How to Fix Microsoft 365 Requesting Payment After Office Depot Purchase
Question details
The user is prompted to pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription after having already purchased a product key or license from an Office Depot store.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Activating a newly purchased Microsoft 365 subscription or Office license.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 requests payment and does not recognize the previously purchased Office Depot license.
Locate your Office Depot purchase receipt and ensure you have the 25-character product key readily available before proceeding with the activation steps.
Redeem the Product Key and Verify Your Subscription
To stop payment requests, you must link the product key purchased from Office Depot to your personal Microsoft account before installing the software.
Many users make the mistake of installing the software before redeeming their purchase. By redeeming the key online first, your Microsoft account becomes the official license holder.
Navigate to the Microsoft account redemption page at https://account.microsoft.com using your web browser.
Sign in with your personal Microsoft account and carefully type in the 25-character product key found on your Office Depot receipt or activation card.
Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services and verify that the Microsoft 365 subscription or Office license now appears as active.
Open any Office app installed on your computer, click 'File', select 'Account', and ensure you are signed in with the exact same Microsoft account used to redeem the key.
Switch to the Correct Software Version
If you purchased a one-time license like Home & Student 2023 but are being asked for a Microsoft 365 subscription payment, you may have the wrong version installed.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Subscription Hassles
If you are tired of dealing with recurring billing, activation errors, and expensive subscriptions, WPS Office offers a completely free, highly compatible alternative. It is lightweight, easy to set up, and requires no complicated product key redemption.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation in seconds.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office documents without needing to convert them or sign in to a subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft 365 ask for payment if I bought Home & Student 2023?
Office Home & Student is a one-time purchase, while Microsoft 365 is a recurring subscription. If you installed Microsoft 365 by mistake, it will ask for a subscription payment. You must uninstall Microsoft 365 and download the specific Home & Student version from your Microsoft account.
Will turning off recurring billing cancel my Office Depot prepaid subscription?
No. Turning off recurring billing only prevents automatic charges for the next billing cycle. You can continue using your Microsoft 365 applications for the full duration of the prepaid year you purchased from Office Depot.
What should I do if my product key from Office Depot says it has already been used?
If the key shows as used, it was likely already linked to your Microsoft account during a previous attempt. Visit the 'Services & Subscriptions' page on your Microsoft account dashboard to check if the subscription is already active. If it is not, contact Office Depot or Microsoft support for assistance.
