Initial set Up problem

Question

Initial set Up problem

Joy Dix 0

When trying to set up Microsoft 365 I get the Error Code: PaymentAuthenticationVerificationFailed

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3 answers

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Answer 1

TaoLi 115.4K Independent Advisor

Thanks for clarifying， I also read your reply to Stefan Blom—the error appears when setting up automatic renewal.

Please try redeeming your purchased key directly at https://microsoft365.com/setup. Sign in with your Microsoft account and enter the key. If the page offers an option to turn off recurring billing, select it and continue.

Once that completes, open Word and sign in with the same account to activate.

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Answer 2

Stefan Blom 354K MVP Volunteer Moderator

I'm trying to activate a product key for a product I already purchased for a new computer.

What are you trying to do, exactly? If you have an existing subscription and you are just trying to install on a new computer, go to your account and install from https://account.microsoft.com/services . The product key isn't needed for this, and in fact, you can't reuse a product key you have already redeemed.

Or are you trying to do something else? For example, are you trying to extend or renew an existing subscription after having purchased a new product (for a one-year prepaid subscription)? In that case, is it the renewal for the same or a different subscription product that you had previously?

Joy Dix 0 Reputation points

2026-09-19T20:13:04.63+00:00

Thanks for trying to help, Stefan, I bought a new laptop and at the same time purchased a one year subscription to Microsoft 365. The computer came with Microsoft 365 already on it but, obviously, needing to be activated. When I clicked on it, it asked did I want to buy a subscription or had I a product key. I clicked on product key. Everything appeared to be going okay until at the end it asked for my card details in order that they could set up a recurring direct debit for the annual subscription. At that point it came back with the error: PaymentAuthenticationVerificationFailed. I double checked that the details I inputted were correct and downloaded the updates to Microsoft 365 in case that was the problem but it still refuses to register and activate the program which I HAVE paid for.
Stefan Blom 354K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-19T23:02:13.9+00:00

I bought a new laptop and at the same time purchased a one year subscription to Microsoft 365. The computer came with Microsoft 365 already on it but, obviously, needing to be activated. When I clicked on it, it asked did I want to buy a subscription or had I a product key. I clicked on product key. Everything appeared to be going okay until at the end it asked for my card details in order that they could set up a recurring direct debit for the annual subscription. At that point it came back with the error: PaymentAuthenticationVerificationFailed. I double checked that the details I inputted were correct and downloaded the updates to Microsoft 365 in case that was the problem but it still refuses to register and activate the program which I HAVE paid for.

There might be a version conflict here. Which type of subscription did you purchase? Was it Microsoft 365 Personal or something else? And which type of product was provided with the PC? It isn't always possible to use a preinstalled version as a starting point when you want to activate a purchased product.

Answer 3

TaoLi 115.4K Independent Advisor

Hi

That error suggests the payment verification hasn’t completed. Are you entering a product key you’ve already purchased, or signing up for a subscription or free trial?

If it happens after entering your card details, first check the card’s expiry date and billing address, then try setup again. You can follow the steps here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/update-a-microsoft-account-payment-method

If it still fails, could you share a screenshot of the page? Please hide your email address, product key and payment details.

Joy Dix 0 Reputation points

2026-09-19T16:43:03.5933333+00:00

Thanks for your response TaoLi. No that hasn't fixed the problem. I already double checked that all the information was correct. I'm trying to activate a product key for a product I already purchased for a new computer.