Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Microsoft 365 Sign-In Refreshing Error for Education Accounts

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a sign-in loop where the Microsoft 365 application repeatedly refreshes and eventually displays an error message when logging in with a school or education account.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Logging into Microsoft 365 desktop or web applications using an educational institution account.
Observed behavior: The login screen repeatedly refreshes in a loop and ultimately fails, showing an error message instead of granting access to the application.

Before you start

Before proceeding, check if you can log in to other school portals to ensure your account password hasn't expired. Also, ensure you have a stable internet connection without restrictive school firewalls blocking the authentication servers.

Solution 1Recommended

Identify and Isolate the Authentication Issue

Gathering specific details about the error helps determine if the problem is a local application glitch, a browser issue, or a wider account licensing problem.

Sign-in loops often occur when there is a mismatch between your local session tokens and your school's authentication servers. By isolating where the error happens, you or your IT admin can apply the correct fix.

Identify the affected application

Determine if the sign-in loop is happening in a specific app like Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, or Outlook, or if it happens across all desktop applications.

Test the web browser login

Open a private or incognito browser window and try logging into Office.com. If the web login works, the issue is restricted to your local desktop apps.

Capture the exact error details

Allow the refresh loop to finish until the error message appears. Take a screenshot or write down any specific error codes provided on the screen.

Contact your IT administrator

Provide your school's IT support team with the screenshots and specify whether the issue happens only on the desktop app or also on the web browser.

Information Required by IT: School IT administrators need to know your exact account type, the affected device, and the specific application failing to distinguish between a local application error and a remote license suspension.

Solution 2

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

If the sign-in looping occurs within a web browser, clearing old cache and authentication cookies can force a fresh login session.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office as a Seamless and Free Alternative

If your Microsoft 365 school account is temporarily locked out or encountering sign-in errors, WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative. It does not require complex online authentication to view and edit your local documents, ensuring your schoolwork is never interrupted.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install and open: Run the installer. Once opened, you can immediately start using Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation tools.
3. Open existing files: Drag and drop your existing school documents into the WPS interface to resume your work instantly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).No mandatory cloud sign-in required for basic local document editing.Lightweight installation process with fast startup times.Familiar, easy-to-use interface ensuring a seamless transition for students.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Microsoft 365 sign-in keep refreshing?

This is typically caused by corrupted local authentication tokens, expired browser cookies, or a synchronization delay with your school's active directory servers. The app gets stuck in a loop trying to validate an expired or mismatched credential.

Does this sign-in error mean my school account is disabled?

Not necessarily. While it can sometimes indicate that a license has been removed or an account suspended, a continuous refresh loop is often a localized software or token glitch rather than a disabled account.

How can I access my assignments while fixing this login error?

You can try logging into the web version of Microsoft 365 via a private or incognito browser window, which bypasses local cache issues. Alternatively, if your files are saved locally on your computer, you can open and edit them using a free alternative like WPS Office.

Login & Account Issues