Office for Mac Issues

Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Sign-In Errors on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to successfully log into Microsoft 365 Family applications on a Mac, experiencing a continuous sign-in loop.

Product: Microsoft 365 Apps (Word, Excel)
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to activate or use Microsoft 365 applications by signing in with a Microsoft account.
Observed behavior: The applications repeatedly prompt for credentials and produce sign-in errors, even after the user correctly enters both their Microsoft 365 password and the Mac computer password.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and your Microsoft account login credentials readily available before proceeding with license removal.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Stale License Information

Clearing out corrupted or outdated Office license files is the most effective way to resolve activation conflicts on a Mac.

Sometimes, older Office license files left on your Mac can conflict with new subscription sign-ins, creating an endless loop of password prompts.

Close Office Applications

Ensure all Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, are completely closed.

Run the License Removal Tool

Download and run Microsoft's official Office License Removal Tool for Mac. Follow the on-screen prompts to clear out existing license data.

Sign In Again

Reopen Word or Excel and sign in using the Microsoft account associated with your active Microsoft 365 Family subscription.

Local Files Safe: Running the License Removal Tool only clears activation data; it will not delete or alter any of your saved documents.

Solution 2

Verify Microsoft Account Status

Check if the Microsoft account itself is locked or experiencing issues online.

Solution 3

Roll Back to an Earlier Office Version

If a recent update introduced a bug causing sign-in failures, temporarily reverting to an older version can bypass the issue.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Mac for a Hassle-Free Experience

Tired of dealing with repeated sign-in errors and complex license conflicts? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. Enjoy a seamless document editing experience on your Mac without frustrating subscription activation loops.

1. Download the App: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version for free.
2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open Your Files Directly: Double-click any existing Microsoft Office document to open it immediately in WPS Office without needing to troubleshoot sign-ins.

Completely free to use with a fast, lightweight installation processFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formatsNo complex subscription sign-in errors or license removal troubleshooting requiredFamiliar user interface that makes switching incredibly easy

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Word keep asking me to sign in on my Mac?

This usually happens when corrupted license files on your Mac conflict with the Microsoft 365 activation servers, causing the system to continuously prompt for credentials even when they are correct.

Will using the Office License Removal Tool delete my documents?

No. The tool only deletes the local activation and license cache files. All your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations remain completely safe on your hard drive.

How do I temporarily disable automatic updates in Office for Mac?

Open any Office application, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. In the Microsoft AutoUpdate window, uncheck the box for automatically keeping Microsoft apps up to date.

What should I do if my Microsoft account is locked?

Go to the Microsoft account recovery page in your web browser. Enter your email address and follow the verification steps (like receiving a code via SMS or alternate email) to unlock your account before trying to use the Mac apps.

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