Office says the product is unlicensed

What to do when Word, Excel or Outlook show a red banner about activation.

Updated September 21, 2026

This happens when the app cannot confirm your Microsoft 365 license. It is usually fixed by signing in again.

  1. Select Sign in on the red bar, or select File, then Account, then Sign in.
  2. Use your work email address and password, and approve the sign-in on your phone.
  3. Close all Office apps and open them again.
Good to know

If it still says unlicensed, take a screenshot of the Account page and open a ticket. We can check that a license is assigned to you.