Copilot button grayed out

Question

The button is there in Word, but totally unresponsive. How do I fix this since this is a brand new install?

Answer 1

Follow these steps to troubleshoot a grayed-out or unresponsive Copilot button in Word after a new install:

1. Confirm the correct account and license
   • Copilot only works if the signed-in account has a supported Copilot license.
   • In Word, check the account at the top-right of the window and ensure it is:
     • For home use: Microsoft 365 Personal or Family with Copilot Pro.
     • For business use: Microsoft 365 Business Basic/Standard/Premium, E3, E5, F1, or F3 plus a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
   • If the wrong account is signed in, sign out and sign in with the licensed account.
2. Make sure Word is fully updated
   • Copilot requires a current build of Microsoft 365 Apps.
   • On Windows: go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now (see Install Office updates).
   • On Mac: update using the steps in Update Office for Mac automatically.
3. Refresh the Office/Copilot license
   • On Windows:
     1. Open Word.
     2. Go to File > Account.
     3. Select Update License.
     4. Close all Office apps and reopen Word.
   • On Mac:
     1. In Word, select Word > About Word.
     2. Select More Info….
     3. Select Refresh License.
     4. Close all Microsoft 365 apps and reopen Word.
4. Check privacy settings (can block Copilot)
   • On Windows:
     1. In Word, go to File > Account.
     2. Under Account Privacy, select Manage Settings.
     3. Turn on Experiences that analyze your content and All connected experiences.
   • On Mac:
     1. In Word, go to Word > Preferences > Privacy.
     2. Turn on Experiences that analyze your content.
     3. Scroll down and turn on All connected experiences.
   • Restart Word after changing these settings.
5. Verify update channel (business devices, Windows)
   • If this is a business device and Microsoft 365 Apps are on Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, Copilot features will not be available.
   • Check the channel:
     1. Open Word.
     2. Go to File > Account.
     3. In Product Information, look for the update channel name. If it shows Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, Copilot will be unavailable.
   • Contact the internal help desk or IT admin to move the device to Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel so Copilot can work. Web versions of the apps can be used in the meantime.
6. Allow time for new license propagation
   • For a brand-new install or newly assigned Copilot license, it can take some time before Copilot becomes fully active. After completing the steps above, sign out of Office, sign back in, and wait a bit before trying again.

If Copilot remains grayed out after these steps, an admin should verify that Copilot is not blocked by organizational policies and that the correct Copilot license is assigned.

---

References:

• How to find and enable missing Copilot button in Microsoft 365 apps
• Copilot is missing, disabled, or doesn't work correctly
• Frequently asked questions about Copilot in PowerPoint