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How to Fix Microsoft 365 Help Tab Links That Are Unavailable
Question details
Users are unable to access the Help, Contact Support, Feedback, Training, and What's New links in Microsoft 365.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Accessing help and support resources within the Microsoft 365 application interface.
- Observed behavior
- Help tab links fail to load and return a network error despite the device having an active internet connection.
Ensure your computer has a stable internet connection and that no third-party antivirus or firewall software is temporarily blocking Microsoft 365's network access.
Enable All Connected Experiences in Trust Center
Turning on connected experiences allows Office applications to access online help features and cloud-based services.
Microsoft 365 relies on connected experiences to fetch online help content. If privacy settings restrict these connections, the Help tab will display a network error.
Open any Office application (such as Word or Excel), click on 'File' in the top left corner, and then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Options window, click on 'Trust Center' in the left-hand pane, and then click the 'Trust Center Settings' button on the right.
Click on 'Privacy Options' from the left menu, and then click the 'Privacy Settings' button.
Scroll down to the 'Connected Experiences' section, check the box next to 'Turn on all connected experiences', and click 'OK' to save your changes.
Close and reopen your Microsoft 365 applications to apply the new settings, then test the Help tab links again.
Install the Latest Windows Feature Experience Pack
Updating the Windows Feature Experience Pack ensures full compatibility with the latest Office online components.
Repair Microsoft 365 Installation
Running an Office repair can fix corrupted installation files that might be preventing help links from functioning properly.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
If you frequently encounter frustrating network errors or bugs in Microsoft 365, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with intuitive built-in help that does not require complex Trust Center configurations.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Microsoft 365 Help links show a network error when my internet works?
This usually happens because 'Connected Experiences' are disabled in your Office Trust Center settings. This setting blocks the application from communicating with Microsoft's cloud servers, causing a network error for help resources even if your general internet is working.
Will an Online Repair delete my Word documents or Excel files?
No, repairing Microsoft 365 only reinstalls and fixes the application program files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations will remain completely safe and unaffected on your hard drive.
Where can I find the Trust Center in Microsoft 365?
You can access the Trust Center by opening any Office application like Word or Excel, clicking on 'File', selecting 'Options', and then choosing 'Trust Center' from the left-hand navigation menu.
