Product Key Issues

How to Fix Office 2016 Asking for Product Key After Reinstallation

Aamir Naveed Akram Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is being prompted to enter a product key to activate Office 2016 after reinstalling the software from a disc, but they no longer have the original key.

Office 2016 product key activation guide

Product: Microsoft Office 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reinstalling and attempting to activate Microsoft Office 2016 applications like Excel without the original physical product key.
Observed behavior: Excel and other Office applications block full usage by requesting a product key. Third-party product-key finder tools fail to locate the original key on the system.

Before you start

Make sure you know the email address and password for the Microsoft account you originally used to purchase or register your copy of Office 2016.

Solution 1Recommended

Activate Office 2016 Using Your Linked Microsoft Account

Use this method if you have previously linked your Office 2016 purchase to your Microsoft account, eliminating the need for a physical product key.

Starting with newer versions of Office, Microsoft stores digital licenses directly within your Microsoft account. If you redeemed your product key online in the past, you do not need the physical key to reinstall or reactivate the software.

Check Your Subscriptions

Open a web browser and navigate to the Microsoft account 'Services & subscriptions' page. Sign in with the Microsoft account you believe is associated with your Office 2016 purchase.

Verify the License

Look through the list of your active products and subscriptions. Verify that 'Office 2016' is listed under your purchased products.

Sign In to Office

If the license is listed, open any installed Office application (such as Excel or Word). When prompted to activate, choose the option to 'Sign in' instead of entering a product key, and use the same Microsoft account credentials.

Digital License Recognition: Once signed in, Microsoft will automatically fetch your digital license from the cloud and activate your Office 2016 suite.

Solution 2

Remove Conflicting Installations and Reinstall

If signing in does not work, remnants of older or conflicting Office installations might be preventing proper activation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If you have lost your Office 2016 product key and cannot recover your Microsoft account, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a powerful, free alternative that requires no complex activation procedures for its core features.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the software on your computer.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office. You can instantly open, edit, and save your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without entering any product key.

Completely free to use for basic document editing with no product key required.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation that uses fewer system resources and runs smoothly on most devices.Features a familiar, tabbed interface making the transition from Office 2016 seamless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my product key finder fail to locate my Office 2016 key?

Starting with Office 2013, Microsoft changed how product keys are stored locally on a computer. Only the last five characters of the 25-character product key are saved on your hard drive, which means third-party key finder tools can no longer extract the full product key.

Can I activate Office 2016 if I never linked it to a Microsoft account?

If you purchased a physical copy of Office 2016, never linked it to a Microsoft account, and have lost the physical card containing the key, you cannot activate it digitally. You will need to contact Microsoft Support with valid proof of purchase to request a replacement key.

Does reinstalling Office 2016 from a disc require a product key?

Yes, if you use a traditional installation disc, the setup wizard will usually prompt you for a product key. However, if your license is already tied to your Microsoft account, you can skip entering the key during installation and simply sign in to any Office application afterward to activate it.

Installation & Activation