Why does Xbox say "This code wasn't found"?

This error has four main causes: a typo in the code, the code being for a different platform (like Steam or Epic Games), the code being used by someone else before you received it, or an expired promotional code. The most common cause is a typo. Xbox codes never contain the characters A, E, I, O, U, L, S, 0, 1, or 5. If you see any of these, you are misreading another character. Try copy-pasting the code directly from your email at redeem.microsoft.com. If it still doesn't work, contact your seller with proof of purchase.