Unable to install Microsoft Office Updates on MacBook Air

Molly Springmann 0 Reputation points
2026-09-02T21:31:48.3366667+00:00

Recently, I am unable to save documents in Word and Excel. It says my my license is not activated. When I log in to Microsoft 365, it says I paid my subscription. I clicked activate and got the code 0x0. I read that I need to install updates on Microsoft. When I went to do that, I got another. I downloaded a newer AutoUpdate. Then I tried to update using that and got the error saying "some apps have encountered errors.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | MacOS
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  1. Estrella721 45,820 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-02T22:09:10.23+00:00

    Hi,

    This error in Office for Mac is a known issue that has been resolved through updates. See: https://support.microsoft.com/support/known-issues/unknown-error-0x0-license-not-found-error-microsoft365-macos

    Is your Mac running macOS 12 or later? Please make sure your device and Office apps are fully updated.

    Could you also let me know which version of macOS you are currently using (for example, Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14, or Sequoia 15)?

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-02T21:31:59.64+00:00

    For the 0x0 activation error on Mac, the supported first step is to update Office and confirm the Mac meets the minimum requirement.

    1. Verify the Mac is running macOS 12 or later.
    2. Close all Office apps.
    3. Open Microsoft AutoUpdate from Finder > Applications > Microsoft AutoUpdate.
      • If it is not there, check /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0/.
    4. In Microsoft AutoUpdate, select Update All or update each Office app individually.
    5. After updates finish, open Word or Excel and test activation again.

    A second supported update path is:

    1. Open any Office app such as Word or Excel.
    2. In the menu bar, select Help > Check for Updates.
    3. In Microsoft AutoUpdate, select Update or Update All.
    4. Restart the app after the update.

    If Office still will not let documents be edited or saved after updating:

    1. Quit the app completely with Command + Q.
    2. Reopen the app.
    3. Go to the app’s Account settings.
    4. Sign out, then sign in again with the Microsoft account that has the subscription.

    If the apps were installed from the App Store instead of Microsoft directly, update them through the App Store > Updates and select Update next to each Microsoft app.

    Important limitation:

    • If this is Office 2019 for Mac, it can no longer be updated to the required version, and updating or reinstalling Office 2019 will not resolve this activation problem.
    • The minimum app version listed for Mac is 16.83 on macOS 12 (Monterey) or later.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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