Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix Office 365 Keeps Asking for Sign-In When Opening Files

Phi Hung Vo Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing continuous and repeated sign-in prompts when attempting to open files in Microsoft 365 web apps, Teams, and Outlook.

How to Fix Office 365 Keeps Asking for Sign-In When Opening Files

Product: Office 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening documents in Office 365 web applications or desktop clients.
Observed behavior: The application repeatedly asks the user to sign in, often creating a two-factor authentication loop or unexpectedly signing the user out.

Before you start

Ensure you have your current Microsoft account email and password ready, and verify that your two-factor authentication method (like a mobile authenticator app or backup phone) is accessible before troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Use this method if the repeated sign-in prompts occur in a specific web browser. Clearing corrupted temporary data often resolves authentication loops.

Browsers store temporary internet files and cookies to speed up page loading and keep you logged in. However, when Office 365 session cookies become outdated or corrupted, they can trigger continuous sign-in requests. Isolating the issue by testing a different browser first will confirm if a cache clear is necessary.

Test a different browser

Open a completely different web browser (e.g., if you use Chrome, try Edge or Firefox). Log into your Microsoft 365 account and try to open a file. If it works without prompting you to sign in repeatedly, the issue is isolated to your primary browser.

Access browsing data settings

Go back to your primary browser where the issue occurred. Click the three-dot menu (or settings icon) in the top right corner, navigate to Settings, and locate the 'Privacy and security' or 'History' section.

Clear cache and cookies

Select 'Clear browsing data'. Choose 'All time' for the time range, check the boxes for 'Cookies and other site data' and 'Cached images and files', then click 'Clear data'.

Restart and sign in

Close the browser completely, reopen it, navigate to Office 365, and sign in again to verify the issue is resolved.

Session Reset: Clearing cookies will sign you out of most websites, providing a fresh session for your Microsoft 365 account.

Solution 2

Use an Incognito or Private Browsing Window

A quick, temporary workaround to access your files immediately without being hindered by corrupted browser extensions or cache.

Solution 3

Create a New Windows User Profile

Recommended if the sign-in loop persists across multiple different web browsers on the same computer.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Cloud Sign-in Loops

If you are frustrated by continuous Microsoft 365 sign-in prompts and authentication errors, WPS Office provides a reliable, lightweight, and free alternative. You can edit your documents locally or via the cloud without restrictive sign-in barriers.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Open Existing Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office files directly from your local drive.
3. Edit Without Mandatory Logins: Enjoy editing, saving, and exporting your documents without being interrupted by repeated sign-in prompts.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Work seamlessly offline without constant account verification prompts or cloud interruptions.Lightweight installation ensures fast performance on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.Familiar user interface requires no learning curve to get started.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Office 365 keep asking me to sign in?

This usually happens due to corrupted browser cache, conflicting session cookies, or synchronization issues between your local applications and the Microsoft cloud servers.

Will clearing my browser cache delete my Office files?

No. Clearing your browser cache and cookies only removes temporary internet files and active login sessions. Your documents are safely stored on OneDrive or SharePoint.

How do I stop the two-factor authentication loop?

You can temporarily bypass it by signing in through an incognito window. For a permanent fix, try completely clearing your browser cookies, or check if your device's system time is synced properly, as out-of-sync clocks can cause authentication failures.

Login & Account Issues