microsoft office home and student 2016 stopped working

Scott Grapevine 5 Reputation points
2026-09-24T13:42:27.17+00:00

I'm getting a message that i need to activate Microsoft Office Home and Student 2016 but I have a office access key and have been using it for years. What is causing this?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows
0 comments No comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Stefan Blom 353.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-25T23:42:14.84+00:00

    This issue is being investigated by Microsoft. No details have been made public yet, though.

    One piece of information that might help is if you clarify which version of Windows you are running.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments

  2. Sumit 44,436 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-25T02:02:50.89+00:00

    It should have linked to any account.

    I see that you have a key. What happens when you try to use the same?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments

  3. Sumit 44,436 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-24T14:18:53.3233333+00:00

    Hi,

    Did you not link it to the Microsoft account? Check at https://account.microsoft.com/services page and let me know.

    Was this answer helpful?


Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.