Cannot update Microsoft 365 license error code 29

Question

After upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, Word (as part of Microsoft 365) runs in read-only mode due to licensing issues. I have followed numerous recommendations for addressing this. I completely uninstalled 365, deleted old Office registry keys, and removed old Office folders (Program Files, Program Files (x86), ProgramData, AppData\Local, and AppData\Roaming). I downloaded and ran OfficeSetup from the page where my valid Microsoft 365 license is shown. I rebooted the system. Then, instead of getting a generic error, I started getting "error 29" when trying to activate Word. I have followed further instructions specific to this error code (removing cached credentials in %appdata%\Local\Microsoft\Credentials and OneAuth, and in Credential Manager, and rebooting) and yet I still cannot activate Word. I don't know what else to try.

Answer 1

To resolve the "error code 29" when trying to activate Microsoft 365 after upgrading to Windows 11, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Ensure Correct Version of Office: Verify that you have the correct version of Microsoft 365 installed. If you are using a Work or School account, ensure that a license is assigned to you. If you have Microsoft 365 for Business Basic, note that it does not include Office desktop applications, and you will need to use Microsoft 365 Online apps instead.
2. Check Bit Version Compatibility: Make sure that the bit version of Office (32-bit or 64-bit) matches your version of Windows. You can check this in the settings of your Windows operating system.
3. Clear Cached Credentials: Since you mentioned you have already removed cached credentials, ensure that you have completely cleared them from the Credential Manager in Windows. Sometimes remnants can cause issues.
4. Run Microsoft 365 Activation Troubleshooter: Use the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter to help resolve activation issues. This can be accessed through the Get Help app in Windows. Follow the prompts to diagnose and fix the problem.
5. Repair Microsoft 365: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, consider running a repair on Microsoft 365. You can do this through the Control Panel under Programs and Features.
6. Contact Microsoft Support: If none of the above solutions work, it may be necessary to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance, especially if the issue persists after trying all recommended steps.

Following these steps should help you address the activation issue with Microsoft 365 on Windows 11.

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References:

• Microsoft 365 Apps activation error: "You currently have not been assigned an office license that includes the Office desktop apps"
• Microsoft 365 Apps activation error: "The products we found in your account can't be used to activate"
• Microsoft 365 Apps activation error: "There's a problem with your account"

Answer 2

Hello! Maybe when you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11, you encountered a problem with your account.

Try two things:

Unlink your account

Unlink your Windows account, and then link it again. This may help resolve synchronization errors.

• First, check if your device appears at https://account.microsoft.com/devices

1. Open Windows Settings > Accounts > Your info > Under Microsoft account, click Sign in as a local account.
2. Click Next > Enter your daughter's email or Windows login password.
3. Enter your user information > Next > Sign out and finish.
4. After unlinking your email account from Windows, restart your PC > When it starts, relink your email account.

Create New User

First, try to create a user profile. Maybe your user is corrupted. Create a user to confirm whether the issue is in your current user profile or system. Follow the steps below:

1. Go to System Settings (CTRL + I) > Select ''Accounts'' > 'Family and other users'' > ''Add another person to this PC'.
2. On the Accounts screen, choose the option ''I don’t have that person’s login information' > Then select ''Add a user without a Microsoft account''.
3. Click on the newly created user > Click "Change account type" > Under Account Type, change the option "Default User" to "Administrator" > Click "OK".
4. Enter the username, and password (optional, leave blank if you do not want to put password) > Click ''Next'.
5. Press the shortcut CTRL + ALT + DEL (DELETE) > Select ''Exit'' option > On the Login screen, choose the new user created.
6. See if the problem will occur with this new user.

Answer 3

Thanks!

I found a couple systems on the devices page with the same computer name. I deleted them all but now my system isn't being re-added to the list. I've temporarily switched to my Microsoft account (I normally use a local account) and (temporarily) re-enabled data and location sharing, but the system still won't show up. (I also rebooted after making these changes.) I also still get error 29 when trying to update license information for Word. (Clicking on just "Sign in" doesn't bring up any dialog box.)

I created a new local user account, rebooted, and logged in with that account. I still can't get Word to see my subscription license. I get the same error 29.

Any other suggestions?

Answer 4

I re-uninstalled Microsoft 365, made sure all remnants of Office and Office/365 credentials were removed, rebooted, installed Microsoft 365, and I still get the same error 29.

One thing I've noticed (and started seeing at the same time I started seeing error 29) is that although Word says "Sign in to get started with Word" when I start it, nothing happens after I click the blue "Sign in or create account" button. It doesn't bring up another dialog box or give me an error code. When I click on "Account" in the lower left, I see a yellow box that says "Activation Required". It has two buttons--"Activate Product" and "Update License". Clicking on "Activate Product" brings up the same window that I get when I start Word, and clicking on "Sign in or create account" also does nothing, and no error code is printed. However, if I click the "Update License" button, I get a different dialog box--"Sign in to verify your subscription". When I click on the blue "Sign in" button, I immediately get a new dialog box that says "Couldn't update license" along with "Error Code: 29".

Years ago, I remember giving a tool to one of my customers that I got from Microsoft--something called "t" (which I assume means trace). I also got instructions for gathering the information needed to diagnose the problem (it had to do with processing SMB packets). Is there a way to use this "t" tool (or something like it) to diagnose this license problem? The copy of "t" that I have is probably way out of date, so it may not work with Windows 11.