Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Microsoft Office 2019 Repeatedly Requesting Sign-In on Windows 10

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Office repeatedly prompts for Microsoft account credentials every time it is used, preventing normal offline use.

Product: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2019 / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows 10
Scenario: Trying to use Office applications normally after repairing the software through the Windows Control Panel.
Observed behavior: Office continually asks for sign-in credentials despite already being activated, unlike the same software version on a different desktop which functions without repeated logins.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft account email and password readily available, and save any open documents before closing all Office applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Office Identity Cache and Windows Credentials

Removing corrupted identity cache and saved Windows credentials forces Office to generate a fresh, stable login token upon your next sign-in.

Authentication loops usually occur when the local cache storing your login state becomes corrupted. Clearing these temporary files will not delete your documents.

Delete Local Identity Folders

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type '%localappdata%\Microsoft' and press Enter. Locate and delete the folders named 'OneAuth' and 'IdentityCache'.

Open Credential Manager

Open the Windows Start menu, type 'Credential Manager', press Enter, and click on 'Windows Credentials'.

Remove Office Credentials

Scroll down to 'Generic Credentials', locate any entries starting with 'MicrosoftOffice', click on them, and select 'Remove'.

Sign In Again

Restart your computer, open Microsoft Word or Excel, and sign in with your Microsoft account when prompted to establish a new connection.

Solution 2

Disconnect and Reconnect Your Account

Refreshing the account connection directly within the Office app can resolve minor authentication glitches.

Solution 3

Reinstall Office Using an Offline Installer

If a previous Control Panel repair corrupted the installation, completely reinstalling Office can fix persistent login bugs.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Account Sign-In Issues

If Microsoft Office continually interrupts your workflow with sign-in prompts, try WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that lets you edit your documents without mandatory repetitive logins.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the quick installation prompts.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and immediately start editing your existing Microsoft Office documents without login loops.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).No mandatory repetitive logins required to edit your local files securely.Familiar user interface for a seamless, zero-learning-curve transition.Lightweight software that installs quickly and runs smoothly on Windows 10.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Office Home and Student 2019 asking for a login every time?

This issue often occurs when cached identity tokens become corrupted. This is commonly triggered by a system update, a network change, or after running an Office repair tool via the Windows Control Panel.

What is the Windows Credential Manager?

It is a built-in Windows tool that securely stores passwords and login tokens for applications like Office. Clearing old Office entries here forces the software to request and save a brand-new, working token.

Will clearing the identity cache delete my files?

No. Clearing the %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneAuth and IdentityCache folders only removes temporary sign-in data. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and application settings remain completely intact.

Login & Account Issues