Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Microsoft Office or Outlook Sign-In Stuck on Loading Screen

Huda Qurayshi Oct 12, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user is unable to complete the sign-in process for Microsoft Office or Outlook due to an endless blue loading screen, despite entering the correct credentials.

How to Fix Microsoft Office or Outlook Sign-In Stuck on Loading Screen

Product: Microsoft Office and Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to activate or use Microsoft Office desktop applications.
Observed behavior: The application accepts the credentials but gets stuck on a continuous blue loading screen. The issue persists even after reinstalling the software.

Before you start

Verify that your account credentials are correct and active by successfully signing into the Microsoft 365 or Office website via a web browser before troubleshooting the desktop applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Cached Office Credentials in Windows

Remove corrupted or outdated login tokens from the operating system to force Office to prompt for a fresh sign-in.

When Microsoft Office or Outlook gets stuck on a loading screen, it is often caused by a conflict with previously saved account tokens. Clearing these cached credentials allows the application to establish a new connection to the authentication server.

Close Office Applications

Ensure all Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams, are completely closed.

Open Credential Manager

Click the Windows Start menu, type 'Credential Manager' into the search bar, and press Enter to open the utility.

Access Windows Credentials

Click on 'Windows Credentials' to view the list of saved network and application passwords.

Remove Office Credentials

Scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section. Locate any entries starting with 'MicrosoftOffice' or 'msteams', expand each relevant entry, and click 'Remove'. Confirm the deletion.

Restart and Sign In

Restart your computer, launch Outlook or another Office application, and attempt to sign in again when prompted.

Clear Cached Office Credentials in Windows

Web Login Check: If you are unsure whether your account is active, test your login on the official Microsoft website first. If it fails there, you may need to reset your password or check your subscription status.

Solution 2

Run the Microsoft Office Online Repair Tool

Fix underlying corruption in the Office application files that might be causing the login screen to freeze.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office: A Free and Seamless Alternative

If Microsoft Office continues to experience sign-in issues, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free alternative that doesn't force you into complex subscription logins just to view or edit your documents.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup in minutes.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and immediately open your existing Microsoft Office documents with perfect formatting retention.

Free to use with no mandatory subscription login loopsFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxLightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use interfaceAll-in-one suite with integrated PDF editing and seamless cloud synchronization

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Outlook get stuck on the blue loading screen when signing in?

This usually happens due to corrupted cached credentials in Windows, outdated authentication tokens, or a glitch in the local Office installation that prevents it from establishing a secure connection to Microsoft's servers.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the sign-in loop?

Not always. Reinstalling Microsoft Office often leaves cached user data, credential tokens, and registry entries intact. Clearing your saved credentials from the Windows Credential Manager is typically more effective.

What should I do if clearing credentials results in an 'incorrect password' error?

First, verify your password by logging into the Microsoft 365 web portal via a browser. If the password works online but fails in the desktop app, ensure your computer's system clock and time zone are accurate, as time discrepancies can cause authentication failures.

Can I use Microsoft Office desktop apps without signing in?

Most modern versions of Microsoft 365 require a successful sign-in to verify your active subscription license. If you cannot sign in, the applications will eventually enter reduced functionality mode, which prevents you from editing or creating new documents.

Login & Account Issues