Activation Problems

How to Fix Excel Cached Credentials Expired and Product Deactivated Error

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an activation error where Excel reports that cached credentials have expired and the product is deactivated, despite having an active Microsoft 365 subscription.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to use Microsoft Excel with an active Microsoft 365 subscription.
Observed behavior: Excel displays a 'Product Deactivated' message and claims cached credentials have expired. Standard troubleshooting like clearing credentials and reinstalling Office does not resolve the issue.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft 365 account login details available. Because advanced troubleshooting requires modifying the Windows Registry, you must create a system restore point or back up your registry before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Advanced Identity Caches and Modify Office Registry Keys

Manually remove lingering authentication data and registry keys that standard uninstalls leave behind.

When a standard reinstallation fails to fix activation issues, it is usually because corrupted authentication tokens are still stored on your device. Clearing the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders, along with the Office Identity registry key, forces Excel to completely rebuild your login profile.

Clear OneAuth and IdentityCache

Open File Explorer and navigate to your local AppData folder (usually located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft). Locate the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders. Back up their contents to a safe location, then delete the files inside them.

Remove Office Identity Registry Key

Press Win + R on your keyboard, type 'regedit', and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to the path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity. Right-click the 'Identity' folder, select 'Export' to create a backup, and then delete the key.

Restart and Sign In

Restart your computer to apply the changes. Launch Microsoft Excel and sign in again using your active Microsoft 365 account credentials.

Registry Warning: Modifying the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause system instability. Always ensure you have exported a backup of the registry key before deleting it.

Solution 2

Contact Microsoft Support for Guided Rollback or Repair

If clearing the caches and registry fails, a specialized repair or rollback of the Office version may be required.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Subscription and Activation Errors

Tired of dealing with expired credentials and complex activation issues? WPS Office offers a seamless, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. It is free to use and does not require constant credential verification to edit your local files.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it in minutes without complicated setups.
2. Open Existing Spreadsheets: Right-click your existing Excel files and select 'Open with WPS Office' to continue working instantly without sign-in blockers.
3. Save and Share: Save your work in standard .xlsx format, ensuring perfect compatibility with colleagues who still use Microsoft Office.

No complex subscription activation loops or credential expiration lockouts.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats, including .xlsx, .xls, and .csv.Lightweight installation that opens large spreadsheets instantly.Familiar user interface that makes switching from MS Office effortless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel say my cached credentials expired?

This error occurs when the authentication tokens stored locally by Microsoft Office become corrupted or fall out of sync with your actual Microsoft 365 subscription status on the server.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the deactivated product error?

Often, a standard reinstallation does not resolve this issue because it leaves behind corrupted registry keys and identity cache files. You must manually clear the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders to force a new login state.

Where is the Office Identity registry key located?

The key is typically found in the Windows Registry Editor at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity. Deleting this folder (after backing it up) forces Office to rebuild your local login credentials.

Can I use Excel offline if my credentials expire?

If Microsoft 365 cannot verify your subscription due to cached credential errors, it may eventually lock you out of editing features, placing Excel into a deactivated or 'read-only' mode until you successfully sign in and authenticate.

Installation & Activation