Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Office and OneNote Stuck in a Windows Sign-in Loop

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a continuous sign-in loop in Microsoft Office desktop applications, including OneNote, after removing an old school account.

Product: Microsoft Office / OneNote
Device & OS: Windows PC
Scenario: Attempting to log into Office desktop applications on a Windows PC after a previous school account was disconnected.
Observed behavior: Office applications repeatedly prompt for sign-in and fail to authenticate, even though browser login works normally, the internet connection is stable, no VPN is active, and the software has been reinstalled.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows PC and completely close all running Microsoft Office applications before attempting to clear your credentials.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Stored Account Credentials in Windows

Removing lingering credentials from the old school account prevents Office from attempting to authenticate with outdated or orphaned login data.

Windows stores authentication tokens for Microsoft apps locally. When an account is removed, these tokens can sometimes remain cached, confusing the Office desktop apps and causing a continuous loop.

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

In the Credential Manager window, click on the 'Windows Credentials' tab to view locally stored account tokens.

Remove Office Credentials

Scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section. Locate any entries starting with 'MicrosoftOffice' or relating to your old school account. Click the downward arrow next to each entry and select 'Remove'.

Restart and Sign In

Restart your computer, open OneNote or Word, and sign in again with your current, active Microsoft account.

Credential Cleanup Complete: Clearing these credentials will safely force Office to ask for fresh authentication without deleting any of your personal documents.

Solution 2

Test Office in a New Local Administrator Profile

Creating a fresh Windows user profile helps determine if the sign-in loop is caused by deep-rooted corruption in your current Windows user profile data.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If Microsoft Office continues to trap you in a frustrating sign-in loop due to account errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative that doesn't force continuous account verifications, while maintaining full compatibility with your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Windows.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the quick setup.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without dealing with frustrating login loops.

Free to download and use without complex account licensing loopsFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on all Windows PCsFamiliar user interface for a seamless, immediate migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Office app stuck in a sign-in loop but the web browser works?

Desktop applications use the Windows Credential Manager to store authentication tokens locally. If an old or corrupted token (like from a removed school account) remains, the local app will fail to authenticate, even though your account works perfectly fine on a web browser where credentials are not shared with the OS.

Will reinstalling Office fix the sign-in loop?

Usually, reinstalling Office does not resolve this specific issue. Uninstalling the software leaves the stored credentials intact within your Windows user profile. You must manually clear the cached login data from the Windows Credential Manager to break the loop.

How do I know if my Windows user profile is corrupted?

You can isolate the issue by creating a new local administrator account on your PC and testing Office there. If the sign-in loop disappears in the new profile, it confirms that your original user profile's registry or AppData is holding onto corrupted account configurations.

Login & Account Issues