This study explores how production conditions affect the properties of activated carbons derived from licorice root residue, focusing on their textural and adsorptive characteristics. Key parameters, including carbonization temperature and KOH concentration during activation, were varied to assess their impact on pore structure, surface area, pore volume, and adsorption capacity. Results showed that both temperature and KOH concentration significantly influenced porosity and adsorption performance. Thermochemical activation produced carbon with a pore volume ten times greater than that from thermal activation alone. Chemical activation using KOH enhanced surface area and pore structure, with the AC5-800 sample exhibiting a surface area of 917.69 m²/g and micropore and mesopore volumes of 0.487 cm³/g and 0.5167 cm³/g, respectively. The optimal coal-to-KOH ratio for porosity was 1:5, balancing adsorption of large and small molecules. Ratios of 1:3 and 1:7 reduced pore volume, with overactivation damaging smaller pores at 1:7. AC5-800 exhibited the highest MB uptake, attributed to its specific surface area of 31.42 m²/g and pore volume of 0.0497 cm³/g. Adsorption data fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm (R² = 0.995), indicating that the adsorption mechanism followed monolayer coverage on a homogeneous surface These findings highlight licorice root residue as a sustainable, cost-effective raw material for activated carbon production, with potential applications in aquatic pollutants. The study underscores its promise as an effective adsorbent for environmental protection.