Office on macOS couldn't refresh license error code 44

Question

Microsoft Office was working fine, now I cannot refresh the license and keep getting error code 44

Answer 1

Error 44 indicates the Office apps cannot find your Office licence.

Use the process on this link to remove the Office licence, then try logging into the Office apps again to test if your licence is correctly recognized.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-activation-licensing/how-to-remove-office-license-files-on-a-mac

If that does not resolve the problem, log into your Microsoft account on this link, is your Office licence listed correctly there, or if that is a subscription, check the expiry date listed on your subscription, is that listed correctly.

https://account.microsoft.com/services/

Answer 2

Error code 44 in Microsoft 365 apps usually means the app is signed in with an account different from the one that owns the license.

Try this in order:

1. Close all Office apps.
2. Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
3. Go to File > Account > Update License.
4. When prompted, sign in with the account that has the Microsoft 365 subscription.
   • For home use, that is the Microsoft account tied to the Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription.
5. If already signed in, sign out and then sign in again with the correct account. If needed, choose Sign in with another account.
6. Restart the Office apps after the sign-in completes.

If the license still does not refresh:

1. Verify the licensed account:
   • Sign in to https://account.microsoft.com/services.
   • Select Install Microsoft 365 or Office.
   • If a license is listed there, that is the correct account to use for activation.
2. Make sure the Mac is on macOS 12 or later.
3. Update Office:
   • Open Finder > Applications > Microsoft AutoUpdate.
   • Select Update All.
   • If Office was installed from the App Store, open App Store > Updates and update the Office apps there.
4. Test the app again.

If the problem continues, reset the local Office license files:

1. Run the official license removal tool.
2. Important: have the correct account ready before doing this, because Office will need to be activated again.
3. After the tool finishes, open an Office app and sign in with the licensed account.
4. Restart the Mac after activation succeeds.

If Outlook specifically shows No license found, and this is a work or school account, the license may not be assigned yet and the organization’s admin or tech support needs to check that.

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