she is always trying new things to improve her skill set.
Once in a blue moon, she steps aside from the desk to play with her bunny and to water her probably dead plants.
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Elena Constantinescu
Windows Software Expert
Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. She’s a software reviewer and content editor.