Office Apps Crashing

Fix PowerPoint Logging Out and Repeated Repair Prompts

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where PowerPoint unexpectedly signs them out and displays a persistent repair prompt that cannot be fixed by the built-in repair tool.

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Working on presentations and opening files in Microsoft PowerPoint.
Observed behavior: PowerPoint continuously logs the user out during work and repeatedly prompts the user to repair the application shortly after a file is opened, even after the repair option is executed.

Before you start

Make sure to save any open presentations to a local drive and completely close all Microsoft Office applications via the Task Manager before clearing authentication caches or modifying identity data.

Solution 1Recommended

Start PowerPoint in Safe Mode

Run PowerPoint without any third-party add-ins to identify if an extension is causing the repeated repair and sign-out behavior.

Faulty or outdated third-party add-ins often conflict with PowerPoint's core processes, triggering automatic crashes or repair loops. Safe Mode bypasses these extensions for troubleshooting.

Open the Run dialog

Press the Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run command window.

Execute the Safe Mode command

Type 'powerpnt /safe' into the text box and press Enter or click OK.

Test the application

Open your presentation file while in Safe Mode. If PowerPoint does not prompt for a repair or log you out, disable your recently installed add-ins one by one from File > Options > Add-ins to find the culprit.

Solution 2

Clear Office Authentication Caches and Identity Registry

Remove corrupted Microsoft Office identity data that traps the application in an authentication error loop.

Solution 3

Reinstall or Roll Back Microsoft Office

Fix deep-rooted software corruption or bugs introduced by recent updates by reinstalling Office or reverting to a previous stable version.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Presentation for a Stable, Crash-Free Experience

If Microsoft PowerPoint continues to crash, display repair prompts, or log you out due to authentication errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly stable, lightweight environment for creating and editing your presentations without the complex account syncing issues.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and open the WPS Presentation module once the installation is complete.
3. Open Your Presentations: Drag and drop your existing .pptx files into WPS Presentation to continue working smoothly without formatting loss.

Highly compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx) formatsLightweight application that requires fewer system resources and loads fasterFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interface for quick migrationStable offline functionality without persistent authentication errors or forced logouts

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does PowerPoint keep telling me it needs to be repaired?

This usually occurs when an Office file, a third-party add-in, or the software's authentication data (like the OneAuth folder) becomes corrupted. This corruption prevents the application from validating your session, triggering a continuous repair loop.

Will starting PowerPoint in Safe Mode delete my files?

No, Safe Mode only temporarily disables third-party add-ins, customizations, and extensions for that specific session. Your presentations, templates, and data remain completely safe and untouched.

Where can I find the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders?

You can locate these folders by pressing Windows + R, typing '%localappdata%\Microsoft', and pressing Enter. The OneAuth and IdentityCache folders will be visible in the directory that opens.

What should I do if the built-in repair tool fails repeatedly?

If both Quick Repair and Online Repair fail to resolve the issue, you should try clearing your Office identity cache and registry keys. If that also fails, a complete uninstall and reinstall of the software is the most effective solution.

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