Common Office 365 License Issues and Their Solutions

Office 365 is a powerful suite of productivity tools used by individuals, businesses, and educational institutions worldwide. While it offers seamless collaboration and cloud-based convenience, users may occasionally run into license-related problems that disrupt workflow. Whether you’re dealing with activation errors, subscription confusion, or account syncing issues, this guide will walk you through the most common Office 365 license issues and how to fix them.

1. “Unlicensed Product” or “Product Deactivated” Message

Issue:

One of the most common errors users face is seeing messages like “Unlicensed Product”, “Product Deactivated”, or “We can’t find any Office products” when launching Word, Excel, or other apps.

Solution:

• Sign in with the correct account: Ensure you’re signed in with the Microsoft account that was used to purchase or activate Office 365.

• Reactivate Office:

  • Go to any Office app > File > Account > Product Information > Click “Activate Product.”

• Check your subscription status: Visit https://account.microsoft.com/services to verify that your Office 365 subscription is active.

2. Office Shows the Wrong License or User

Issue:

Sometimes Office apps display the wrong user email or license, leading to confusion or restricted access to features.

Solution:

• Switch accounts:

  • In any Office app, go to File > Account > Sign out.

  • Sign back in with the correct Microsoft 365 account.

• Remove unused accounts:

  • Go to Windows Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts, and remove any unused or old accounts.

3. Can’t Install Office Due to License Issues

Issue:

You try to install Office 365 but get messages like “No license found” or “You don't have a license assigned.”

Solution:

• Assign a license (Admins only):

  • Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center > Users > Active users.

  • Select the user and assign the necessary Office 365 license.

• Verify user license: Ask your administrator to confirm your license in the admin portal.

4. Subscription Expired Even After Renewal

Issue:

You’ve renewed your Office 365 subscription, but apps still show the subscription as expired.

Solution:

• Force Office to update:

  • In any Office app, go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.

• Sign out and sign in again: This helps refresh the license from Microsoft’s servers.

• Check system date and time: Incorrect system time can interfere with license verification.

5. Office Activation Limit Reached

Issue:

Office 365 is limited to a certain number of devices per license (usually 5 PCs or Macs, 5 tablets, and 5 smartphones). You may get an error saying “Activation limit reached.”

Solution:

• Deactivate unused devices:

  • Go to https://account.microsoft.com \> Devices.

  • Sign out of Office on devices you no longer use to free up licenses.

6. Office Apps Keep Asking to Sign In

Issue:

Even after signing in, Office apps repeatedly ask for credentials, making the experience frustrating.

Solution:

• Clear credentials:

  • Open Windows Credential Manager > Windows Credentials > Remove any stored Office credentials.

• Check for updates: Ensure Office is updated to the latest version.

• Repair Office:

  • Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Microsoft 365 > Change > Quick Repair or Online Repair.

7. Activation Failed Due to Proxy or Firewall

Issue:

If you’re using Office on a work network, you might face activation issues due to proxy or firewall settings.

Solution:

• Contact your IT admin to ensure that Microsoft’s activation URLs are whitelisted.

• Use a different network (e.g., mobile hotspot) temporarily to activate Office.

Tips to Avoid Future License Issues

• Always keep your Office 365 apps updated.

• Make sure you use a single Microsoft account for purchases and installations.

• Avoid using shared or unauthorized product keys.

• Use reliable sources like Genuinesoftstore if purchasing Office licenses—make sure they offer genuine, lifetime-valid licenses with customer support.

Final Thoughts

Office 365 license issues can be frustrating, but most of them are easily fixable with the right steps. Whether it’s a simple sign-in error or a deeper configuration issue, following the solutions above can help you get back on track quickly. If problems persist, don’t hesitate to contact Microsoft Support or your IT administrator.