Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix an Expired Office Authorization Code or Refresh Token

Steve K Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are encountering an error message stating that their authorization code or refresh token has expired, preventing them from using or signing into Microsoft Office applications.

How to Fix an Expired Office Authorization Code or Refresh Token

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Signing in to Microsoft Office applications or trying to activate the software using a university or corporate account.
Observed behavior: Office displays an error indicating the sign-in token is inactive, outdated, or invalid, which blocks user access until the token is refreshed.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and have your correct account email and password ready before you attempt to clear any login credentials.

Solution 1Recommended

Sign Out and Re-authenticate Office Apps

This is the most direct way to generate a new valid refresh token and authorization code.

When an Office token expires, simply restarting the application is often not enough. You must manually sign out to clear the active session and then sign back in to force the system to request a fresh token from the authentication server.

Sign out of your account

Open any Microsoft Office application, click on your profile picture or account name in the top corner, and select 'Sign Out'.

Close all Office applications

Ensure that Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are completely closed so no background processes are holding onto the old token.

Sign in again

Reopen one of the Office apps, click on 'Sign In', and enter your email and password to authenticate and generate a new token.

Sign Out and Re-authenticate Office Apps

Test Online: If you are unsure if your account is active, try signing in at https://www.office.com in a web browser first.

Solution 2

Clear Old Credentials in Keychain Access (Mac)

Use this solution if you are on a Mac and the standard sign-out process does not clear the stubborn expired tokens.

Solution 3

Update Office and Contact Your IT Administrator

Use this step if persistent token errors occur due to strict organization policies, multifactor authentication (MFA) issues, or outdated software.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If you are tired of dealing with complex Microsoft Entra ID policies, multifactor authentication blocks, and expired tokens, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and offline-friendly alternative.

1. Download and install: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and simply drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office documents into the workspace.
3. Edit without interruption: Enjoy seamless offline editing without worrying about session expirations or token authorization codes.

No complex Microsoft token or forced login requirementsFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsLightweight and installs in secondsFree to use for everyday document creation and editing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Office authorization token keep expiring?

Tokens typically expire due to prolonged inactivity, recent password changes, or strict multifactor authentication (MFA) policies enforced by your university or corporate IT department.

What is a refresh token in Microsoft Office?

A refresh token is a hidden credential used by Office applications to automatically get new access tokens in the background. This allows you to stay signed in without having to enter your password every time you open an app.

How do I check if my Office account is still active?

You can quickly verify your account status by navigating to https://www.office.com in your web browser. If you can sign in there successfully, the issue is likely a localized app cache problem on your computer.

Can I fix token errors without contacting my IT admin?

Usually, yes. By signing out of all apps, clearing your device's credential cache (like Keychain on Mac or Credential Manager on Windows), and signing back in, you can often generate a fresh token without IT assistance.

Login & Account Issues