Activation Problems

Fix Office 2013 Activation Limit Reached After Hardware Change

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to activate MS Office 2013 after a hardware change (CPU replacement) and reinstallation, receiving an error that the maximum number of activations has been reached.

Product: Microsoft Office 2013
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reinstalling Office 2013 on a computer after upgrading the CPU, while the software remains installed on the previous system configuration.
Observed behavior: An error message displays stating that the product has been activated the maximum number of times, preventing successful activation.

Before you start

Ensure you have your original Office 2013 product key available and access to the Microsoft account linked to your purchase. If possible, turn on the original device configuration to verify the previous installation status before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall or Deactivate Office 2013 on the Previous Device

Office licenses have concurrent device limits. Removing the software from the old computer or previous hardware setup frees up a license for the new configuration.

Boot the old configuration

Turn on the computer containing the previous Office 2013 installation if it is still accessible.

Open Control Panel

Go to the Windows Start menu, search for 'Control Panel', and select 'Programs and Features'.

Uninstall Office

Find Microsoft Office 2013 in the list of installed programs, right-click it, and select 'Uninstall'. Follow the prompts to remove the software completely.

Retry activation

On the new computer (or updated CPU setup), open any Office application like Word or Excel and attempt to activate the software again over the internet.

Solution 2

Use Microsoft Telephone Activation Support

If internet activation fails after a hardware change because the server recognizes it as a new PC, the automated telephone system can help you verify the license and bypass the limit.

Solution 3

Check Office Edition and Volume Licensing Limits

If you are using Office Professional Plus 2013 or a volume-licensed product, you may have permanently exhausted your organization's specific activation limit.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Licensing and Activation Limits

Tired of dealing with strict activation limits, hardware change penalties, and complex licensing tied to Microsoft Office 2013? WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy seamless document creation without worrying about activation failures when you upgrade your PC hardware.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. The lightweight setup takes only a few minutes to complete.
3. Open Existing Files: Launch WPS Office. You can instantly open, edit, and save your existing Office 2013 documents without any formatting loss or activation barriers.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Free to use with a single account seamlessly syncing across multiple devices (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS).No activation limit penalties or frustrating lockouts when upgrading your CPU or changing hardware.Familiar, intuitive user interface for a zero-learning-curve migration from Office 2013.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a CPU replacement trigger an Office 2013 activation error?

Microsoft Office 2013 creates a unique hardware hash based on your computer's major components (like the CPU and motherboard) during its initial activation. When you replace a critical component, Office perceives it as a completely new computer, triggering the maximum limit if your license does not allow concurrent active devices.

Can I deactivate Office 2013 from my Microsoft account online?

Unlike newer Office 365 subscriptions, Office 2013 retail versions do not typically offer a simple online 'Deactivate' button in the Microsoft account portal. You generally must uninstall it from the old device to free up the license and use phone activation if standard internet activation fails.

What should I do if my old computer is broken and I cannot uninstall Office 2013?

If the old device is entirely inaccessible (e.g., due to a dead motherboard or severe drive failure), you cannot manually uninstall the software. Instead, you must use the telephone activation option in the Office Activation Wizard and speak to a Microsoft support representative to explain the hardware failure and request a manual override.

Installation & Activation