Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Fix Repeated Word Sign-in Requests and Windows Security Pop-ups

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user experiences continuous sign-in prompts in Microsoft Word indicating an account problem, along with repeated Windows Hello authentication requests in Microsoft Whiteboard, which persist despite repairing and reinstalling.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to use Microsoft Word or Whiteboard but being constantly interrupted by authentication requests and Windows Security pop-ups.
Observed behavior: Word repeatedly reports an account error and requests sign-in credentials, while Whiteboard repeatedly asks for Windows Hello authentication. Standard fixes like repairing, resetting, reinstalling, and signing out fail to resolve the loop.

Before you start

Before making advanced system changes, verify that your Microsoft account is active by signing in at account.microsoft.com and checking your Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription status. If you proceed with editing the registry, ensure you create a backup of your registry first to prevent system issues.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Office Authentication Cache and Identity Registry

This advanced troubleshooting step removes corrupted cached identities that cause the repeated sign-in loop in Microsoft Office apps.

Often, corrupted temporary authentication tokens stored locally on your Windows machine cause Office applications to lose track of your login state.

Clearing the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders, followed by deleting the Office Identity registry key, forces Word to create a fresh authentication profile.

Close Office Applications

Ensure Microsoft Word, Whiteboard, and all other Office applications are completely closed.

Clear OneAuth and IdentityCache Folders

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneAuth and delete all files inside the folder. Then, repeat the process by typing %localappdata%\Microsoft\IdentityCache and deleting its contents.

Open Registry Editor

Type 'regedit' in the Windows search bar and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Delete the Identity Key

Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Identity. Right-click the 'Identity' folder and select Delete.

Restart and Sign In

Restart your computer, open Microsoft Word, and sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.

Registry Backup: Always back up the registry by clicking File > Export in the Registry Editor before making any deletions.

Solution 2

Roll Back Office to an Earlier Version

If a recent Microsoft 365 update triggered the sign-in loop, reverting to a previous stable build can temporarily bypass the bug.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Avoid Sign-in Loops with WPS Office

Tired of dealing with endless authentication prompts, registry edits, and update rollbacks? WPS Office provides a lightweight, hassle-free alternative to Microsoft 365. It's free to use, highly compatible with standard document formats, and lets you focus on your work without complex sign-in loops.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Windows.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software on your PC.
3. Open Your Documents: Right-click your existing Word documents, choose 'Open with', and select WPS Office to immediately start editing without sign-in barriers.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.No forced subscriptions or complicated account sign-in loops to access your local files.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on all Windows devices.Familiar, easy-to-use tabbed interface for a seamless transition from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word keep asking me to sign in every time I open it?

This usually happens when there is a conflict or corruption in the cached authentication tokens stored in the Windows OneAuth or IdentityCache folders, or due to a known bug in a recent Microsoft 365 update.

How do I check if my Microsoft 365 subscription is active?

Go to account.microsoft.com, log in with your Microsoft credentials, and navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' tab to verify the status and expiration date of your Personal or Family plan.

Will deleting the Identity Registry key delete my Word files?

No. Deleting the Identity registry key only clears your saved sign-in profile for Microsoft Office applications. Your Word documents and other local or cloud files will remain completely safe and untouched.

Login & Account Issues