Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix Microsoft 365 App Sign-In Error with Correlation ID

WPS Content Manager Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to log into Microsoft 365 desktop applications and are receiving an error message accompanied by a specific correlation ID and error code.

How to Fix Microsoft 365 App Sign-In Error with Correlation ID

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to or activate Microsoft 365 desktop applications like Word or Excel.
Observed behavior: The authentication process fails, denying access to the application, and the prompt displays an error code alongside a randomly generated correlation ID.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials handy, and save any open work, as you may need to restart your computer during the troubleshooting process.

Solution 1Recommended

Repair Web Account Manager (WAM) Components via PowerShell

Use this method to resolve deep-rooted system corruption within the Windows identity and account management components.

Microsoft 365 relies on the Windows Web Account Manager (WAM) for modern authentication. If the WAM runtime files are corrupted, you will encounter persistent sign-in loops or correlation ID errors. You can restore these files using built-in system tools.

Run PowerShell as Administrator

Right-click the Windows Start button and select 'Windows PowerShell (Admin)' or 'Terminal (Admin)'.

Define the Manifest Path

Copy and paste the following command into the terminal and press Enter: $manifestPath = (Get-ChildItem $env:windir\WinSxS -Filter Microsoft.Identity.Authentication.WamRuntime.dll -Recurse).FullName | Select-Object -First 1

Replace the File Extension

Type this command and press Enter to target the correct manifest file: $manifestPath = $manifestPath -replace "Microsoft.Identity.Authentication.WamRuntime.dll", "Microsoft.Identity.Authentication.WamRuntime.manifest"

Run the DISM Restore Tool

Finally, execute the system repair command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:$manifestPath

Restart Your Device

Once the process completes to 100%, restart your computer and attempt to sign in to Microsoft 365 again.

Repair Web Account Manager (WAM) Components via PowerShell

Administrator Privileges Required: You must run PowerShell as an Administrator for the DISM command to execute successfully.

Solution 2

Update Microsoft 365 Applications

Updating the Office suite can fix known bugs and synchronize outdated application files that cause sign-in failures.

Solution 3

Disconnect and Reconnect Your Work or School Account

Resetting the account registration in Windows Settings can clear credential conflicts causing the correlation ID error.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office as a Lightweight, Error-Free Alternative

If you are tired of dealing with persistent Microsoft 365 sign-in errors and complex account synchronization issues, WPS Office offers a seamless, highly compatible alternative. Enjoy powerful tools for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without mandatory sign-ins.

100% compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.No mandatory sign-in required to create, edit, or save local files.Lightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use interface.Completely free core functionalities for students and professionals.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a correlation ID mean in Microsoft 365?

A correlation ID is a unique, randomly generated tracking code that Microsoft uses to identify and log a specific session or error on their servers. It helps IT administrators and Microsoft Support pinpoint exactly where and why the authentication failed.

How do I fix Web Account Manager (WAM) errors?

WAM errors are usually fixed by running specific DISM health repair commands in an elevated Windows PowerShell, which restores the corrupted Microsoft Identity Authentication files directly from the Windows Component Store (WinSxS).

Will disconnecting my work account delete my local files?

No, disconnecting your work or school account in Windows Settings only severs the device's connection to your organization's network and clears the saved sign-in tokens. Your locally saved documents and personal files remain entirely safe.

Why am I unable to update Office to fix the sign-in issue?

If you cannot access the 'File > Account' menu because a sign-in prompt is completely blocking the application, try launching the application in Safe Mode (hold CTRL while launching) or updating Office directly through the Microsoft Store if it was downloaded from there.

Login & Account Issues