Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix Microsoft Office and OneNote Sign-In Loop

Huma Ashraf Ch Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to log into Microsoft Office desktop applications, including OneNote, due to a continuous sign-in loop that persists even after reinstalling the software.

How to Fix the Endless Microsoft Office and OneNote Sign-In Loop

Product: Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to Microsoft Office desktop applications with a personal account after an old school account was removed from the PC.
Observed behavior: The sign-in window continuously loops in the desktop applications and fails to grant access, although signing in through a web browser works perfectly.

Before you start

Ensure your internet connection is stable and temporarily disable any active VPNs, third-party antivirus programs, or encryption software that might intercept the login request.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a New Windows Local Administrator Account

Creating a fresh Windows user profile bypasses old, corrupted account data (such as a lingering school email) that might be stuck in your current Windows configuration.

Often, simply reinstalling Microsoft Office does not resolve login loops because the underlying issue lies within the corrupted user profile credentials cached in Windows.

Open Windows Account Settings

Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app, then select Accounts followed by Other users.

Initiate Account Creation

Click on Add account, and when prompted, select the 'I do not have this person's sign-in information' option.

Add a Local User

Choose 'Add a user without a Microsoft account' and follow the on-screen instructions to create the new local profile.

Grant Administrator Privileges

Select the newly created account from the list, choose 'Change account type', and change it from Standard User to Administrator.

Test Office Sign-In

Log out of your current Windows session, sign in with the new local administrator account, open OneNote or another Office app, and attempt to sign in with your personal Microsoft account.

Create a New Windows Local Administrator Account

Data Access: If this resolves the issue, you can safely migrate your personal files from the old Windows user folder to the new one.

Solution 2

Switch to an Alternative Network Connection

Network restrictions, DNS issues, or router firewalls can sometimes block Microsoft's authentication servers, causing the application to loop back to the login screen.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If Microsoft Office sign-in loops continue to disrupt your workflow and prevent you from accessing your documents, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative that lets you edit local files without forcing mandatory cloud sign-ins.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
2. Open Existing Office Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office files without worrying about complex account configurations.
3. Save and Export: Edit your documents and save them in standard Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) to maintain full compatibility.

Free and lightweight office suite with rapid installationSeamless format compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPointNo mandatory login loops required to edit your local filesFamiliar user interface for immediate, disruption-free productivity

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Office keep asking me to sign in?

This typically occurs due to corrupted cached credentials in your Windows profile, lingering data from previous school or work accounts, or local network interruptions that prevent your PC from securely reaching Microsoft's authentication servers.

Can I clear old Microsoft Office credentials without creating a new user profile?

Yes. You can open the Windows Start menu, search for 'Credential Manager', select 'Windows Credentials', and remove any cached entries that contain 'MicrosoftOffice' in their name. Restart your PC afterward and try signing in again.

Will completely reinstalling Office fix the sign-in loop?

Not always. If the login loop is tied to your Windows user profile configuration, registry keys, or network firewall settings, simply uninstalling and reinstalling the software will not resolve the underlying authentication blockage.

Login & Account Issues