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How to Fix Microsoft 365 Activation Error 29 on Windows 11
Question details
The user needs to resolve an account error or 'Couldn't update license - Error 29' issue in Microsoft 365.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Windows 11
- Scenario
- Attempting to use or update Microsoft 365 apps on a computer where previous work accounts were previously signed in.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 displays a yellow warning icon and an account error message stating 'Couldn't update license - Error 29'.
Make sure you have completely closed all Microsoft Office applications (such as Word, Excel, and Outlook) running in the background and have your Microsoft account login credentials ready.
Clear Office Identity Cache and OneAuth Folders
Use this solution to remove stale authentication data that is causing conflicts with your Microsoft 365 license.
Error 29 often occurs when corrupted or outdated account credentials linger on your system, especially if you have used multiple work or personal accounts on the same computer. Deleting these cached identity files forces Office to generate fresh authentication tokens.
Ensure all Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) are fully closed. Check the system tray or Task Manager to verify no Office processes are running in the background.
Open File Explorer in Windows 11. Click on 'View' in the top menu bar, hover over 'Show', and select 'Hidden items' so you can see the AppData folder.
In the File Explorer address bar, type 'C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Local\Microsoft' (replace 'your_username' with your actual Windows username) and press Enter.
Locate the folder named 'IdentityCache' and delete it completely. Next, open the folder named 'OneAuth' and delete all the files inside it (do not delete the OneAuth folder itself).
Launch any Microsoft 365 application, such as Word. When prompted, enter your Microsoft account credentials to sign in and refresh your license.
Perform an Office Rollback or Contact Support
Use this method if clearing the cache folders does not resolve the activation error.
Try WPS Office - A Hassle-Free Alternative to Microsoft 365
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- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for Windows.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
- 3. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents without needing to convert them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Microsoft 365 Activation Error 29?
Error 29 typically occurs due to corrupted authentication cache data on your computer. It frequently happens if you have recently logged out of a work account or if multiple Microsoft accounts have been used on the same device, causing a conflict when verifying your software license.
How do I find the AppData folder in Windows 11 if it is missing?
The AppData folder is a system folder that is hidden by default in Windows. To reveal it, open File Explorer, click on the 'View' menu at the top, select 'Show', and then click on 'Hidden items'. You should now see the AppData folder inside your User directory.
Will fixing Error 29 delete any of my Word or Excel documents?
No. The troubleshooting process only involves deleting the 'IdentityCache' and contents of the 'OneAuth' folder. These files strictly contain temporary login credentials and authentication data. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations remain completely untouched and safe.
Do I need to reinstall Microsoft 365 to fix this account error?
In most cases, a full reinstallation is unnecessary. Clearing the IdentityCache and OneAuth folders usually resolves the error. However, if those steps fail, performing a quick online repair via the Windows Control Panel or using the Microsoft Office rollback procedure may be required.
