Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix Microsoft Word Signing Out After Entering Email

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user experiences a silent login loop in Microsoft Word, where the application immediately returns to the initial sign-in screen right after submitting an email address.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to Microsoft Word to access cloud documents or activate the software.
Observed behavior: The application fails to proceed to the password screen or log the user in, looping back to the sign-in prompt without displaying any error codes or warning messages.

Before you start

Before proceeding with system-level troubleshooting, ensure that your device has a stable internet connection and that Windows is fully updated to avoid standard network authentication blockers.

Solution 1Recommended

Test with a New Windows User Account

Creating a new Windows profile helps determine if your current user profile is corrupted, which is a common cause of silent Microsoft Office sign-in loops.

When Windows user profiles become corrupted, background authentication services can fail silently. Testing Office under a fresh local account isolates whether the issue is with the application itself or your specific Windows environment.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start menu and select 'Settings' (the gear icon), then navigate to 'Accounts'.

Add a new user

Select 'Family & other users' from the left sidebar. Click 'Add someone else to this PC' and choose to add a user without a Microsoft account for testing purposes.

Log in and test Word

Sign out of your current Windows session, log into the newly created account, and open Microsoft Word.

Attempt sign-in

Try signing into Word again. If the sign-in proceeds to the password screen and works successfully, your original Windows user profile is corrupted.

Profile Corruption Identified: If this method works, you will need to either migrate your personal files to the new Windows profile or follow Microsoft's official guide to repair the corrupted user profile.

Solution 2

Clear Cached Office Credentials

Removing old or stuck login tokens from the Windows Credential Manager can clear the authentication loop.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office to Avoid Sign-in Loops and Access Your Documents Instantly

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with login issues, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative that lets you view, edit, and create Word documents without complex authentication barriers.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the quick setup.
3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word files to continue working immediately.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats like .docx and .doc.Lightweight installation with fast startup times and low system resource usage.Free to use for basic document editing and creation.Familiar user interface ensuring a seamless migration from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word keep returning to the sign-in screen without an error message?

This silent loop is typically caused by a corrupted Windows user profile, stuck credential caches in the Windows Credential Manager, or temporary network connectivity issues blocking the Microsoft authentication server from returning a proper response.

Can I use Microsoft Word locally without signing in?

If you have a perpetual license (like Office 2019 or 2021), you generally only need to sign in once for activation. However, for Microsoft 365 subscriptions, periodic sign-in is strictly required to verify your active subscription status, otherwise the software may lock into reduced functionality mode.

Will I lose my files if I create a new Windows user account?

No. Creating a new Windows user account does not delete your existing files. You can still access your documents by navigating to the C:\Users folder of your old account, and you can safely copy them over to the new profile once you confirm Word works.

Login & Account Issues