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How to Fix Office Activate Now Button Not Working on Mac
Question details
The user transferred Microsoft Office to a new Mac, but the application repeatedly prompts for activation, and clicking the Activate Now button fails to complete the process.
- Product
- Microsoft Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Transferring Office software to a new Mac and attempting to activate the transferred installation.
- Observed behavior
- The Activate Now button does not respond or fails to complete the activation process despite repeated prompts from the software.
Ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your Office purchase, and close all running Office applications on your Mac before proceeding.
Clear Old Licenses Using the Office License Removal Tool
Use the official License Removal Tool to clear conflicting activation files that were transferred from the old Mac.
When transferring Office to a new Mac using Migration Assistant, older license files are often brought over. These hidden files conflict with the new hardware signature, causing the Activate Now button to loop or become unresponsive. Clearing these files forces a fresh activation prompt.
Go to account.microsoft.com/services and sign in to confirm that your Microsoft 365 or Office license is actively associated with your account.
Download Microsoft's official Office License Removal Tool for Mac from the Microsoft Support website.
Open the downloaded tool, follow the on-screen instructions to remove the previous license files, and then restart your Mac.
Open Word or Excel and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your license to complete the fresh activation.
Reinstall Microsoft Office for Mac
If clearing the license does not work, a clean installation from your Microsoft account can resolve corrupted application files.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Mac Experience
Tired of dealing with Microsoft Office activation loops and license conflicts on your Mac? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that requires no complicated license transfers or removal tools.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version for free.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded installer package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without any format loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac keep asking me to activate Office?
This typically happens when license files from an older Mac are copied over via Migration Assistant. The old license files conflict with the new Mac's hardware signature, causing an activation loop.
Will the License Removal Tool delete my Office documents?
No, the tool only removes the hidden system files used for software activation. Your personal documents, emails, and custom templates will remain completely safe on your Mac.
Can I manually delete Keychain passwords instead of using the tool?
It is highly recommended not to manually delete Keychain items unless you are following official support instructions from Apple or Microsoft. Doing so incorrectly might accidentally remove saved passwords for other unrelated apps or services.
What should I do if my Microsoft account doesn't show a valid license?
Double-check that you are signed into the exact Microsoft account you used to originally purchase the software. If you used a separate work or school account, you must sign in with those specific credentials.
