Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix 'Your Sign-In Was Successful but Does Not Meet the Criteria' in Word

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to use Microsoft Word due to an access-policy error that blocks access despite entering the correct login credentials.

How to Fix the 'Your Sign-In Was Successful but Does Not Meet the Criteria' Error in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to edit documents in the desktop version of Microsoft Word or accessing files via OneDrive.
Observed behavior: The application successfully accepts the user's login credentials but immediately displays the error message: 'Your sign-in was successful but does not meet the criteria'.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft account email and password ready, and save any open documents before proceeding, as troubleshooting will require restarting your computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Your Microsoft 365 Subscription and Web Access

Check if your account has an active subscription and test if the issue is limited to the desktop application.

Often, this error occurs if a subscription has expired or if there is a mismatch between the account signed into Windows and the one licensed for Office. Testing web access helps isolate the problem.

Test Web Applications

Open a web browser and navigate to Office.com and OneDrive.com. Attempt to sign in with your Microsoft account to see if you can access your online files.

Check Subscription Status

Go to account.microsoft.com/services and log in. Verify that your Microsoft 365 subscription is listed as 'Active'.

Verify Your Microsoft 365 Subscription and Web Access

Web Access Successful: If you can successfully use the web versions of Word and OneDrive, your account is in good standing and the issue is strictly with the local desktop installation.

Solution 2

Clean Reinstall Office Using the Recovery Assistant

Use Microsoft's official diagnostic tool to completely remove corrupted Office installations and reinstall them.

Solution 3

Contact Account and Billing Support

If you are using a personal account with no recent changes, the issue may require intervention from Microsoft Support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office to Avoid Account and Subscription Lockouts

If Microsoft 365 subscription errors and strict access policies are preventing you from getting your work done, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy seamless document editing without being blocked by complex sign-in criteria.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file. The lightweight installation takes only a few minutes.
3. Open Your Documents: Right-click your existing Word documents and choose to open them with WPS Office to continue working immediately.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel formatsFree to use for basic and everyday document editing tasksNo complex subscription criteria or restrictive access policiesFamiliar user interface makes switching incredibly easy

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word say my sign-in was successful but doesn't meet criteria?

This error typically indicates that while your username and password are correct, your account lacks the necessary permissions. This can be caused by an expired Microsoft 365 subscription, a mismatch between your Windows profile and Office account, or strict Conditional Access policies set by a school or employer.

What should I do if this happens on a personal account with an active subscription?

If you have verified your subscription is active at account.microsoft.com/services and you are still blocked, the local installation data may be corrupted. Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) to completely uninstall and reinstall Office.

Will using the Support and Recovery Assistant delete my Word documents?

No, uninstalling and reinstalling Office using the SaRA tool only removes the application files. Your personal documents, whether saved locally on your hard drive or in OneDrive, will remain safe and unaffected.

Login & Account Issues