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How to Fix Microsoft 365 Endless PIN Loop Sign-in Error
Question details
The user is unable to access Microsoft 365 apps due to a continuous sign-in loop that repeatedly asks for an email address and PIN without granting access.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to sign in and authenticate Microsoft 365 desktop applications to access full software functionality.
- Observed behavior
- The application continuously displays an account or device repair message (such as 'Fix me') and loops back to requesting an email and PIN. Reinstalling the apps and OneDrive does not break the loop.
Ensure you are connected to a stable internet connection and have your correct Microsoft account email and password ready, as you will need to re-authenticate from scratch after clearing your system's cached credentials.
Clear Stale Credentials from Windows Credential Manager
Removing old, corrupted, or conflicting account credentials forces Microsoft 365 to establish a fresh, clean connection.
The endless PIN loop is most frequently caused by corrupted login tokens saved on your device. When Microsoft 365 tries to sign in, it reads these broken tokens, fails, and prompts you again in an endless cycle. Clearing these out will stop the loop.
Click the Start menu, type 'Credential Manager' into the search bar, and press Enter to open the utility.
Click on the 'Windows Credentials' tab to view all saved credentials on your device.
Scroll down to the 'Generic Credentials' section. Look for any entries containing 'MicrosoftOffice16' or your work/school email address. Click the downward arrow next to each one and select 'Remove'.
Restart your computer, open a Microsoft 365 application like Word, and sign in again with your email and PIN.
Disconnect and Reconnect Work or School Accounts
Refreshing your device's connection to an organizational network can clear device authentication repair messages.
Install Pending System and App Updates
Applying the latest updates ensures you have the most recent security and authentication bug fixes from Microsoft.
Tired of Microsoft 365 Sign-in Issues? Try WPS Office
If Microsoft 365 account repair loops are disrupting your workflow and restricting access to your own files, WPS Office provides a reliable, lightweight, and free alternative. You can create, view, and edit all your documents offline without dealing with complex cloud authentication hurdles.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the software on your device in minutes.
- 3. Open Your Files Directly: Right-click any of your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files and select 'Open with WPS Office' to bypass Microsoft's sign-in blocks completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft 365 keep asking me to sign in repeatedly?
This continuous loop typically happens due to corrupted cached credentials in your system's Credential Manager, outdated software bugs, or synchronization conflicts with connected work or school accounts on your device.
Will reinstalling Microsoft 365 fix the endless PIN loop?
Usually, no. As noted by many users, simply reinstalling Microsoft 365 or OneDrive does not resolve the PIN loop because the corrupted authentication tokens remain saved on your operating system. You must manually clear the cached credentials to fix it.
What does the 'Fix me' account repair message mean?
The 'Fix me' message indicates that Windows has detected a problem with your Microsoft account's security token or device registration. Clicking it attempts to re-authenticate, but if the old token is stuck, it results in the endless sign-in loop.
