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How to Fix OneNote on Mac Stuck on Another Microsoft Account
Question details
The user is unable to sign in to OneNote because the application continues to prompt for another person's Microsoft account credentials without offering an option to switch accounts.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to sign in to OneNote on a Mac with a different or new Microsoft account.
- Observed behavior
- OneNote persistently requests the credentials of a previous user's account, even after clearing passwords from the Mac Keychain, and shows no visible button to enter a different email address.
Ensure you know the email and password for the correct Microsoft account you intend to use. Close all open Microsoft Office applications on your Mac to prevent conflicts during the reset process.
Use the Microsoft Office License Removal Tool
Using the official License Removal Tool is the most effective way to clear deeply cached account data that Keychain Access alone cannot resolve.
Sometimes, Microsoft Office applications on Mac cache license and account information in hidden system files. When this happens, simply deleting passwords from Keychain Access is not enough. The official Office License Removal Tool safely clears this hidden data so you can start fresh.
Visit the official Microsoft Support website and download the 'Office License Removal Tool for Mac'.
Open the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen prompts to completely remove all stored Office license files from your Mac.
Open 'Keychain Access' from your Mac's Utilities folder. Search for 'Microsoft' and 'Office', then delete any leftover credential entries associated with the old account.
Restart your Mac, then open OneNote. You should now be greeted with a fresh login screen where you can enter the correct Microsoft account credentials.
Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience on Mac
If you are tired of dealing with stubborn account caches and complex licensing tools, WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative for Mac users. Enjoy seamless document creation without getting locked out of your workspace.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package designed for Mac.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files Seamlessly: Launch WPS Office and instantly open or edit your existing Microsoft Office files without worrying about account activation loops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneNote keep asking for an old account password on Mac?
This occurs because Mac's Keychain or Office's hidden licensing files hold onto the previous user's cached credentials. Clearing just the Keychain is sometimes insufficient, which is why the Microsoft License Removal Tool is required to fully reset the login state.
Will using the License Removal Tool delete my OneNote notebooks?
No. The tool only removes the activation and credential files stored locally on your Mac. Your actual notebooks are synced and stored safely in your Microsoft OneDrive account.
How do I manually switch accounts in OneNote for Mac?
Normally, you can click on your profile picture or name in the bottom left corner of the OneNote application, select 'Sign Out', and then sign back in with a different account. If the interface is frozen or this option is missing, you must use the License Removal Tool.
