Microsoft Account Errors

How to Fix Microsoft Office Repeatedly Requesting to Accept Updated Terms

Maira Mehtab Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is caught in a loop where Microsoft Office applications constantly prompt them to accept updated terms of service, but the provided link incorrectly requires a work or school account instead of their personal account.

How to Fix Microsoft Office Repeatedly Requesting to Accept Updated Terms

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening and using Microsoft 365 applications like Word and Excel with a personal subscription.
Observed behavior: A terms-and-conditions prompt appears repeatedly. Clicking the link opens a page that rejects the user's personal account and demands a work or school account, preventing them from accepting the terms.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have the exact email address and password for your personal Microsoft account ready, as you will need to sign back into your applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Sign Out, Restart, and Sign Back In

This is the most effective method to clear cached credentials and refresh the account context in Microsoft Office.

Often, Office applications cache outdated or conflicting login tokens. Signing out completely and restarting your device forces the software to establish a fresh connection with Microsoft's authentication servers, which can bypass the incorrect enterprise prompt.

Sign out of Office

Open Word or Excel. Click on 'File' in the top left corner, then select 'Account' (or 'Office Account'). Click the 'Sign out' button under your user profile and confirm.

Close all applications

Completely close Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and any other running Microsoft 365 applications.

Restart your device

Reboot your computer to clear any lingering temporary session data from your system's memory.

Sign in with your personal account

Open Word again. You will be prompted to sign in. Enter the credentials for the personal Microsoft account associated with your active Microsoft 365 subscription.

Account Refresh Complete: After signing back in, try creating a new document to verify if the terms of service prompt has disappeared.

Solution 2

Install the Latest Office Updates

Updating your software ensures you have the latest bug fixes from Microsoft, which may include a patch for this specific broken link issue.

Solution 3

Report the Service-Side Glitch to Microsoft

If the prompt persists, the terms page itself may be temporarily broken for personal accounts on Microsoft's end, requiring intervention from their support team.

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1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Office and immediately start opening and editing your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without endless account prompts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Microsoft terms link ask for a work or school account instead of my personal one?

This is typically caused by a routing error on Microsoft's servers. The application triggers a prompt intended for personal accounts, but the provided URL incorrectly redirects to an enterprise authentication page.

Can I continue using Word and Excel without accepting the updated terms?

Usually, accepting the terms is mandatory to continue using Microsoft 365 services. If the link is broken, you cannot easily bypass it, which is why signing out to clear the prompt or using the web version is recommended.

Will reinstalling Microsoft 365 fix the endless terms prompt?

Reinstalling can occasionally help by completely wiping cached credentials and temporary files that cause the prompt loop. However, signing out and restarting your device is a much faster troubleshooting step to try first.

Login & Account Issues