Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Microsoft Office Password Pop-Up Won't Close in Word & Excel

Partner Editor Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to stop a continuous Microsoft 365 password prompt that keeps appearing for an incorrect email address and returns even after being closed.

How to Fix Office Password Pop-Up That Won't Close

Product: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Launching or using Word, Outlook, or Excel when the application is linked to a conflicting or incorrect Microsoft 365 account.
Observed behavior: A password pop-up repeatedly requests credentials for an incorrect email address and immediately returns after the user attempts to close it.

Before you start

Ensure you have the correct Microsoft account email address and password ready. Save any open documents, as resolving this account conflict will require closing and restarting your Office applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Sign Out and Remove the Conflicting Account

Clear the incorrect cached credentials by signing out of Office and completely removing the problematic account from your system settings.

Often, Windows or macOS will cache old or incorrect Microsoft credentials, causing Office applications to continuously prompt for a password. Removing the account at the system level forces Office to recognize the correct login.

Sign out of Office

Open Word or Excel, click on 'File', and select 'Account' (or 'Office Account'). Click 'Sign Out' under the user information section to disconnect the current profile.

Access system account settings

On Windows, open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. On macOS, go to System Settings > Internet Accounts.

Remove the incorrect account

Locate the incorrect email address causing the pop-up, click on it, and select 'Disconnect' or 'Remove Account'.

Sign back in with the correct account

Restart your computer, open an Office application, and sign in using your correct Microsoft 365 email and password.

Sign Out and Remove the Conflicting Account

Tip: If you are using Outlook, you may also need to check the Mail app settings in the Control Panel to remove the conflicting email profile.

Solution 2

Create a New Local User Account

Use this method if your current local user profile is corrupted and the password loop persists despite clearing account settings.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Account Sign-in Loops

Tired of dealing with frustrating account glitches, corrupted profiles, and endless sign-in pop-ups? WPS Office offers a completely free, lightweight, and powerful alternative to Microsoft Office. Enjoy seamless document editing without the strict, mandatory account synchronizations that often break.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your device.
2. Install and launch: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office.
3. Open your files: Open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents directly in WPS Office without any format conversion.

Use essential office tools freely without mandatory subscriptions or persistent account sign-in loops.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on both older and newer devices.Familiar, intuitive interface makes migrating from Microsoft Office completely seamless.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Microsoft Office password prompt keep popping up and won't close?

This continuous loop usually happens due to corrupted cached credentials, an expired password, or a background conflict between multiple Microsoft accounts linked to your operating system.

Will removing the incorrect account from my computer delete my Office files?

No. Removing a work or school account from your Windows or macOS settings only removes the login credential association. Your locally saved files, documents, and data will remain perfectly safe.

Can a corrupted operating system user profile cause Office sign-in loops?

Yes. If the local user profile on your operating system is corrupted, it may fail to securely store or read login tokens correctly, causing Microsoft Office to continuously prompt for credentials. Creating a fresh local profile often bypasses this issue.

Login & Account Issues