Fix Word and PowerPoint Signing Out After Mac Restart
Question details
Users are repeatedly required to sign in to Microsoft Word and PowerPoint on macOS every time the computer restarts or is shut down.
- Product
- Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Launching Microsoft Office applications after shutting down or restarting the Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The applications fail to retain user credentials, forcing a manual sign-in process upon every system restart.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials handy and save any open documents before proceeding with license resets or reinstallations.
Remove and Replace Office License Files
Clearing corrupted license files often resolves persistent sign-in prompts on Mac, especially for Office version 16.54.
This method clears the activation data that may have become corrupted, allowing Office to properly save your sign-in credentials in the Mac Keychain.
Open Word, click 'Word' in the top menu bar, and select 'About Word'. Check if you are running version 16.54 or a similar build.
Go to the official Microsoft support site and download the Office License Removal Tool for Mac.
Open the downloaded .pkg file, follow the prompts to remove the licenses, and then restart your Mac.
Launch Word or PowerPoint and sign in with your Microsoft account to re-activate the license and save your credentials.
Completely Uninstall and Reinstall Office
If you downloaded Office from the Mac App Store and resetting licenses fails, a clean installation is required.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Mac Sign-in Glitches
Tired of dealing with constant sign-in prompts and license errors? WPS Office offers a seamless, lightweight, and free alternative to Microsoft Office that works flawlessly on macOS without persistent credential issues.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version.
- 2. Install and Launch: Drag the WPS app into your Applications folder and open it to create a free account.
- 3. Open Your Files: Open any existing Word or PowerPoint documents directly in WPS Office seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Office keep asking me to sign in on my Mac?
This usually happens when the Mac Keychain fails to store your Office credentials correctly, or when the Office license files on your system become corrupted or outdated.
Will using the license removal tool delete my Word documents?
No. The license removal tool only clears the activation and credential data for Microsoft Office. Your personal files, documents, and presentations will remain completely safe and untouched.
Does this sign-out issue happen with Mac App Store versions of Office?
Yes, it frequently affects App Store installations. If the standard license removal tool doesn't work, you may need to perform a complete clean uninstall, clear the Mac Library container files, and reinstall the apps.
