Error Code 44

Andy Piercy 20 Reputation points
2026-10-23T14:29:15.2933333+00:00

Tried refreshing Word licence and got Error Code 44 on my mac on Office

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS
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Answer accepted by question author
EmilyS726 280.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-10-23T15:12:37.5366667+00:00

Hello,

You need to provide some necessary information/context in order for anyone to troubleshoot.

What license do you use? Is it Microsoft 365 Personal/Family subscription?

Or One-time purchased license like Office Home 2024, etc? If so, which one/year?

What's your macOS version?

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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-23T14:29:33.26+00:00

    Error Code 44 in a Microsoft 365 app usually means the app is signed in with an account that does not have the license being updated.

    Try this on the Mac:

    1. Open Word.
    2. Go to the account/profile area at the top right of the app and verify the signed-in account.
    3. Make sure it is the same Microsoft account that owns the Microsoft 365 subscription or Office license.
    4. In Word, open File > Account.
    5. Select Update License again.
    6. If prompted, close and restart all Microsoft 365 apps.

    To confirm the active license in Word:

    1. Open File > Account.
    2. Under Product Information, check the licensed product name shown there.

    If Word still shows the error, update Office on the Mac and test again:

    1. Close all Office apps.
    2. Open Finder > Applications > Microsoft AutoUpdate.
    3. Install updates with Update All, or update Word individually.
    4. Reopen Word and try the license update again.

    If Microsoft AutoUpdate is not visible, check this location: /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0/

    If Office was installed from the Mac App Store instead of microsoft.com:

    1. Close all Office apps.
    2. Open the App Store.
    3. Select Updates.
    4. Update Word or choose Update All.

    If the issue started while activating an older Office for Mac version, also check these known causes:

    • Two-step verification can require an app password during sign-in.
    • An outdated Office build can block activation.
    • Old Office license or preference files can interfere with activation.

    For Office for Mac 2011 specifically, Microsoft also recommends:

    • Open an Office app and select Help > Check for Product Updates.
    • If two-step verification is enabled, create an app password and use that when prompted.
    • Remove previous Office licenses, preferences, and subscription files if they are blocking activation.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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