How to Fix Microsoft Office Error 1001 on an M1 Mac
Question details
Users are unable to sign in, sign out, or switch accounts in Microsoft Office applications due to a 'Something went wrong [1001]' error message.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- macOS (M1 Mac)
- Scenario
- Attempting to launch, sign in, or manage accounts within Microsoft Office apps like OneNote, Word, or Excel on an Apple Silicon device.
- Observed behavior
- The application presents an error code 1001, effectively blocking the user from authenticating their account and accessing the full features of the software.
Ensure you know your correct Microsoft account email and password, and save any offline work currently open in your Office apps before resetting your activation licenses.
Use the Official Microsoft License Removal Tool
This is the most effective method to clear out corrupted or conflicting activation tokens that trigger error 1001.
Microsoft provides a dedicated utility for macOS that completely cleans out old license files and token caches. This forces the Office suite to request a fresh authentication.
Visit the official Microsoft Support page and download the 'License removal tool' for Mac.
Open the downloaded .pkg file from your Mac's Downloads folder and follow the on-screen instructions to execute the license removal process.
Launch any Microsoft Office application (like Word or OneNote). You will be prompted to sign in again; use your correct Microsoft credentials to activate the suite.
Force Quit Apps and Install Updates
Use this solution if the license removal tool does not completely resolve the error, as stuck background processes or outdated software can also cause authentication failures.
Test Office Apps in a New macOS User Account
Creating a new user profile helps determine if the error is isolated to specific corrupted system files in your current macOS account.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience on Mac
If persistent Microsoft Office errors like code 1001 are disrupting your workflow on your M1 Mac, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and entirely free alternative without complex licensing hurdles.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version optimized for Apple Silicon.
- 2. Install the suite: Open the installer and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office files with full compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing the Office license files delete my documents?
No. The Microsoft license removal tool only deletes the hidden activation files and authentication tokens on your Mac. Your personal Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and OneNote notebooks remain completely safe.
Why does error 1001 happen specifically on Mac?
Error 1001 typically occurs when there is a mismatch or corruption in the cached token credentials stored in the Mac's Keychain, preventing the Microsoft Office applications from properly authenticating with Microsoft's servers.
Can I manually clear my Microsoft credentials on an M1 Mac?
Yes. You can open the 'Keychain Access' app from your Mac's Utilities folder, search for 'Microsoft' or 'Office', and delete the cached password and authentication entries to force a fresh sign-in prompt.
