Fix Microsoft Office Sign-In Window Closing Without Password Prompt
Question details
The user is unable to complete the sign-in process for Microsoft Office because the login dialog box disappears unexpectedly.
- Product
- Microsoft 365, Office 2021
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to activate or sign into Microsoft Office desktop applications using a work or school account.
- Observed behavior
- The sign-in dialog box closes immediately after the user enters their email address, skipping the password prompt and leaving the Office application unactivated or in read-only mode.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify that your Microsoft 365 subscription is active by logging into the Microsoft account portal on your web browser.
Disconnect and Reconnect Your Account in Windows Settings
This is the most common and effective method to resolve account caching issues that cause the sign-in window to close prematurely.
Windows often caches work or school account credentials. If this cache becomes corrupted, it can interrupt the Office authentication flow. Disconnecting and reconnecting the account forces Windows to generate a fresh authentication token.
Click the Start menu and go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school.
Find your specific work or school account in the list, click on it, and select the Disconnect button.
Open Microsoft Excel or Word. Navigate to File > Account, click Sign In, and enter your work or school account credentials again.
Run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant
Use Microsoft's official diagnostic tool to automatically detect and fix Office sign-in and activation problems.
Modify the Windows Registry (Advanced)
If standard troubleshooting fails, adjusting the ADAL (Active Directory Authentication Library) registry keys can bypass modern authentication glitches.
Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
Skip the frustrating activation errors and account login glitches. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that lets you create, edit, and save Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without complex account restrictions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and open the WPS Office application.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Directly open your existing Microsoft Office files and start working immediately without any login hurdles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Office sign-in window close before I can type my password?
This usually happens due to corrupted cached credentials in Windows Settings, a glitch in the Active Directory Authentication Library (ADAL), or issues with the Web Account Manager (WAM) attempting to automatically sign you in and failing.
How can I verify if my Microsoft 365 subscription is still active?
You can check your subscription status by navigating to portal.office.com/account/#subscriptions in your web browser and logging in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Will I lose my files if I disconnect my work or school account in Windows?
No, disconnecting your work or school account from Windows Settings only removes the cached login credentials from your device. Your local files and cloud documents remain safe.
What is the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA)?
SaRA is a free diagnostic tool provided by Microsoft that automatically runs tests to figure out what's wrong with Office, Microsoft 365, or Outlook, and offers automated solutions for activation and sign-in issues.
