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Fix: Product Activation Failed Error in Office [Excel, Word]
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Microsoft product activation failed errors can manifest because of various reasons. And failure to activate yourMicrosoft productmeans that the program in question will operate adequately.
Therefore, it is necessary to fix these errors sooner rather than later by configuring the program correctly.
To fix these issues, you have two options; either hire a professional or fix it yourself.
While the latter is much cheaper, it requires some tech knowledge, which is where this list of 7 detailed fixes for the Product Activation Failed error comes into play.
What happens if Microsoft Office is not activated?
Suppose the Microsoft Office suite is used without a license. In that case, you will gradually lose access to its features until you cannot use even the most essential elements, like viewing documents.
Because this error appears across apps, users have wondered how to remove the dreaded product activation failed error in MS Office 2016, 2013, and 2010 versions.
Users have also complained on online forums regarding a product activation failed error appearing in both Excel and Outlook.
How do I fix the Microsoft product activation failure error?
1. Switch to your active Microsoft account
This is the most direct cause of Microsoft product activation failed notifications, affecting users who have multiple Microsoft user accounts, especially if they signed into both versions on their PC.
It also affects users who have purchased a subscription product, even if the subscription is still active.
If you switched your active Account to another without an active Microsoft product subscription, you’d see theproduct activation failednotification.
2. Update your subscription
Follow the steps below to update your product license:
Your product license should then be updated automatically if free. If it is a paid product, you’ll need to make a payment. Once the license is renewed successfully, the product activation failed error message will disappear automatically.
3. Remove other copies of Office from your PC
4. Run the program with administrator privileges
5. Check your date/time settings
Even though it might seem counterintuitive, your PC’s date and time settings could cause activation failures if they aren’t correct. Here is how to fix it.
6. Update the program in question
The recommendation is always to use the latest version of your Windows programs, as it is commonly the root of most sudden problems. Here is a step-by-step guide to updating the program.
7. Reset Microsoft settings
Your Microsoft settings affect how the program works. Thus, wrongly configured settings can instigate the product activation failed error. To fix it:
This process might take some time to conclude, so be patient and don’t worry about it too much. The process will do it soon enough.
You’ll notice that each of these fixes depends on the issue at hand with your Microsoft product and why it failed to activate.
While this product activation failure issue can be irritating, they’re easy to fix if you follow the steps outlined above. Did the guide help you get rid of your product activation issues? Let us know in the comments section.
More about the topics:Activation Errors,Microsoft Office
Vladimir Popescu
Being an artist his entire life while also playing handball at a professional level, Vladimir has also developed a passion for all things computer-related.
With an innate fascination for research and analysis, and realizing many other people share his passion for this subject, he delved into writing Windows-related articles, so other people can also benefit from the acquired information.
When not writing kick-ass articles, Vladimir likes to spend his time doing Crossfit and creating art.
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