error code is: 0x8000FFFF

Question

Since yesterday I have not been able to authenticate my personal Office 21 (excel version 16.66.1) documents as usual in order to save them. The first initial error code I encountered was 0x0.

I reinstalled Office 21 (excel version 16.109), and changed my settings to use that version. I am still not able to authenticate. The new error code is 0x8000FFFF.

I notice that when I have a previously saved file open and am asked if I want to authenticate, it only refers to Office 365. I had Office 365 years ago, but do not now.

How do I get my Office 21 files authenticated again???

Answer 1

The error code 0x8000FFFF typically indicates a problem with the authentication process in Microsoft Office applications. Here are some steps you can take to try to resolve the issue:

1. Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure that you have a stable internet connection, as authentication requires access to Microsoft servers.
2. Update Office: Make sure that your Office installation is fully updated. Sometimes, bugs in earlier versions can cause authentication issues. You can check for updates in the Office application settings.
3. Repair Office: You can try repairing your Office installation. Go to the Control Panel, select "Programs and Features," find Microsoft Office in the list, and choose the repair option.
4. Clear Credentials: Sometimes, clearing stored credentials can help. Go to the Windows Credential Manager and remove any stored credentials related to Microsoft Office.
5. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings: Ensure that your firewall or antivirus software is not blocking Office applications from connecting to the internet. You may need to add exceptions for Office apps.
6. Reinstall Office: If the problem persists, consider uninstalling Office completely and then reinstalling it to ensure that all components are correctly installed.
7. Contact Support: If none of the above steps work, you may need to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance, especially since you mentioned issues with authentication related to Office 365, which may still be affecting your Office 21 installation.

These steps should help you troubleshoot and potentially resolve the authentication issue with your Office 21 files.

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References:

• Connection issues when signing in after updating to Office 2016 build 16.0.7967 on Windows 10