Fix Repeated Office 2016 for Mac License Prompts After Update
Question details
The user experiences continuous license and activation prompts in Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac after updating the software version from 16.73 to 16.78.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to use Microsoft Office applications normally after an automatic or manual software update has been applied.
- Observed behavior
- The software repeatedly prompts the user to activate or provide a license, despite having been previously activated and fully functional.
Before proceeding, verify the exact version of Office for Mac you are currently running and ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2016 license.
Reinstall a Compatible Older Office Package
Reverting to an older, compatible version (such as 16.73 or 16.16.27) can restore your Office 2016 activation without needing to use a license removal tool.
Since Office 2016 for Mac is no longer officially supported, newer updates like version 16.78 are designed for newer licenses (Microsoft 365 or Office 2021). This causes a compatibility mismatch with the 2016 license. Reverting to the older build restores the connection.
Open your Applications folder, locate your Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and drag them to the Trash. Do not run the official license removal tool during this process.
Navigate to the official Microsoft Office for Mac update history page and download an older installer package, such as version 16.73 or 16.16.27.
Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to reinstall the older version of Office onto your Mac.
Launch any installed Office application. When prompted, sign in using the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2016 license to restore your activation.
Open Microsoft AutoUpdate from the Help menu in any Office app and uncheck the automatic updates option to prevent the software from automatically upgrading to an incompatible version again.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience on Mac
Tired of dealing with unsupported software, activation errors, and forced updates? WPS Office is a lightweight, fully compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office that works seamlessly on macOS without activation loops.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer package for macOS.
- 2. Install the App: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office files. They will display perfectly without any format conversion required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Office 2016 for Mac keep asking for a license after an update?
Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac has reached its end of support. Newer updates (like version 16.78) are optimized for Microsoft 365 or Office 2019/2021 licenses, which causes compatibility and activation issues when it detects an older 2016 license.
Do I need to use the license removal tool before reinstalling?
In this specific downgrade scenario, it is recommended to bypass the license removal tool. Simply drag the current apps to the Trash, reinstall the older compatible package, and sign in to your Microsoft account to restore activation.
Is it safe to keep using version 16.16.27 of Office for Mac?
While version 16.16.27 is stable and will successfully accept your Office 2016 license, it no longer receives security patches from Microsoft. It is fine for offline document editing, but upgrading to a supported alternative like WPS Office is highly recommended for security.
