I have installed a paid Office 365 suite, but cannot seem to open it

The correct fix depends on whether Word or Excel does not start at all, or starts but displays Unlicensed Product, Activate, or a subscription warning.

If Word or Excel does not open at all on Windows

1. Restart the computer, then search for Word from the Start menu and open it directly.
2. If nothing happens, repair the entire Microsoft 365 installation:
   • Windows 11: Right-click Start → Installed apps → find Microsoft 365 → select … → Modify.
   • Windows 10: Right-click Start → Apps and Features → select Microsoft 365 → Modify.
3. Select Online Repair → Repair. Online Repair is more thorough than Quick Repair and repairs the complete suite. Restart Windows when it finishes, then open Word again. [^1^](https://support.microsoft.com/office/-something-went-wrong-error-when-you-try-to-start-a-microsoft-365-app-4b4471dd-cf86-4a37-910d-35a01a6c7d17 ""Something went wrong" error when you try to start a Microsoft 365 app")

If Online Repair does not work, use Microsoft’s uninstall troubleshooter described on the same support page, restart the computer, and reinstall Microsoft 365. The troubleshooter must run on the affected computer and requires Windows 10 or later. Before uninstalling, verify that the subscription appears in the account from which it will be reinstalled.

Avoid deleting Office registry entries unless Microsoft Support identifies a specific entry. Registry deletion is not the normal first repair step and can damage the installation.

If an app opens but asks for activation or says “Unlicensed Product”

1. Close all Office applications.
2. Open the Microsoft account Services & subscriptions page using the link in Microsoft’s activation guide.
3. Sign in with the same Microsoft account used to purchase Microsoft 365.
4. Confirm that the paid subscription is listed as active.
5. Open Word and sign in with that same account. Using another email address can produce “We couldn’t find any Office products.”
6. In Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features, search for Office. If multiple Office versions are installed, uninstall versions that are not being used, restart Windows, and try activation again.
7. If it remains unlicensed, run the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter from Microsoft’s activation guide on the affected PC. It requires Windows 10 or later. ^2^

If this is a Mac

If the applications open but report that no subscription or licence was found:

1. Close all Office applications.
2. In Finder → Applications, open Microsoft AutoUpdate and install all available updates.
3. Confirm that the subscription belongs to the account being used in Office.
4. If the subscription is active but the prompt continues, use Microsoft’s License Removal Tool, reopen Word or Excel, and sign in with the purchasing account. ^3^

If the subscription or account is wrong

If the subscription is missing, the displayed recovery email is unfamiliar, or the payment is not attached to the account being used, this is an account or billing case rather than an installation repair. Contact Microsoft Support, select Microsoft 365 → Get Home Support, enter billing, sign in, and choose the subscription-management chat option. ^4^

References

1. "Something went wrong" error when you try to start a Microsoft 365 app
2. Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office | Microsoft Support
3. activate my 365 account for office in Mac - Microsoft Q&A
4. Cannot open anything in office 365. - Microsoft Q&A