Microsoft 365 Error Codes

Fix Microsoft 365 Sign-In Error 2602 on a MacBook

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to sign into Microsoft 365 on their MacBook due to a network timeout error code 2602.

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Sign-In Error 2602 on a MacBook

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: macOS (MacBook Air M2)
Scenario: Attempting to activate and sign in to Microsoft 365 applications on a new MacBook Air.
Observed behavior: The sign-in process fails with the error message: “The network request timed out. Please try again. [2602]”, even when switching between different Wi-Fi networks and a mobile hotspot.

Before you start

Ensure you know the email address and password associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription, and temporarily disable any VPNs or custom firewall applications on your Mac.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Office License Files

Clearing out old or corrupted license files is the most effective way to force Microsoft 365 to establish a fresh connection to the activation servers.

Often, network timeout errors during sign-in are caused by hidden, corrupted license files on your macOS system that fail to validate your credentials.

Download the removal tool

Visit the official Microsoft Support website and download the 'License Removal Tool' for Mac.

Run the tool

Open the downloaded .pkg file from your Mac's Downloads folder and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation and run the script.

Restart your Mac

Once the tool finishes removing the license files, click on the Apple menu and select 'Restart' to reboot your MacBook.

Sign in again

Open any Microsoft 365 application, such as Word, and attempt to sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.

Data Safety: Running the license removal tool only affects activation files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations will not be deleted.

Solution 2

Test with a Wired Network Connection

Use a direct ethernet connection to bypass potential Wi-Fi routing issues or wireless network restrictions blocking the sign-in servers.

Solution 3

Verify Installation Source and Update

Ensure your Microsoft 365 applications are fully updated and identify whether they were installed via the App Store or the direct download, which can affect connectivity.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Experience

If Microsoft 365 continuous network timeouts and sign-in errors are interrupting your workflow, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and offline-friendly alternative. It runs smoothly on Apple Silicon without complex subscription server checks.

1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installation package designed for macOS.
2. Install the suite: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Start editing: Open WPS Office from Launchpad and instantly open your existing Microsoft documents to continue working without network errors.

Completely free to use with no mandatory subscription sign-ins blocking your access.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Lightweight architecture perfectly optimized for MacBook Air M1 and M2 chips.Familiar user interface making it easy to migrate from Microsoft 365 immediately.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Error 2602 mean in Microsoft 365?

Error 2602 is a network timeout code indicating that the Microsoft 365 application cannot communicate with Microsoft's activation servers to verify your account or license.

Will removing the Office license files delete my saved documents?

No. The Microsoft License Removal Tool only deletes the background files used to authenticate your subscription. Your personal Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files remain completely safe on your Mac.

Why does the error persist across different Wi-Fi networks?

If the error occurs on multiple networks (like home Wi-Fi and a mobile hotspot), the issue is usually localized to your Mac's system settings, corrupted license files, or a background app (like a VPN) blocking Microsoft's authentication traffic.

Microsoft Office Error Codes