Office for Mac Issues

Fix Repeated Microsoft 365 Login Prompts and Update Delays on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 29, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to stop Microsoft 365 applications from continuously asking for sign-in credentials and experiencing update delays when launched on macOS.

How to Fix Repeated Microsoft 365 Login Prompts and Update Delays on Mac

Product: Microsoft 365 for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Opening existing files or launching Microsoft Office applications like Word and Excel.
Observed behavior: Office apps repeatedly fail to remember the user's credentials, force a new sign-in process, behave as if unlicensed, and are frequently delayed by background updates.

Before you start

Ensure you know the email address and password for the Microsoft account linked to your active Microsoft 365 subscription, and save any open documents before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Microsoft Credentials from macOS Keychain

Resetting the saved authentication tokens in Keychain Access is the most effective way to fix persistent login loops caused by corrupted or blocked credentials.

On macOS, Microsoft Office stores your active session token in the system Keychain. If privacy permissions change, or if you recently migrated to a new Mac, Office may fail to retrieve this token silently, forcing a recurring login prompt.

Close all Office applications

Quit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and any other open Microsoft 365 applications completely.

Open Keychain Access

Launch the Keychain Access app from your Mac's Applications > Utilities folder, or search for it using Spotlight.

Search for Microsoft entries

In the Keychain Access search bar, look for 'Microsoft Office', 'MSAL', 'ADAL', and 'com.microsoft'.

Delete the credentials

Select the Microsoft-related entries, right-click them, and choose 'Delete'. Be careful to only delete entries specifically related to Microsoft.

Restart and sign in

Restart your Mac. Open Excel or Word and sign in once. When macOS prompts you to grant Keychain access to the app, select 'Always Allow'.

Clear Microsoft Credentials from macOS Keychain

Keychain Access Prompt: Selecting 'Always Allow' ensures macOS doesn't block Office from verifying your license in the background during future launches.

Solution 2

Configure Microsoft AutoUpdate Settings

Adjusting AutoUpdate preferences prevents Microsoft apps from delaying your workflow with unexpected background update checks.

Solution 3

Sign Out and Refresh Office Credentials

If you are logged into multiple Apple or Microsoft accounts, signing out of all of them can resolve background account conflicts.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Tired of Microsoft 365 Login Loops? Try WPS Office for Mac

If Microsoft Office continues to frustrate you with recurring sign-in prompts, licensing errors, and update delays on macOS, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, hassle-free experience without complex subscription validations.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
2. Install and Open: Drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder and launch the app.
3. Edit Files Instantly: Open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files immediately without dealing with frustrating licensing prompts.

No forced recurring login loops to edit your local filesFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsFree to download and use with a highly lightweight installation packageFamiliar user interface makes transitioning from Microsoft 365 seamless

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft 365 keep asking me to sign in on Mac?

Office apps must periodically validate your subscription. If the local license token stored in your macOS Keychain is missing, corrupted, or blocked by system privacy permissions, Office assumes you are unlicensed and forces a new sign-in.

Will deleting Keychain entries delete my Office files?

No. Deleting 'MSAL', 'ADAL', and 'Microsoft Office' entries in Keychain Access only removes your saved login credentials. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations remain completely safe on your local drive or cloud storage.

Can I completely disable Microsoft AutoUpdate on Mac?

You can disable automatic update checks by opening Microsoft AutoUpdate from the 'Help' menu, navigating to Preferences, and clearing the 'Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date' checkbox. You will then need to update your apps manually.

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