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If Office activation fails, in the title bar of your Office appsUnlicensed productorNon-Commercial Use/Unlicensed Productdisplayed. To restore all Office features, you must fix the problem that caused activation to fail.
Step 1: Sign in to Office with the correct account
If Office asks you to sign in, provide the account you used to purchase Office. If you use the wrong address, "No Office products were found" will appear.
Action:Sign in to Office
Step 2: Check if multiple copies of Office are installed
You may not be aware that multiple copies are installed. If two installations exist, this can lead to activation conflicts.
Action:Check if multiple copies of Office are installed
Step 3: Check the status of your subscription
If your subscription has expired, "No Office products were found" is displayed. Renew your subscription to use Microsoft 365.
Action:Check the status of your subscription
Step 4: Troubleshoot activation errors
If Office still won't activate, select your Office version for more troubleshooting help.
Microsoft 365
Office 2021, 2019 und Office 2016
Office 2013
A notice:If you're running Office on Windows 7 (which is no longer supported, seeEnd of support for Windows 7 and Office), you need to make sure that TLS 1.2 is enabled by default. ReadUpdate to enable TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2 as default secure protocols in WinHTTP in Windows.
Step 1: Sign in with the correct account
Try signing in with all of your personal email addresses in case you bought Office using a different email address. If you're at work or school, you may need to sign in with your work or school account instead of your personal email account.
To verify that your Microsoft account is linked to Office, sign inServices and Subscriptionsat. Your Office product or Microsoft 365 subscription should be listed there. If it doesn't, your email address doesn't work to sign in to Office.
Step 2: Check if multiple copies of Office are installed
Activation may fail if you have multiple copies of Office installed. Before you continue troubleshooting, uninstall any versions of Office that you are not using.
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Open Control Panel by following the steps below for your operating system.
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Windows 11oderWindows10: Enter on the Windows taskbarcontrol panelin the fieldEnter text here to search, select in the search resultscontrol paneland then selectprograms and functionsout of.
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Windows 8.1 oder Windows 8: Right-click the buttonStart
(lower left corner), selectcontrol paneland thenprograms and functionsout of. -
Windows 7: Select>control panel>Uninstall program.
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Submitprograms and functionsin The FieldBrowse programs and features(top right corner) the wordOfficea.
Multiple installed versions may appear, e.g. e.g.:
If more than one version is shown, right-click the version you are not using and selectUninstallout of.
If only one version is listed, you can useStep 3: Check your Microsoft 365 subscription status.
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When the uninstallation is complete, restart the computer.
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Open an Office app and sign in when prompted.
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If Office still won't activate, try an online repair of the remaining Office installation as described inRepair an Office applicationto repair. If activation still fails, continue to the next step.
(lower left corner), selectcontrol paneland thenprograms and functionsout of.
Step 3: Check the status of your Microsoft 365 subscription
If you have a Microsoft 365 Home subscription, make sure it's still active or renew the subscription if necessary.
If you don't have Microsoft 365, you canStep 4: Troubleshoot Office activation errorsContinue.
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Close all Office apps.
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Go to your pageServices and Subscriptions.
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If prompted, chooseRegisterand provide the email address and password for the Microsoft account associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription.
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Check the details under the headingSubscriptionsorCanceled Subscriptions.
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If your subscription has expired, you can renew it by following the steps belowRenew from Microsoft 365 Familycarry out.
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After you renew your subscription, you may have the option to restart your Office apps. If Office still won't activate, continue to the next step.
Step 4: Troubleshoot Office activation errors
Select your version of Office to view troubleshooting steps:
Microsoft 365
Office 2021, 2019 und Office 2016
Office 2013
Microsoft 365: Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant
Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant runs on Windows PCs and can help you identify and fix Microsoft 365 activation issues.
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Select the button belowDownloadout of.
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Select your browser from the drop-down list for information on saving and then launching the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant.
Select your browser - Select your browser
- Edge
- Internet Explorer
- Chrome
- Firefox
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Select at the top of the browser windowopen fileout of.
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In the next box indicating that theDownload of "SetupProd_Act.exe" is complete, die OptionCarry outout of.
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Select at the bottom of the browser windowOpenout to the fileSetupProd_Act.exeto open.
If the file doesn't open automatically, selectSave on computer>open folderand double-click the file (the name should start with "SetupProd_Act.exe" to start).
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Select the file on the bottom leftSetupProd_Act.exeand in the drop-down list the optionShow in folderout of.
Double click on the download,SetupProd_Act.exe.
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Please make a choichesave fileand thenOKout of.
Select at the top right of the browser windowShow all downloadsout of. Choose in the libraryDownloads>SetupProd_Act.exeand then the folder icon. Double clickSetupProd_Act.exe.
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The dialog boxapplication installationwill be opened. Please make a choicheTo installto start the installation.
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Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant opens in a new window. Please make a choicheI agreeto accept the Microsoft Services Agreement.
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Please make a choicheAndto allow the app to make changes to your device.
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Follow the instructions to fix your Office activation issue.
If Office freezes after running Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant, you can use theFix Unlicensed Product error yourself.
Fix "Unlicensed product" errors yourself
If you've tried the previous troubleshooting steps and Office is still not licensed, you can troubleshoot activation errors yourself.
Try these first
Check your computer's date, time, and time zone settings
Run Office as an administrator
Updating Office
Check connectivity
Check your firewall
Check your antivirus software
Check your proxy settings
Check your computer's date, time, and time zone settings
If these settings are not correct, Office activation may fail. Follow the steps below for your operating system.
Windows 11 oderWindows10
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Close all Office apps.
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Select the date or time in the lower-right corner of the screen.
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Please make a choicheDate and time settingsout of.
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Please make a choicheSet time automaticallyand, if indicated,Set time zone automaticallyout of. If you don't have the option to set the time zone automatically, make sure your local time zone is intime zoneis shown.
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Restart any Office app.
Windows 8.1 oderWindows8
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Close all Office apps.
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Select the date or time in the lower-right corner of the screen.
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Please make a choicheChange date and time settingsout of.
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If the date or time is wrong, chooseChange date and timeand correct the date and time settings.
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If the time zone is wrong, choosechange time zoneand then the local time zone.
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Restart any Office app.
Windows7
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Close all Office apps.
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Select the date or time in the lower-right corner of the screen.
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Please make a choicheChange date and time settingsout of.
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If the date or time is wrong, chooseChange date and timeand correct the date and time settings.
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If the time zone is wrong, choosechange time zoneand then the local time zone.
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Restart any Office app.
Tipp:In Windows 7, you can synchronize your computer clock with a time server on the Internet so that the computer clock is up to date. To do this, select the date or time at the bottom right of the screen and thenChange date and time settingsout of. Choose the tabinternet time>Change settings>Synchronize with an internet time server>Update nowout of.
Run Office as an administrator
Running Office as an administrator can help resolve permissions issues that may be preventing Office activation. Follow the steps below for your operating system.
Windows 11 undWindows10
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Close all Office apps.
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Click the button in the lower left corner of the screenStart.
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Enter an application name, e.g. B.Word. The Word program icon appears in the search results.
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Right-click the Word icon, and then clickExecute as administrator.
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Please make a choicheAndto allow Office to run as an administrator.
Windows 8.1
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Close all Office apps.
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In Windows 8.1, right-click the button in the lower-left corner of the screenStart, and then selectSeekout of.
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Enter an application name, e.g. B.Word. The Word program icon appears in the search results.
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Right-click the Word icon, and then clickExecute as administrator.
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Please make a choicheAndto allow Office to run as an administrator.
Windows8
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Close all Office apps.
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In Windows 8, move the mouse pointer to the top-right corner of the screen to open the charms bar, then click the iconSeek.
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Enter an application name, e.g. B.Word. The Word program icon appears in the search results.
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Right-click the Word icon, and then clickExecute as administrator.
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Please make a choicheAndto allow Office to run as an administrator.
Windows7
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Close all Office apps.
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Click the button in the lower left corner of the screenStart.
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Type in the boxBrowse programs/filesEnter an application name, e.g. B.Word. The Word program icon appears in the search results.
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Right-click the Excel icon, and then clickExecute as administrator.
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If prompted, chooseAndto allow Office to run as an administrator.
Updating Office
The latest Office updates may contain fixes for activation issues. For information about updating Office, seeInstall Office updates.
Check your firewall
If you are using another manufacturer's firewall, visit that manufacturer's website for information on how to temporarily disable the firewall. Windows Firewall instructions are below.
Windows 11 and Windows 10
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Please navigate toTurn Windows Firewall on or off.
Windows 8.1 and 7
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Please scroll belowProtect my PC from virusestoTurn Windows Firewall on or off.
Check your antivirus software
Visit the manufacturer's website for information on disabling your antivirus software. Uninstalling your antivirus software may also help. Don't forget to reinstall this software after the Office installation is complete, and if you had disabled it, enable it again.
If you're not sure what antivirus software you're using, go to the Control Panel using the instructions below to find the name of your antivirus software.
Tipp:Windows 10 comes standard with antivirus software, Windows Defender. When you find that you are using this software, select the buttonStart>Ideas>updates and security, and then select Windows Defender on the left. Slide the switch openOut of. Don't forget to turn it back onAto push.
- Select your operating system
- Windows 11 and Windows 10
- Windows 8.1
- Windows7
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Enter the menuStart
the Textcontrol panelin the search box and select from the resultscontrol panelout of. -
Do one of the following:
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Choose in viewCategoryfirstsystem and safetyand thensecurity and maintenance, and then click the down arrow next toSecurity.
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Choose in viewBig iconsorSmall iconsthe entrysecurity and maintenance, and then click the down arrow next toSecurity.
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If Windows can detect your antivirus software, it will be undervirus protectionlisted.
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Go to Control Panel by right-clicking the buttonStart
(lower left corner) and thencontrol panelchoose. -
Do one of the following:
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Choose in viewCategoryfirstsystem and safety>maintenance center, and then click the down arrow next toSecurity.
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Choose in viewBig iconsorSmall iconsthemaintenance center, and then click the down arrow next toSecurity.
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If Windows can detect your antivirus software, it will be undervirus protectionlisted.
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Go to Control Panel by clicking the buttonStart
(lower left corner) and thencontrol panelchoose. -
Do one of the following:
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Choose in viewCategoryfirstsystem and safetyand thenmaintenance center, and then click the down arrow next toSecurity.
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Choose in viewBig iconsorSmall iconsthemaintenance center, and then click the down arrow next toSecurity.
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(lower left corner) and thencontrol panelchoose.If Windows can detect your antivirus software, it will be undervirus protectionlisted.
Check your proxy settings
If you use your device for both home and work, it's a good idea to disable proxy settings in Microsoft Edge or Internet Explorer before installing Microsoft 365. If you use a different browser, see its help for information on disabling proxy settings.
Microsoft Edge
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Click the buttonStart
(bottom left) and selectIdeasout of. -
Please make a choichenetwork and internet, scroll left to bottom of choices and clickProxy.
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let inAutomatic proxy setupautomatically detect the settings, or use a setup script by toggling the switchAorOut ofplace.
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UnderManual proxy setupyou can choose to use a proxy server. This setting is generally disabled when you turn the switch onAbe sure to get up afterwardsSave on computerclick. If the setting was off by default before you turned it on, be sure to turn the switch back onOut of, when you are ready.
Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11
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In Internet Explorer, clickExtras(upper right corner) >internet options.
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Click on the tablinks, and then click the buttonLAN settings.
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Under Proxy Server, uncheck Use a proxy server for your LAN (these settings do not apply to VPN or dial-up connections).
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click onOKandTake overto save the changes. Restart the computer.
A notice:There may be other proxy settings that you need to bypass. If that doesn't work and you're installing Office in your office or school, ask your IT department for more information. IT administrators please read belowMicrosoft 365 URLs and IP address rangesafter.
Need more help? Contact support.
If you've tried everything in this article but still need more help, you can use theContact Office Support.
FAQs
Unlicensed Product Error and Activation Error in Office? ›
The unlicenced product warning usually happens if you've started Office after a break of several weeks and there's a problem with the Internet connection. Office software checks with Microsoft every month or so to make sure your Office subscription or purchase is still OK.
How do I fix Microsoft Office unlicensed product? ›- Step 1: Sign in to Office with the right account. If Office asks you to sign in, enter the account you used to buy Office. ...
- Step 2: Check for multiple copies of Office. ...
- Step 3: Check your subscription status. ...
- Step 4: Troubleshoot activation.
- Method 1: Verify that the affected user is assigned an Office Professional Plus license on the Microsoft Online Portal.
- Method 2: Reactivate Office by using your Microsoft 365 organization ID.
- Method 3: Verify the system clock settings.
- Method 4: Uninstall and reinstall Office 2010.
You can open the Office app that you failed to activate. Click the Account Name option at the top-right corner and select Sign Out. Then you can sign in with the correct Microsoft account to see if the Office app can be successfully activated.
What is Office 2013 activation error 0x4004f00c? ›To fix Microsoft Office error 0x4004f00c, you can also try to run the Office app with administrator rights. Right-click the Microsoft Office application and select Properties. In the Properties window, you can click the Compatibility tab. Check the “Run this program as an administrator” option.
Why is Office suddenly unlicensed? ›Assuming you have a current Office 2021/2019 or Microsoft 365 subscription (we'll show you how to check that, below). The unlicenced product warning usually happens if you've started Office after a break of several weeks and there's a problem with the Internet connection.
Why Microsoft Office product activation failed? ›One of the most common causes of activation errors is improper software activation. When you install Microsoft Office, you must activate it before you can use all of its features. If the activation process fails or the license is invalid, the “Product activation failed” error message may appear.
How do I force Office 2010 to activate? ›Activate Office 2010 online
Click File > Help > Activate Product Key. If you don't see an Activate Product Key button, your software is already activated, and you don't need to do anything.
Step 1: Go to www.office.com/setup or Microsoft365.com/setup. Step 2: Sign in with your Microsoft account, or create one if you don't have one. Be sure to remember this account so that you can install or reinstall Office later, without a product key.
What does unlicensed Microsoft mean? ›office 2019microsoft certified partnerproduct keynot openingupdate officeIf your Office apps are not opening and showing "Unlicensed Product" or "Non-commercial use/ Unlicensed Product" in the title bar, it means your Office products have been disabled.
How to bypass Word product activation failed? ›
Navigate to the File tab and select Account on the left sidebar. Under User Information, you can find the account information. If you see a different account there, click on Sign out. Then, sign in again using the account that has an active subscription.
Can I still use Word without activation? ›Office includes an Activation Wizard. To fully use Office, you must activate Office. If you do not activate the product after you install it, the Office programs can be started only in reduced-functionality mode.
How do I activate Microsoft Office again? ›- On the Products tab, find the subscription that you want to reactivate. Select the three dots (more actions), then select Reactivate this subscription. ...
- In the Reactivate this subscription pane, select a payment method from the drop-down list, or select Add payment method.
- Select Save.
- Step 1: Make sure all Office programs are closed. This will ensure the script runs properly.
- Step 2: Open the Command Prompt as Administrator. ...
- Step 3: Navigate to the Office Installation folder %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office15\ ...
- Step 4: Run "cscript ospp.
Click on Start, Control Panel, Program, Program and feature.
Click on File, Account, on the right hand side on the page under Product Information check if the product is activated. If it displays Office application is not activated, you may click on Activate Product and follow the instructions to activate the program.
From the start menu click All programs > Microsoft Office 2013, then click on any program in the folder (e.g., Access 2013, Excel 2013) to open it. The Activate Office window will open. Click Enter the product key instead. Ensure the option Use recommended settings option is selected, and click Accept.
How do I activate Microsoft Office for free permanently? ›- Go to Microsoft365.com.
- Click Sign up for the free version of Office under the "Sign in" button.
- Log in to your Microsoft account or create one for free. ...
- Select the app you want to use and save your work in the cloud with OneDrive.
If you bought a new Microsoft 365 product key card, or you received a product key when you bought Microsoft 365through an online store, go to Office.com/setup or Microsoft365.com/setup and follow the on-screen prompts. This is a one-time process that adds your new product to your Microsoft account.
What does no Microsoft Office license included mean? ›If no Office version is shown, you don't have an Office license assigned to the account you are signed in with. If you are signed in with your Work or School account, and don't have a license assigned, contact your Microsoft 365 Administrator to get a license assigned.