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Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Repeatedly Requesting Sign-in and Crashing
Question details
User experiences repeated sign-in prompts followed by app crashes in Microsoft 365 applications, even when already authenticated.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to open and use Microsoft 365 desktop applications like Word, PowerPoint, or Publisher.
- Observed behavior
- The applications repeatedly ask for sign-in credentials and crash shortly after, preventing normal software usage.
Make sure to save any open work in other applications and have your Microsoft account credentials ready, as repairing Office may require you to log in again.
Run an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
Online Repair is more thorough than a Quick Repair and can fix deep-seated software corruption causing sign-in loops and application crashes.
When Office applications exhibit severe behavioral issues like persistent crashing and authentication failure, the installation files may be damaged. Running an Online Repair reinstalls and updates these core files without affecting your personal documents.
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then navigate to 'Apps' > 'Installed apps' (or 'Apps & features' in older Windows versions).
Scroll down the list of installed programs or use the search bar to find 'Microsoft 365' or your specific Microsoft Office installation.
Click the three-dot icon next to the application name and select 'Modify'. If prompted by User Account Control, click 'Yes'.
In the repair dialog box, select 'Online Repair' rather than 'Quick Repair', then click the 'Repair' button to initiate the process.
Test Office Apps in Safe Mode
Launching apps in Safe Mode helps determine if conflicting third-party add-ins are triggering the sign-in requests and crashes.
Use WPS Office to Avoid Microsoft 365 Crashes and Sign-in Loops
If Microsoft 365 continues to crash or lock you out with frustrating sign-in requests, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that lets you view, edit, and create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without mandatory authentication loops.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install WPS Office.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Right-click any of your existing Microsoft Office files, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office to continue your work seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft 365 keep asking me to sign in?
This usually happens due to corrupted cached credentials in Windows, a glitch in the Office licensing service, or a temporary server synchronization issue with your Microsoft account.
Is Online Repair different from Quick Repair?
Yes. Quick Repair attempts to quickly replace missing or corrupted files without needing an internet connection. Online Repair completely uninstalls and reinstalls the Office applications, which takes longer but is much more effective for persistent crashing issues.
What should I do if Safe Mode doesn't fix the crashing issue?
If the application continues to crash even in Safe Mode, the issue is not caused by add-ins. You may need to completely remove Microsoft 365 using the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool and then perform a clean installation.
Can I use Microsoft Office desktop apps offline without signing in?
Microsoft 365 subscription versions require you to connect to the internet and verify your licensing status at least once every 31 days. If it cannot verify, the apps may repeatedly prompt for sign-in and eventually switch to reduced functionality mode.
