Microsoft 365 does not activate on MAC

Question

Whenever I open a page for editing or creating, I am asked to activate Microsoft 365 to create and edit. I do have a Microsoft 365 subscription active and never had this issue before. How do I resolve this issue?

Answer 1

Try these steps in order on the Mac:

1. Quit all Office apps.
   • For example in Word, select Word > Quit Word.
2. Reopen an Office app.
   • If this was a one-time prompt, restarting the app can clear the activation message.
3. Reset the Office credentials in Keychain.
   • Open Spotlight.
   • Search for and open Keychain or Keychain Access.
   • Search for Office.
   • Delete the Office data license file.
4. Run the Microsoft 365 Activation troubleshooter.
   • This is listed as a step for activation problems on Office for Mac.
5. If Office still keeps asking to activate, remove the existing Office license files and reactivate.
   • Run the License Removal Tool.
   • Restart the Mac.
   • Open any Microsoft 365 app and sign in again with the Microsoft account that has the active subscription.
6. If the Mac was offline for an extended period, reconnect it to the internet and open Office again.
   • Office for Mac activates by contacting the Office Licensing Service online.
   • If the device cannot contact the service after 30 days, Office can go into reduced functionality mode, where documents can be opened, viewed, and printed but not created or edited.
7. If the issue started after Office had already been activated, also clear these Keychain items:
   • Microsoft Office Identities Cache 3
   • Microsoft Office Identities Settings 3
   • Microsoft Office Ticket Cache
   • Then restart the Mac and open an Office app to reactivate.
   • Note: deleting these items requires local admin privileges.

If the problem continues, use the Office for Mac activation troubleshooting page for the specific symptom “Activated but still prompted to activate” or contact Microsoft support.

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References:

• What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac | Microsoft Support
• [Activation](https://support.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-activation-licensing/what-to-try-if-you-can-t-install-or-activate-office-for-mac)
• Overview of activation for Office for Mac
• Activate Office for Mac | Microsoft Support