copilot not working

Question

copilot used to work in Word, but does not, even though i recently upgraded to copilot premium

I cannot find anywhere to enable copilot. I looked through "options" and did not see anything.

Answer 1

Copilot in Word does not need to be enabled as an add-in; it is built into the app and depends on license, app version, and privacy settings. Since it used to work and you upgraded to Copilot Premium, focus on confirming the right account, updating Office, refreshing the license, and checking privacy settings.

1. Confirm the correct account and license
   Make sure Word is signed in with the account that has Copilot Premium (or a Copilot-enabled Microsoft 365 subscription).
   • Open Word.
   • Check the account shown at the top of the window or under File > Account.
   • For home users, Copilot requires Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium, or Copilot Pro; for business users, a supported Microsoft 365 plan plus Microsoft 365 Copilot.
2. Update Word to the latest build
   Copilot features rely on the latest Microsoft 365 app versions.
   • In Word (Windows): go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
   • On Mac: follow the steps in Update Office for Mac automatically.
3. Refresh your Copilot license in the apps
   After upgrading to Copilot Premium, Word may need a license refresh.
   • Windows:
     1. Open Word.
     2. Go to File > Account.
     3. Select Update License.
     4. Close Word and any other Microsoft 365 apps, then reopen them.
   • Mac:
     1. Open Word.
     2. In the menu bar at the top, select Word.
     3. Choose About Word.
     4. Select More Info….
     5. Click Refresh License.
     6. Close all Microsoft 365 apps and reopen them.
4. Check privacy / connected experiences settings
   If these are off, Copilot can disappear from Word.
   • Windows:
     1. Open Word.
     2. Go to File > Account.
     3. Under Account Privacy, select Manage Settings.
     4. Turn on Experiences that analyze your content.
     5. Scroll down and turn on All connected experiences.
   • Mac:
     1. Open Word.
     2. Select Word > Preferences > Privacy.
     3. Turn on Experiences that analyze your content.
     4. Turn on All connected experiences.
5. Check where Copilot appears in Word
   Copilot is accessed from the Home tab or sidebar, not from traditional “Options” dialogs.
   • Open Word and sign in with your Copilot-enabled account.
   • Look for the Copilot button in the Home tab or in the Copilot sidebar.
   • For “Edit with Copilot” (Premium feature), open Word, then select Tools > Edit with Copilot in the Copilot prompt box when available.
6. If Copilot still does not appear
   • For home users: after checking account, updates, license refresh, and privacy settings, contact Support using the link in the license validation article if issues persist.
   • For business users: ask the Microsoft 365 admin to confirm that a Microsoft 365 Copilot license is active and that the device is on a supported update channel (Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel, not Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel).

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References:

• How to find and enable missing Copilot button in Microsoft 365 apps
• I am getting license validation errors with Copilot
• Edit with Copilot in Word
• Microsoft 365 Copilot overview
• Frequently asked questions about Copilot in Microsoft 365 subscriptions
• I lost the Copilot service in my M365 office apps - Microsoft Q&A
• Copilot Disappeared from Word - Microsoft Q&A
• How to fix copilot issue. - Microsoft Q&A
• I don't see the Copilot icon in the Home ribbon - Microsoft Q&A
• copilot quit, why - Microsoft Q&A