Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Microsoft Office Repeatedly Returning to Sign-In Screen

Camila Milosovich Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to use Microsoft Office applications or access OneDrive because the software gets stuck in a continuous sign-in loop.

Fix Microsoft Office Repeatedly Returning to Sign-In Screen

Product: Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to open Word or other Office apps and signing in to access documents and Microsoft 365 features.
Observed behavior: Word repeatedly returns to the 'Sign in to get started' screen even after entering credentials, and basic application repairs do not resolve the issue.

Before you start

Ensure all Microsoft Office applications are completely closed, and verify that you remember your Microsoft 365 account credentials before clearing the cache folders.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear the Microsoft Office Authentication Cache

This is the most effective method for resolving sign-in loops caused by corrupted cached credentials in Windows.

Microsoft Office stores temporary sign-in data in the OneAuth and Identity Cache folders. When these files become corrupted, they can prevent successful authentication, causing the app to endlessly prompt for your login details.

Close All Office Applications

Ensure that Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and any other Office applications are completely closed.

Enable Hidden Items in File Explorer

Open File Explorer. Click on the 'View' tab at the top and check the box for 'Hidden items' so you can navigate to hidden system folders.

Delete the OneAuth Folders

Navigate to the path: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneAuth (replace <username> with your actual Windows account name). Select and delete the 'accounts' and 'blobs' folders.

Delete the Identity Cache

Go back one step to the Microsoft folder (C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft). Locate the folder named 'Identity Cache' and delete it.

Restart and Sign In

Launch Microsoft Word again and enter your account credentials to sign in. The loop should now be resolved.

Clear the Microsoft Office Authentication Cache

Data Safety: Deleting these folders is completely safe and will not affect any of your saved documents or OneDrive files.

Solution 2

Use the Office Uninstall Support Tool

If clearing the cache does not work, a clean reinstall of Microsoft Office may be necessary to fix deeper configuration errors.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office to Avoid Sign-in Interruptions

If Microsoft Office sign-in issues are preventing you from working, switch to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative that is fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats, allowing you to edit your files immediately without complicated authentication loops.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
2. Open Your Files: Double-click your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open them directly in WPS Office.
3. Save and Export: Edit your documents and save them in their original Microsoft Office formats without worrying about sign-in barriers.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Edit documents locally without forced cloud sign-ins.Lightweight installation and incredibly fast startup.Familiar user interface for a seamless transition.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Word keep asking me to sign in?

This usually happens when the locally stored authentication tokens (cache) become corrupted. The application fails to recognize your active session, forcing you back to the sign-in screen continuously.

Will deleting the OneAuth folder delete my documents?

No. Deleting the OneAuth and Identity Cache folders only removes temporary sign-in configuration files. Your locally saved documents and cloud files on OneDrive remain completely safe.

What should I do if clearing the cache and reinstalling doesn't work?

If local troubleshooting steps like cache clearing, quick repair, and complete reinstallation fail, the issue may be tied to your Microsoft 365 account status on Microsoft's servers. You will need to contact Microsoft Office Support directly for backend assistance.

Login & Account Issues