My PC is showing **“Product Activation Required.”** I’m unable to activate my Microsoft license even after signing in with my Microsoft account. Please help me fix this issue.

Hafsa yafai 0 Reputation points
2026-10-07T16:58:19.41+00:00

Hello, I am having an issue with Microsoft license activation on my PC. It is showing “Product Activation Required” and I am unable to activate/use Microsoft Office properly.

I have signed in with my Microsoft account, but the license is still not being recognized/activated. I would like to know whether my Microsoft account has a valid license and how I can activate it on my PC.

Please check my account and device activation status and guide me through the correct steps to resolve this issue.

Thank you.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Windows
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  1. Norah-L 11,435 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-08T01:37:19.1466667+00:00

    Hello Hafsa yafai,

    I understand that Office shows the “Product Activation Required” message even after you signed in with your Microsoft account, and the licence is still not being recognized.

    First please check the AI answer to see if that helps.

    Also, please confirm that the date, time, and time zone on the PC are correct. Then restart the computer. You can also test activation using another Internet connection, such as a mobile hotspot. Temporarily disable any VPN or proxy, and check whether your antivirus or firewall is blocking Office.

    If that does not help, open Credential Manager > Windows Credentials, remove saved entries related to Microsoft Office, restart the PC, and sign in again.

    Then, go to Windows Update > Update history to check whether KB5002907 is installed on your Windows system, as this update may have recently affected Office activation.

    Optional method: If you have a one-time-purchase version of Office and the Activation Wizard provides an Installation ID, you can also try the Microsoft Product Activation Portal. This portal is intended for perpetual Microsoft products that require manual activation, it does not apply to a Microsoft 365 subscription.

    If the issue continues, please let me know which Office version and edition you are using, such as Microsoft 365, Office 2021, or Office 2024.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-07T16:58:37.69+00:00

    Use this activation checklist for a home Microsoft 365 or Office install on Windows:

    1. Confirm the correct account
      • In an Office app, sign in with the account used to buy Microsoft 365 or Office.
      • If the current account does not work, try other personal email addresses that may have been used for the purchase.
      • To verify whether the account is associated with Office, sign in to the Services & subscriptions page. The Microsoft 365 subscription or Office product should appear there. If it does not, that account is not the one linked to the license.
    2. Check whether the subscription is active
      • Close all Microsoft 365 apps.
      • Go to Services & subscriptions.
      • Review the Subscriptions or Cancelled subscriptions section.
      • If the subscription is expired, renew it, then reopen the Office apps.
    3. Remove conflicting Office installs
      • In Windows 10 or Windows 11, open Control Panel.
      • Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
      • Search for office.
      • If more than one Office version is installed, uninstall the version not being used.
      • Restart the PC.
      • Open an Office app and sign in again.
    4. Refresh the license inside Office
      • Open Word or another Office app.
      • Go to Account > Product Information > Update License.
    5. Repair Office if activation still fails
      • After removing extra Office versions, run an online repair for the remaining Office installation as described in Repair an Office application.
    6. Run the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter
      • This is available for Microsoft 365 on Windows PCs.
      • Run it on the same Windows PC where Microsoft 365 is installed.
      • It requires Windows 10 or later.
      • Follow the prompts in Get Help.
    7. If Office came preinstalled on a new PC
      • Activation is done by signing in with the Microsoft account linked to the purchase.
      • A digital product key is transmitted to the PC, so a printed key is not required.
    8. If the error says the products in the account cannot be used to activate a specific app
      • The installed app may not be included in the Office product owned. For example, some editions do not include Outlook, Publisher, or Access.
      • On a new device with Office 2019, updating Office or reinstalling Office 2019 can resolve that specific error.

    A Microsoft personal account or work/school account is required to install and activate Microsoft 365 and Office 2013 or later.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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