Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Repeated Microsoft Office Sign-In Prompts

Tauseeq Magsi Sep 27, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is trapped in a continuous sign-in loop when opening Microsoft Office desktop applications, despite Office for the Web and OneDrive functioning correctly.

How to Fix Repeated Microsoft Office Sign-In Prompts

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to launch and use Microsoft Office desktop applications but being constantly interrupted by repetitive sign-in requests.
Observed behavior: Desktop Office apps repeatedly prompt the user for their credentials, often due to corrupted identity caches or registry keys, preventing normal offline or desktop use.

Before you start

Ensure all Microsoft Office applications are completely closed before modifying system folders or the Windows Registry to prevent file corruption or data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Office Credential Cache Folders

Removing corrupted cached credentials from the local app data folders is the most common and effective way to resolve persistent sign-in loops.

Microsoft Office stores authentication tokens locally. When these tokens become corrupted or out of sync, the desktop applications will fail to recognize your active session.

Open File Explorer

Press the Windows Key + E to launch File Explorer on your computer.

Navigate to the Microsoft Folder

In the address bar at the top, type %localappdata%/Microsoft/ and press Enter.

Locate Auth Folders

Find the folders named 'OneAuth' and 'IdentityCache'.

Back Up and Delete Contents

Copy the contents of these folders to a safe backup location on your desktop, then delete all the original files inside both folders.

Restart and Sign In

Restart your computer, launch a Microsoft Office application, and sign in again to generate fresh authentication tokens.

Safe Deletion: Deleting these cache files is completely safe and will not affect your personal Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents.

Solution 2

Reset the Office Identity Registry Key

If clearing the local cache does not work, clearing the Office Identity data from the Windows Registry can force the application to reset its authentication state.

Solution 3

Roll Back Office Updates or Try an Account Alias

If the issue started after a recent system update or is tied to a specific account glitch, rolling back the update or using a Microsoft account alias can bypass the problem.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Account Sign-In Frustrations

Tired of dealing with persistent sign-in loops, licensing issues, and expensive subscription costs? WPS Office is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that offers seamless offline access without forcing continuous cloud authentication.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the Application: Run the installer to quickly set up WPS Office on your desktop or laptop.
3. Open Your Files: Right-click any of your existing Microsoft Office files and select 'Open with WPS Office' to continue your work without sign-in barriers.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Reliable offline access without frustrating mandatory sign-in loops.Familiar, intuitive user interface for a zero-learning-curve migration.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on both older and newer devices.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Office keep asking me to sign in even though I already did?

This commonly occurs when the locally cached credentials in your OneAuth or IdentityCache folders become corrupted, or when the local Office Identity registry key falls out of sync with Microsoft's authentication servers.

Will deleting the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders delete my saved documents?

No. Deleting the contents of the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders only removes temporary authentication and session data. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations are stored separately and will remain completely unaffected.

Can I transfer my Microsoft 365 Family subscription to another account to fix licensing issues?

A Microsoft 365 Family subscription cannot be manually transferred between accounts. If licensing is the root cause of your sign-in loop, you must cancel recurring billing on the current account and purchase a new subscription under the desired account.

Login & Account Issues