Activation Problems

How to Reactivate Office Professional Plus 2016 After a Motherboard Change

Guest Writer Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to reactivate Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016 after replacing the computer's motherboard.

How to Reactivate Office Professional Plus 2016 After a Motherboard Change

Product: Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Upgrading or replacing a computer motherboard while keeping the existing Windows operating system installation.
Observed behavior: Office fails to activate and displays an error because the software license is still tied to the previous motherboard's hardware signature.

Before you start

Ensure you have your 25-character Office Professional Plus 2016 product key or the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your license ready before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Contact Microsoft Support to Delink Old Hardware

Since Office licenses are often tied to the motherboard, you must request Microsoft to detach the license from the old hardware so you can activate it on the new one.

When you replace a major hardware component like a motherboard, Microsoft's activation servers treat it as a new computer. If you did not uninstall Office before the hardware swap, the license remains firmly linked to the old motherboard.

Visit Microsoft Support

Go to the official Microsoft Support website and sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your Office 2016 license.

Navigate to Activation Support

Navigate to the 'Contact Support' section, select 'Microsoft Office' as your product, and choose 'Activation' as the issue category.

Request to Chat or Callback

Choose the option to either chat with a live support agent or request a phone callback.

Explain the Hardware Change

Explain to the agent that you recently replaced your motherboard and need your Office Professional Plus 2016 license unlinked from the old hardware so you can reactivate it on the current setup.

Contact Microsoft Support to Delink Old Hardware

Proof of Purchase: The support agent may ask for your product key or proof of purchase to verify your ownership of the Office 2016 license before making changes to the activation server.

Solution 2

Use the Microsoft Office Telephone Activation Wizard

You can attempt to use the built-in Activation Wizard's telephone option to verify your hardware change automatically or get routed to an activation center.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Activation Hassles

Tired of dealing with strict hardware-bound licenses and complex activation processes after a PC upgrade? WPS Office is a lightweight, free alternative that offers excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats without stringent hardware limits.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free version of WPS Office.
2. Install and Log In: Run the installer, complete the quick setup, and log in with an email or social account.
3. Open Your Files: Double-click your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open and edit them directly in WPS Office.

Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate tabbed interface.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.No strict hardware binding—easily log in and use it seamlessly across different devices.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly even on older hardware setups.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did changing my motherboard deactivate Office 2016?

Microsoft Office licenses create a specific hardware signature based on your PC's primary components, mainly the motherboard. Replacing it makes the Microsoft activation server think you are installing the software on a completely new computer, triggering an activation error.

Can I reactivate Office 2016 without contacting Microsoft support?

Sometimes you can reactivate it using the telephone activation method in the Activation Wizard. However, if the server strictly recognizes the license as being actively in use on another machine (your old motherboard), you will likely need to speak with a Microsoft representative to release the license.

Do I need to reinstall Windows to fix this Office activation issue?

No, reinstalling Windows is not necessary. The issue is solely with the hardware association on Microsoft's remote activation servers, not your local Windows operating system installation.

Will I lose my Office 2016 license if my motherboard breaks?

No. As long as you have a valid retail license for Office Professional Plus 2016, you retain the rights to the software. You simply need to verify the hardware change with Microsoft to transfer the activation to the new motherboard.

Installation & Activation