What is error code: 49

Question

Microsoft Word and the productivity software aren't working.

Answer 1

Error code 49 with “Couldn’t Update license” means the Office apps could not refresh the Microsoft 365 license; sign out of Office completely, remove its cached credentials, and sign back in with the account that owns the subscription.^1^

Refresh the account and license

1. Check which account owns Microsoft 365:
   • Open the Microsoft Services & subscriptions page.
   • Sign in and confirm that Microsoft 365 is listed as active. Office must use the account associated with that subscription.^2^
2. In Word, select File → Account.
   • Sign out of every account shown.
   • Close Word, Excel, Outlook, and all other Office apps.
3. Clear the saved Office credentials:
   • Press Windows key + R.
   • Enter control keymgr.dll and select OK.
   • Under Windows Credentials, remove entries related to Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365.
   • Do not remove unrelated credentials.
4. Restart Windows.
5. Open Word and sign in with the account confirmed in step 1.
   • Go to File → Account → Update License.
   • If successful, Office prompts you to restart the open Microsoft 365 apps.
   • After restarting, check File → Account → Product Information for the licensed product.^3^

If error 49 remains

Run Microsoft’s activation troubleshooter on this Windows 11 computer:

1. Open the Microsoft activation-error support page.
2. Under Microsoft 365: Use the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter, start the troubleshooter.
3. Allow it to open the Get Help app and complete the prompts.^2^

Also check Settings → Time & language → Date & time and enable Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically. Incorrect Windows time settings can prevent activation.^2^

Repair Office if activation troubleshooting does not fix it

1. Right-click Start → Installed apps.
2. Find Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office.
3. Select the three dots → Modify.
4. Choose Online Repair → Repair.
5. Restart Windows, open Word, and sign in again.

Online Repair repairs the entire Office suite, not only Word.^4^

If more than one Office version appears under Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features, uninstall the version you no longer use, restart, and retry activation; multiple Office installations can conflict.^2^

If the subscription is active and error 49 persists after these steps, contact Microsoft Support and provide the full “Couldn’t Update license — Error Code: 49” message.

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References

1. Unable to activate Office 365 apps following recent product updates - Microsoft Q&A
2. Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office | Microsoft Support
3. Update License button in Microsoft 365 apps | Microsoft Support
4. Repair an Office application