I cannot get Microsoft 365 working on my MacBook

Mark R Barnes Barnes 20 Reputation points
2026-08-20T11:47:39.3766667+00:00

I have a paid subscription for Microsoft 365 on my MacBook Pro

My operating system is MacOS Big Spur 11.7.11 (currently up to date)

I have tried to activate my subscription and get error 0x0

The previous version of Windows in version 2011. Last update was 2023

Office stopped allowing updates and generating new documents in July as the previous version of windows is no longer supported

I have tried various help feedbacks on others issues but been unable to resolve

I have checked and under my email address I only have one Microsoft 365 payed for license

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For home | MacOS
Answer accepted by question author
paulr0511 48,445 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-20T12:38:27.0666667+00:00

Hello, good day and thanks for your question. Sorry to know about this and I understand that you have encountered an issue with Microsoft 365 apps on your Apple device that is running on macOS Big Sur 11.7.11.

If your device does not support or is not running on macOS 12 (Monterey) or later on your Mac, please take note that Office or Microsoft 365 products will now enter reduced functionality mode in which the OS is too old to receive the licensing update the Office or Microsoft 365 requires and you can also see the support link below from Microsoft with regards to this.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/officeinstall/update-m365-office-macos-ios

The alternatives or options that you have is to either:

  • Use the web version of Microsoft 365.
  • Check and test LibreOffice.
  • Lastly is to cancel your subscription if you have one and if you will not be able to get your device to an up to date version of macOS.

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.

2 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Mark R Barnes Barnes 20 Reputation points
    2026-08-20T11:50:39.6+00:00

    unable to find Microsoft AutoUpdate within my applications

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  2. AI answer

    2026-08-20T11:47:54.44+00:00

    On macOS Big Sur 11.7.11, the 0x0 activation problem matches a known Mac licensing issue reported after the July Office update. Start with these steps:

    1. In Finder, open Applications > Microsoft AutoUpdate and install all available Office updates.
    2. Verify the subscription is on the same Microsoft account used in Office by signing in at https://account.microsoft.com/services. Confirm the Microsoft 365 subscription appears there.
    3. In an Office app, sign out, then sign in again with that same account. If needed, choose Sign in with another account.
    4. If activation still fails, reset the Mac activation credentials:
      • Open Spotlight.
      • Search for and open Keychain.
      • Search for Office.
      • Delete the data license file.
    5. Then run the Microsoft 365 Activation troubleshooter.
    6. If the issue continues, remove the Office license files on the Mac and reactivate.

    Important: the context also indicates that on Big Sur or earlier, Office may be reduced to view-only status. If that is what happened after July, activation may not fully recover on this macOS version.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.