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SL_REMAPPING_SP_PUB_KM_CACHE_TAMPER_RESTORE_FAILED
Why this is more specific than an activation failure
SL_REMAPPING_SP_PUB_KM_CACHE_TAMPER_RESTORE_FAILED (0xC004D502) is emitted by Software Protection integrity and kernel-cache enforcement. It marks a specific point inside the integrity path that authenticates protected modules, compares security-processor state with kernel-mode policy data, restores cached state and detects proxy or patch interference: the platform detected a damaged kernel-mode cache and its automatic restoration attempt also failed.
For triage, this belongs to the Software Protection integrity and kernel-cache enforcement. This is more severe than detection alone because the built-in recovery path could not establish trusted cache state. Product-key changes or network tests are useful only when the evidence points back to those layers.
What to capture before recovery
- digital signature and file hash
- OS build and servicing level
- kernel-cache policy generation and reboot state
- SFC/DISM results and Security-SPP event correlation
- exact module/file and version
Where it sits in the licensing pipeline
A module or cache integrity result should be investigated as a component-integrity problem before changing product keys or activation endpoints. To verify this, retain both the original tamper event and restore failure, source cache generation, I/O status and servicing health.
Servicing tools can repair protected system files, while unofficial replacements, patchers or permission resets can create a second mismatch and destroy provenance.
A practical way to isolate the cause
- Identify the caller and operation instance that produced
0xC004D502. - Collect the code-specific evidence: retain both the original tamper event and restore failure, source cache generation, I/O status and servicing health.
Safe recovery direction
Repair component-store and storage problems, then reboot so a clean cache can be generated.
Representative case: Cache corruption is detected, but the authoritative replacement cannot be read from a damaged component store.
Adjacent states in the same subsystem
| Result | Different condition |
|---|---|
SL_REMAPPING_SP_PUB_KM_CACHE_TAMPER | Compared with this result, kernel-mode licensing cache data fails its integrity check. |
SL_REMAPPING_SP_PUB_TAMPER_SECURITY_PROCESSOR_PATCHED | Compared with this result, the security-processor implementation appears patched or inconsistent with the signed platform image. |
SL_REMAPPING_SP_PUB_TAMPER_MODULE_AUTHENTICATION | Compared with this result, a protected module failed authentication against the expected signed system component. |
Actions that usually destroy useful evidence
- Do not use unofficial activation, patching or proxy tools to bypass the integrity check.
- Do not replace protected binaries from another computer or build.
Technical references
- System File Checker — supported state, API or recovery information relevant to this HRESULT.
- Repair-WindowsImage — reference for evidence collection and post-repair verification.
- Software Licensing provider — technical contract for the subsystem producing it.
- Windows SDK constants — official platform context used to interpret it.
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