Account Locked & Blocked

Fix Word Saying Account Is Blocked After Microsoft 365 Password Change

WPS Editor Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to sign in to Microsoft Word because the application states the account is blocked, even though the newly changed Microsoft 365 password successfully logs into the account via a web browser.

How to Fix "Account is Blocked" in Word After Changing Your Microsoft 365 Password

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to log into the Word desktop application after recently updating the Microsoft 365 account password.
Observed behavior: Word prevents access and displays an "account is blocked" error message despite the credentials working perfectly in a web browser.

Before you start

Ensure you have your updated Microsoft 365 email and password ready, and verify that you can successfully log in to your account via a web browser before troubleshooting the desktop app.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Saved Credentials and Sign In Again

Removing outdated passwords from your system's credential manager forces Word to authenticate and sync with your new Microsoft 365 password.

When you change your password online, the desktop application may still attempt to use the old password cached by your operating system, triggering a blocked account security response.

Sign out of Office

Open Microsoft Word, go to the 'File' menu, select 'Account', and click 'Sign out'. Once signed out, close Word and all other Office applications.

Open Credential Manager

Press the Windows key, type 'Credential Manager' in the search bar, and select the application from the results.

Remove Old Credentials

Click on 'Windows Credentials'. Scroll through the list to find any entries starting with 'MicrosoftOffice' or 'OneDrive'. Click on each entry and select 'Remove'.

Restart and Sign In

Relaunch Microsoft Word. Click on 'Sign in' and enter your newly updated Microsoft 365 email and password.

Clear Saved Credentials and Sign In Again

For Mac Users: If you are using a Mac, you need to open the 'Keychain Access' app, search for 'Microsoft Office', and delete the cached credentials there instead of using Windows Credential Manager.

Solution 2

Use Account Recovery or Contact Administrator

If clearing credentials does not work, the account block might be enforced at the administrative level or require official intervention.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If Microsoft 365 sign-in issues and account blocks are repeatedly interrupting your workflow, consider using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with a highly familiar user interface, requiring no complicated account syncing just to edit your local files.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your specific operating system.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly from your computer without needing to troubleshoot account credentials.
3. Resume Your Work: Edit, save, and share your documents seamlessly while maintaining perfect Microsoft format compatibility.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Edit local files instantly without mandatory cloud sign-ins or frustrating account blocks.Lightweight software that installs quickly and runs smoothly even on older devices.Free to use with a familiar user interface, meaning zero learning curve for Office users.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word say my account is blocked when it works perfectly in the browser?

Desktop applications like Microsoft Word rely on the operating system's cached credentials to keep you logged in. If you change your password online, the old password saved in the Windows Credential Manager or Mac Keychain creates a login conflict, causing Word's security protocols to register the account as blocked.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the blocked account error?

Reinstalling Office rarely resolves this specific issue because cached passwords and login tokens remain safely stored in the operating system even after an app is uninstalled. Clearing your Credential Manager or Keychain is a much faster and more effective solution.

How do I fix the blocked account issue on a Mac?

On macOS, make sure all Office apps are completely closed. Open the 'Keychain Access' app (found in Applications > Utilities), search for 'Microsoft Office', and delete any credential entries that appear. Restart Word and sign in with your updated password.

Login & Account Issues