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How to Fix Microsoft Sign-In Error 0x80048823 Outside a Browser
Question details
The user is unable to sign in to Microsoft services via desktop applications, encountering error 0x80048823 despite browser sign-ins working correctly.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to authenticate into Microsoft services, Microsoft 365 apps, or OneDrive outside of a web browser.
- Observed behavior
- Windows 10 displays error 0x80048823 during desktop application sign-ins. The issue persists even after restarting the computer, resetting Microsoft 365, changing the password, and restarting OneDrive.
Make sure you have your correct Microsoft account credentials on hand and confirm that your Windows device is connected to a stable internet network before modifying account settings.
Clear Credentials and Reconnect Your Account
Because browser sign-in is successful, the issue is likely tied to corrupted local Windows credentials. Clearing these and reconnecting the account is the most effective fix.
Windows stores login tokens in the Credential Manager. When these tokens become corrupted or out of sync, desktop apps fail to authenticate even if your password is correct.
Open Windows Settings and navigate to 'Accounts'. Go to 'Email & accounts' or 'Access work or school', select the problematic Microsoft account, and click 'Disconnect'.
Click the Windows Start button, type 'Credential Manager', and press Enter. Click on 'Windows Credentials' and look for any entries mentioning 'MicrosoftOffice' or your Microsoft account. Expand them and click 'Remove'.
Restart your computer. Go back to Settings > Accounts and reconnect your Microsoft or work/school account, then attempt to sign in to your applications again.
Install Pending Windows and Microsoft 365 Updates
Outdated software can cause authentication components to malfunction, leading to sign-in bugs.
Test with a New Windows Profile
If the local user profile is deeply corrupted, creating a new Windows profile can bypass the underlying account integration issues.
Avoid Sign-In Hassles with WPS Office
If you're tired of troubleshooting complex Windows integration bugs and Microsoft account sign-in errors like 0x80048823, WPS Office is the perfect lightweight alternative. It allows you to create, edit, and manage your documents locally without being forced to deal with constant cloud authentication problems.
- 1. Download and install: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website and run the quick setup.
- 2. Open your files instantly: Double-click your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files to open them effortlessly.
- 3. Edit without barriers: Start working on your documents immediately—no complex account setup or cloud sign-in required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes error 0x80048823 when signing into Microsoft 365?
This error is typically triggered by corrupted cached Windows credentials, a damaged connection to a work or school account, or issues with local Windows authentication components communicating with Microsoft servers.
Why can I sign in through my web browser but not desktop apps?
Web browsers use their own independent session cookies and authentication tokens. In contrast, desktop applications rely on the Windows Credential Manager and system-level account integrations, which can become out of sync or corrupted.
Will resetting my Microsoft account password fix error 0x80048823?
Generally, no. Changing the password often does not resolve this issue if the local cached credentials on your Windows 10 machine are not cleared first. You must remove the outdated tokens from the Credential Manager to force the system to prompt for a fresh login.
