Processes in Microsoft 365 for setting up Office apps, redeeming product keys, and activating licenses.
Try these steps in order:
- In any Office app, go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
- If Update Now is not shown, select Enable Updates first.
- Wait until Office finishes checking and installing updates.
- If the app opens but shows Product Deactivated, select Reactivate and sign in when prompted.
- If that does not work, sign out of all Microsoft 365 apps, including Outlook, close them, restart an Office app, and sign in again.
- Check whether a proxy setting is blocking activation:
- Open Start > Settings > Network & internet > Proxy.
- In Automatic proxy setup, review whether automatic detection or a setup script is enabled.
- In Manual proxy setup, make sure a proxy server is not enabled unless it is required.
- If the device is used for both home and work, proxy settings can affect Microsoft 365 installation and activation.
- Repair Office:
- Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
- Right-click Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 and select Repair or Change.
- Follow the prompts.
- In Windows 11, app repair is also available from Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features > app Advanced options > Repair.
- If the apps still fail to start or show a stopped working error, update Windows and device drivers:
- Windows 11: Start > search settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
- Windows 10: Start > Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Check online for updates from Microsoft Update.
- Also update video card, printer, mouse, and keyboard drivers from the device manufacturer if needed.
- If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall Office using the Microsoft uninstall troubleshooter. If the troubleshooter does not fully remove Office, manual uninstall is available.
If the error specifically says Product Deactivated, an admin licensing change can trigger it. Common causes include license reassignment, group-based licensing changes, or the Latest version of Desktop Apps service plan being turned off. In that case, use Reactivate first, then check with the admin if the issue returns.
- I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC | Microsoft Support
- Users might receive a Product Deactivated error in Microsoft 365 Office apps | Microsoft Support
- Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office | Microsoft Support
- "Something went wrong" error when you try to start a Microsoft 365 app | Microsoft Support
- [Office for business](https://support.microsoft.com/office/lifecycle/officeinstall/troubleshoot-installing-office)