How to fix unlicensed product issue

If Office shows Unlicensed Product, most features are disabled until activation is fixed. For a home Windows setup, use this order:

1. Sign in with the correct Microsoft account
   • Open Word or Excel.
   • If prompted, sign in with the Microsoft account used to buy Microsoft 365 or Office.
   • If the wrong account is used, Office can show “We couldn't find any Office products.”
   • To verify the account, check Services & subscriptions and confirm the product or subscription appears there.
2. Check whether the subscription is active
   • Close all Microsoft 365 apps.
   • Go to Services & subscriptions.
   • Sign in with the Microsoft account tied to the subscription.
   • Under Subscriptions or Cancelled subscriptions, check whether Microsoft 365 is active.
   • If it has expired, renew it, then reopen Word or Excel.
3. Check for multiple Office installations
   • In Windows, open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
   • Search for office.
   • If more than one Office version is installed, uninstall the version not being used.
   • Restart the PC, then open Word or Excel and sign in again.
4. Run Office as administrator
   • Close all Office apps.
   • Select Start, type Word or Excel.
   • Right-click the app and choose Run as administrator.
   • Select Yes.
5. Check date, time, and time zone
   • Close all Office apps.
   • Select the date/time in the lower-right corner of Windows.
   • Open Date and time settings.
   • Turn on Set time automatically and, if available, Set time zone automatically.
   • Reopen Office.
6. Update Office
   • Install the latest Office updates, since updates can include activation fixes.
7. Run the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter
   • Use the Start link for the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter.
   • It runs on the same Windows PC where Microsoft 365 is installed.
   • It requires Windows 10 or higher.
8. Check network/security software if activation still fails
   • Firewall, antivirus, or proxy settings can block activation.
   • If needed, temporarily disable the firewall or antivirus using the vendor’s instructions, then turn it back on afterward.
   • In Windows proxy settings: Settings > Network & internet > Proxy and review whether a proxy is enabled.

If a yellow bar says “ACCOUNT NOTICE. We've run into a problem with your Microsoft 365 subscription and need your help to fix it.”, that is often caused by a subscription payment problem such as an expired or cancelled card.

If nothing is done, Office can enter reduced functionality mode: documents can still be opened and printed, but not edited or newly created.

• Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office
• A subscription notice appears when I open a Microsoft 365 application