The error code -2146697202 you are encountering while trying to activate Office 2024 on Windows Server 2016 may indicate an issue with the activation process. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Check System Requirements: Ensure that your Windows Server 2016 meets the system requirements for Office 2024.
2. Firewall Settings: Make sure that the firewall settings on your server allow for the activation process. Specifically, ensure that TCP port 1688 is open for the Key Management Service (KMS).
3. DNS Configuration: Verify that your DNS settings are correctly configured and that the KMS host is reachable. You may need to check the DNS SRV records to ensure they point to a valid KMS host.
4. Run Activation Scripts: Use the ospp.vbs script to manually attempt activation. You can run the command cscript ospp.vbs /act from an elevated command prompt in the Office installation directory.
5. Check for Updates: Ensure that your Office installation is up to date. Sometimes, updates can resolve activation issues.
6. Contact Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to Microsoft support with the correlation ID and error tag provided in your error message for more specific assistance.

These steps should help you troubleshoot the activation issue you're facing with Office 2024 on your Windows Server 2016 VM.

Dear lic1 pcms2,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A. 

Thank you for sharing the details of the activation issue with Office 2024 on Windows Server 2016. 

The error code does not provide a clear description, and information about this specific scenario is limited. Here are some actions you can try: 

1. Check your network connectivity 

• Ensure the server can reach Microsoft activation services. 
• If you use a proxy or firewall, confirm that outbound traffic on TCP port 1688 is allowed for KMS activation. 

1. Update your system and Office build 

Make sure Windows Server 2016 has the latest updates, and Office is on a supported build. 
If possible, upgrade to Windows Server 2022 or later, as these versions are officially compatible with Office 2024. 

If the issue persists, please contact your Microsoft 365 admin to verify activation policies and KMS configuration in your environment. 

If this problem affects multiple users or servers, I strongly recommend raising a support ticket through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center so the backend team can investigate further. 
For reference:  Get support | Microsoft Docs      

I hope this information helps point you in the right direction. If you run into any issues while trying the steps, or if something still doesn’t feel quite right, please don’t hesitate to reach out again. I’ll do my best to support you however I can.  

Looking forward to hearing back from you with any updates or additional details. 

Warm regards, 

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