Procedures for activation timing for a media access control (MAC)-control element (CE) are disclosed. A first network entity may receive a MAC-CE activation message transmission from a second network entity, and may transmit an acknowledgement (ACK) message to the second network entity in response to receiving the MAC-CE activation message. The first network entity may determine a time to activate the MAC-CE based on the transmitted ACK message, and/or based on a detected interruption associated with the MAC-CE activation message. In aspects, the MAC-CE activation message transmission mat be received in at least one code block group (CBG). Various aspects provide for different rules for identifying interruptions associated with the MAC-CE activation message, and for determining the time to activate the MAC-CE based on the interruptions.