Paid my annual subscription on 2/3/26 but you list my subscription as expired

Question

I paid my annual subscription on 2/3/26 as listed on our credit card statement "Microsoft yearly plan 888bestbuy MN" $107.61

I have been renewing my subscription for years in this manner.

You list my subscription as expired and I cannot use my WORD program.

Please update my subscription information so I can use it.

My phone: (PII removed)

Email as above

Answer 1

Hello

Looks like your subscription is via Best Buy.

In this case, you need to contact Best Buy support. Microsoft explains how subscription purchased via 3rd party is managed here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/manage-your-microsoft-365-subscription-purchased-through-a-third-party-44749f45-4c0b-5d41-a73f-7634b8d2a763

Answer 2

The subscription shows as expired because the Microsoft 365 license in the Microsoft account is not currently active, even though the charge appears on the credit card. This often happens when:

• The subscription was renewed through a retailer (such as Best Buy) but the product key from that purchase has not been redeemed to the Microsoft account, or
• The subscription is associated with a different Microsoft account than the one used to sign in to Word.

Use these steps to restore access:

1. Verify the subscription status
   1. Close all Office apps (Word, Excel, etc.).
   2. Go to the Services & subscriptions / Subscriptions page at the Microsoft account site and sign in with the Microsoft account used for Word.
   3. Check under the Microsoft 365 heading that the subscription is listed as active and confirm the expiration date.
   4. If it shows as expired, follow the on-screen option to renew, or use the product key from the Best Buy purchase if that is how it was sold. For help with renewing, see the guidance in "Renew Microsoft 365 for home" linked from the subscription notice article.
2. If a subscription notice still appears in Word after confirming renewal
   1. Close all Office applications.
   2. Reopen Word.
   3. If a yellow bar appears with RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION or SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRED, choose Reactivate or Buy, then sign in with the Microsoft account that has the active subscription, or select Enter Key if a new, unused product key from the retailer must be entered.
   4. After renewing or entering the key, close Word again and reopen it to clear the message.
3. If the subscription is active online but Word still shows it as expired
   1. In Word, go to File > Account.
   2. Use the account options there to sign out, then sign back in with the Microsoft account that shows the active Microsoft 365 subscription.
   3. Use the Update license or similar option (if shown) to refresh the activation.
4. If the subscription was purchased from a third-party retailer
   • If the Services & subscriptions page does not show an active Microsoft 365 subscription but the Best Buy charge is present on the credit card, the subscription may be managed through that retailer. In that case, either:
     • Redeem the product key or follow the link provided by the retailer (box, card, or email receipt), or
     • Contact the retailer if there is no key or the key has already been used on a different account.
5. If the subscription should be active but still appears expired
   • Check the renewal status and expiration date online as above.
   • If the expiration date is not correct or the renewal does not appear, contact Microsoft Support directly from the support/contact options described in the subscription notice article. Support can review the account and payment status and correct the subscription state.

Until the subscription is recognized as active, Office will eventually run in reduced functionality mode, where documents can be opened and printed but not edited. As a temporary workaround, Office Online at Office.com can be used for free in a web browser.

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References:

• Problems renewing a Microsoft 365 subscription
• A subscription notice appears when I open a Microsoft 365 application
• Office error "Account Notice: We've run into a problem with your Microsoft 365 subscription"
• End of support for Money in Excel, Wolfram data types, and Partner offers
• Changes to Microsoft 365 email features and storage
• When opening Word or Excel, getting a 'subscription canceled' message but I have renewed my Office subscription - Microsoft Q&A
• Can I speak to someone? -- Billing issues - Microsoft Q&A
• Cancellation - Microsoft Q&A