Fix Office activation problems

The messages people see most, and how to clear them.

“Unlicensed Product” banner

This usually means more than one Office version is installed, or a trial is still on the PC. Uninstall every Office and Microsoft 365 entry in Settings › Apps › Installed apps, restart, reinstall from your download link and enter your key again.

“This product key has already been used”

Contact us with your order number and a screenshot. We'll check the key and send a replacement if it's faulty.

Office keeps asking me to sign in

Look for Enter product key instead or I don't want to sign in on the sign-in screen. You can also close it and use File › Account › Change Product Key.

“We can't verify the license” or other errors

  1. Check your internet connection and your PC's date and time.
  2. Repair Office: go to Settings › Apps › Installed apps, select Microsoft Office › Modify, then Quick Repair. If that doesn't help, try Online Repair.
  3. Open Word again and enter your key under File › Account.
Still stuck?Send us a screenshot of the error and your order number on the contact page. If a key won't activate, we fix it or send a replacement.