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Fix "Your School Account Is No Longer Active" in Office 365
Question details
A student is unable to use Office desktop applications due to an AADSTS50020 error stating their school account is inactive, even though the web subscription is working.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Signing into locally installed Microsoft Office desktop applications using a school or university account.
- Observed behavior
- The user encounters the AADSTS50020 error code and a "Your School Account Is No Longer Active" prompt, which blocks access to desktop apps despite the account appearing active online.
Ensure you have an active internet connection and your school login credentials ready so you can verify your exact Microsoft 365 license type online.
Verify Your Office 365 Education License Type
Check your Microsoft account portal to confirm if your specific school plan includes desktop applications, as many default student plans do not.
The Office 365 A1 plan for students provides free access to online web applications but generally does not include licenses for local desktop apps (like the downloaded versions of Word or Excel). You must verify your license to see if you have the rights to use desktop software.
Open a web browser and navigate to portal.office.com/account/. Sign in using your school email and password.
On your account dashboard, look at the left-hand menu and click on the "Subscriptions" tab.
Look through the list of your active licenses. You must find a specific license named "The latest desktop version of Office". If this is missing, you can only use the web versions of Office applications.
Repair Office Desktop Applications
If you confirmed that you do have the desktop license but still receive the inactive account error, repairing the software can fix login and synchronization glitches.
Contact Your School's IT Support
Reach out to your institution's IT department to have them check your account status in their Azure Active Directory.
Get Free Desktop Office Apps with WPS Office
If your school's Office 365 A1 plan doesn't include desktop apps and you prefer not to use web versions, WPS Office provides a fully featured, lightweight, and completely free desktop alternative that is highly compatible with Microsoft formats.
- 1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free desktop application for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick setup instructions.
- 3. Open Your School Assignments: Double-click your existing school files to open and edit them directly on your desktop without needing a Microsoft subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the AADSTS50020 error mean in Office 365?
This error typically means your user account from the identity provider does not exist in the organization's tenant directory, or your specific account lacks the assigned permissions or licenses to access the requested desktop application.
Can I use Office desktop apps with an Office 365 A1 student account?
Generally, no. The standard Office 365 A1 subscription is designed to only include web-based versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Local desktop applications usually require an A3 or A5 educational license.
How do I use Office web applications for my schoolwork?
Simply log in to office.com using your school email and password. From the main dashboard, click on any app icon (such as Word or Excel) to create, edit, and save documents directly in your web browser.
