Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Cached Credentials Have Expired in Microsoft Office for Mac

Elise Williams Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is encountering a credential expiration error when trying to use Microsoft Office applications on a Mac, which prevents them from accessing or syncing their files properly.

How to Fix Cached Credentials Have Expired in Microsoft Office for Mac

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to open, use, or sign into Microsoft Office applications on a macOS device.
Observed behavior: A prompt appears stating 'Cached Credentials Have Expired', requiring the user to resolve the authentication issue before they can continue using the software.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you remember your Microsoft account email and password, as you will need to sign back into your Office applications. Please save any open work to avoid data loss before restarting your Mac.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Keychain Access and Remove Office License Files

This is the most effective method to resolve authentication errors by completely resetting your stored login data for Office on your Mac.

The 'Cached Credentials Have Expired' error typically occurs when the login token stored in your Mac's Keychain becomes invalid, corrupted, or out of sync with Microsoft's servers. Clearing these outdated credentials forces Office to generate a fresh, valid authentication token.

Sign out and quit Office

Open any Microsoft Office application, sign out of your account, and then completely quit all open Office applications.

Open Keychain Access

Open Finder, navigate to Applications > Utilities, and double-click to open Keychain Access.

Delete Office identities

Search for 'Microsoft Office' in the Keychain Access search bar and delete all related identities and cached credentials.

Run license removal tool

Download and run the official Microsoft License Removal Tool for Mac to clear out any old or corrupted license files.

Restart and sign in

Restart your Mac, open an Office application like Word or Excel, and sign in again with your Microsoft account credentials.

Clear Keychain Access and Remove Office License Files

Admin Privileges Required: You will likely need to enter your Mac administrator password to delete entries in Keychain Access and to install the license removal tool.

Solution 2

Identify Third-Party Conflicts using Safe Mode

Use this method if the issue persists after clearing credentials, as third-party software might be interfering with Office authentication.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac to Avoid Credential Errors

If you are tired of dealing with subscription verifications and expired credentials, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that doesn't rely on complex background licensing services.

1. Visit the website: Go to the official WPS Office website.
2. Download the installer: Click 'Free Download' to get the Mac installation package.
3. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
4. Start creating: Launch WPS Office and start creating or editing your documents immediately without complex sign-in hurdles.

Free to use with a familiar, user-friendly interface tailored for Mac.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Lightweight app design that won't overwhelm your Mac's resources.No complicated license removal tools or frequent credential expirations.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Office say my cached credentials have expired?

This happens when the security token stored on your Mac's Keychain for Microsoft Office becomes outdated, corrupted, or out of sync with Microsoft's servers, requiring you to clear it and re-authenticate.

Will clearing my keychain delete my Microsoft documents?

No, clearing your Microsoft Office identities from Keychain Access only removes the saved login information on your device. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations will remain completely unaffected.

Where can I find the Microsoft license removal tool?

You can download the license removal tool directly from the official Microsoft Support website. It is specifically designed to safely and completely remove Office license files on a Mac.

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