Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix Excel Repeatedly Requesting Sign-In Due to Expired Credentials

Phi Hung Vo Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to save documents because Excel is trapped in a loop, continuously prompting for a sign-in due to expired cached Microsoft 365 credentials.

Fix Excel Repeatedly Requesting Sign-In from Expired Credentials

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to edit and save Microsoft 365 documents while the system holds outdated authentication data.
Observed behavior: Excel repeatedly opens a sign-in prompt and prevents the user from saving their work, even after entering credentials.

Before you start

Before proceeding, save a local copy of your current workbook to your desktop to prevent data loss, and ensure you have your correct Microsoft 365 account email and password ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Cached Microsoft Credentials in Control Panel

Removing corrupted or outdated credentials from the Windows Credential Manager is the most effective way to stop the sign-in loop.

Windows stores your login tokens to make opening Office apps faster. When these tokens expire or become corrupted, Excel fails to authenticate seamlessly and prompts you repeatedly.

Close Office Applications

Save any necessary local files and completely close Excel, Word, and all other Microsoft Office applications running on your computer.

Open Credential Manager

Click the Start menu, type 'Control Panel', and press Enter. Navigate to 'User Accounts' and select 'Credential Manager'.

Locate Windows Credentials

Click on the 'Windows Credentials' tab. Scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section and look for any items starting with 'MicrosoftOffice' or 'OneDrive'.

Remove Expired Credentials

Click the down arrow next to each relevant Microsoft Office or OneDrive entry to expand it, then click 'Remove'. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Restart and Sign In

Open Microsoft Excel again. You will be prompted to sign in once. Enter your Microsoft 365 credentials to generate a fresh, working login token.

Clear Cached Microsoft Credentials in Control Panel

Fresh Authentication: Deleting these entries will not delete your files or uninstall Office; it merely forces the system to ask for your password again and create a new secure token.

Solution 2

Test Network Connection and Windows Profile

Network restrictions or a corrupted Windows user profile can block Excel from communicating with Microsoft's authentication servers.

Solution 3

Reset Microsoft 365 Activation State

If standard credential clearing fails, a deeper reset of the Office activation state forces the software to rebuild its licensing files.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Avoid Microsoft 365 Sign-In Loops with WPS Office

If you are tired of troubleshooting persistent Microsoft Office activation errors and sign-in loops, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative without complex credential management.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your system.
2. Install the Application: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software.
3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx files instantly without worrying about expired credential prompts.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsNo complex subscription or Microsoft 365 activation loopsLightweight application that runs smoothly on most Windows PCsFamiliar user interface for seamless migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel keep asking me to sign in even after I enter my password?

This happens when the authentication token stored in the Windows Credential Manager expires or becomes corrupted. Excel keeps trying to use the bad token in the background, which fails and triggers the sign-in prompt repeatedly.

Will I lose my unsaved Excel files if I clear my credentials?

If you are currently working on a file that refuses to save to OneDrive due to the sign-in loop, use the 'Save As' function to save a local copy to your computer's Desktop or Documents folder before closing Excel to clear your credentials.

Can a bad internet connection cause Office sign-in loops?

Yes. If your internet connection is unstable or if a network firewall blocks access to Microsoft's login servers, Excel cannot verify your account status and may continuously prompt you to sign in.

Login & Account Issues