Troubleshoot installing Office

Try this first

Recovery tool didn't help? Select from below:

How do I download and install or reinstall Office?

If you're looking for the steps to download and install the latest version of Office, see Install Office on your PC or Mac.

I have a subscription for Project or Visio. How do I download and install them?

Project and Visio aren't currently supported on a Mac.

To install Project Online Professional or Project Online Premium on your PC, see the section Download and install Project.

To install Visio Pro for Office 365 on your PC, see Download and install Visio Pro for Office 365.

You don't want to install all the Office applications

When you install Office 365, all the applications that came with your particular Office product is installed at the same time. You can’t custom select which Office applications you want to install or not install, nor you can't delete individual applications after your installation is complete. However, you can delete shortcuts to applications you don’t plan to use.

You want to install Office on a drive other than the C: drive

You can only install Office on the system drive where your operating system is installed. That’s usually your C: drive.

Install the 64-bit version of Office instead of the 32-bit version

If you previously installed the 32-bit version of Office on your PC, but decide you now want the 64-bit version, you'll have to uninstall 32-bit and then reinstall the 64-bit version of Office. To uninstall the 32-bit version use this easy fix to uninstall Office.

Use the uninstall troubleshooter to uninstall Microsoft 365, Office 2021, Office 2019, or Office 2016 from your Windows PC.

1. Select the button below to start the uninstall troubleshooter.

   Uninstall

2. Click Open if you get a pop-up window indicating This site is trying to open Get Help.

3. Follow the prompts on the remaining screens and when prompted, restart your computer.

If you're looking for the steps to install the 64-bit version of Office, see the section, Step 1: Sign in to download Office.

If you're not sure how to decide between 64-bit or 32-bit, see Choose the 64-bit or 32-bit version of Office 2016.

Can I install Office on a Chromebook?

You can't install the desktop PC or Mac versions of Office on your Chromebook, but depending on your Chromebook you may be able to install the Office mobile apps. See Install Microsoft Office on a Chromebook.

Problems while trying to install Office

If you encountered a problem while installing Office on a PC, try restarting your computer and then attempting to install Office again. If that didn't help, use this easy fix tool to uninstall Office completely. After your uninstall is complete, try reinstalling Office.

Uninstall Office using easy fix

Use the uninstall troubleshooter to uninstall Microsoft 365, Office 2021, Office 2019, or Office 2016 from your Windows PC.

1. Select the button below to start the uninstall troubleshooter.

   Uninstall

2. Click Open if you get a pop-up window indicating This site is trying to open Get Help.

3. Follow the prompts on the remaining screens and when prompted, restart your computer.

4. Select the steps for the version of Office you want to install or reinstall.

   Microsoft 365 | Office 2024 | Office 2021 | Office 2019 | Office 2016

If Office still won't install, check that your computer meets the system requirements to install Office. For example, you can't install Office on computers running Windows XP or Windows Vista.

If you're still unable to install Office following the steps in Download and install or reinstall Office try using the offline installer.

The Microsoft 365 offline installer may help bypass potential proxy, firewall, antivirus, or Internet connection issues that might occur during an Microsoft 365 installation.

For steps to install an offline version of Microsoft 365, see Use the Office offline installer and select the correct tab for your version of Office.

You can't install Access

If you can't find Access on your computer even though its included with your Office 365 subscription, try the following in the order listed.

Update Office

1. Open an Office application, such as Word or Excel and create a new document.

2. From the ribbon, select File > Account.

3. Under the Product Information section, select Update Options > Update Now.

4. When the update is complete, click Start and look for Access in your list of apps.

Reinstall Office

Follow the steps in Install Office on your PC or Mac. If you need to install the 64-bit version, select the PC step-by-step tab and expand the section, "Install or reinstall an Office for business product."

If you have problems installing Office, you may need to uninstall it first and then reinstall it. See the section above, For problems while installing Office

You don't see an option to install Office, check if you have a license

1. If you're not already signed in, go to http://admin.microsoft.com and sign in with your work or school account.

   Note: If you're unable to sign in with your work or school account, you may be signing in to the wrong Office 365 service, see Where to sign in to Office 365.

2. From the browser header, go to Settings > My app settings > Office 365.

   

3. On the My account page, select Subscriptions.

   

   You’ll see the services that you're licensed to use, such as the latest desktop version of Office, SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business, and Exchange Online. If you don't see The latest desktop version of Office in the list (or Project or Visio if your organization has a plan that includes those applications) your admin probably hasn't assigned an Office license to you. If you're an admin, see Assign licenses to users in Office 365 for business. For more information, see What Office 365 business product or license do I have?

   If you have a license, then you're ready to Install Office on your PC or Mac, (or Project Online Desktop Client or Visio Pro for Office 365).

Not all Office 365 subscription plans come with the fully installed Office applications. See the bottom of the Office for business column for a list of plans that don't include the Office desktop client. If your organization has one of these Microsoft 365 plans, the Office 365 admin can switch to a different Office 365 plan or subscription or buy another Office 365 for business subscription for users in an organization who require the full version of Office.

If you're an admin and you aren't sure what plan you have, follow the steps in What Office 365 for business subscription do I have? For a comparison of plans, see compare small business plans or compare enterprise plans.

You're a student or teacher and don't see an option to install Office

If you're a student or teacher and don't see an option to install Office, you may be eligible for Office 365 Education, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. All you need to get started is a valid school email address. For more information, see Get Office 365 for free.

Be sure to check the System requirements for Office. For example, you can't install Office on computers running Windows Vista or Windows XP, or on devices that aren't running a supported Windows or Mac operating system. However, you may still be able to use Office Online in your computer's browser.

Computers running Windows Vista or Windows XP don't meet system requirements to install Office

You can't install Office 2016 on computers running Windows Vista or Windows XP as these operating systems don't meet the system requirements for Office. Attempting to install Office on a computer running an unsupported operating system will result in an error. (If you're interested in learning more about the latest version of Windows, see Windows 11 specifications for details.)

If your computer can't install the full desktop version of Office because your computer doesn't meet the system requirements, you can try using Office Online in your computer's browser. See the Browsers section on the system requirements page.

Office install hangs or is stuck at 90%

If Office is taking a long time to install you may be on a slow connection or you another install or update may be happening in the background. See Office is taking long to install or Office hangs at 90% for possible solutions.

Known issues with Office and Windows 10

See Known issues with Office and Windows 10.

Install button doesn't install Office

If the Install button is grayed out, your Office 365 subscription might have expired. Select your subscription from the list in Renew Office 365 for business to see the steps for how to renew it.

For other solutions, see Install button doesn't install Office.

You get a KERNEL32.dll error when trying to install Office and other system requirement issues

Check that your computer meets the minimum system requirements to install Office. See System requirements for Office for a list of additional requirements.

If you're trying to install Office on a computer running Windows XP or Windows Vista, you may get an error that says the dynamic library KERNEL 32.dll can't be located. This occurs because newer versions of Office aren't supported on these versions of Windows. For more information, see Why can’t I install Office 2013 or Office 2016 on Windows XP or Windows Vista?

If you're not sure which operating system you have, see Which Windows operating system am I running? or Find the OS X version and build number on your Mac.

If your computer can't install the full desktop version of Office because it doesn't meet the system requirements, you can try using Office Online in your computer's browser.

I get a "Stop, you should wait to install Office 2016" error

If you connect to an Exchange 2007 mailbox (which reached End of Life on April 11, 2017), you might want to stay on Office 2013 until you upgrade from Exchange 2007. See the following:

• Error: Stop, you should wait to install Office 2016. You won’t be able to receive mail from a current mailbox

• Exchange 2007 end of support roadmap

• Office 2013 is no longer available for installation with an Office 365 subscription

Error messages when installing Office

You might get an error that has a number and maybe some descriptive text. Although the messages are hard to understand, there are often solutions. Try these links if you get these errors.

Not every error is listed here. If there's a Learn More link on the error message, select that. If there's no link, let us know what error you got and where you were in the install process when you received it. Leave us a comment at the bottom of this page to let us know more about your issue.

Upgrade to Office 2016

If you're on an Microsoft 365 subscription, you will see an upgrade notification in the menu bar of your Microsoft 365 applications or you can update your version manually by signing in to Microsoft 365. See Upgrade to Office 2016 using Office 365 for business.

How do I install Office updates?

Office up-to-date ensures that you have the latest security updates and fixes. If your admin has given you permission to install updates, see Install Office updates.

You're having trouble signing in

Microsoft has more than one kind of Office 365 service and each service has its own sign-in page. Where you sign in depends on which service you're using.

Sign in with your work or school account at https://www.office.com/signin. This is the account that you created or someone in your organization created on your behalf.

If you use Office 365 operated by 21Vianet in China, sign in with your work or school username and password at:

• https://login.partner.microsoftonline.cn

If you use Office 365 Germany, sign in with your work or school username and password at:

• https://portal.office.de

For more information about accounts, see Where to sign in to Office 365 or What is my user ID and why do I need it for Office 365 for business?

You forgot your password

If you've forgotten the password for the work or school account you use with Office 365, you can reset it at, https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com/ or contact your organization's administrator.

Activation or unlicensed product issues

If you have an Office 365 plan, to keep it active, you have to sign in at least once every 30 days. If your subscription hasn't expired, Office will reactivate the subscription the next time you log in.

Troubleshoot activation failures

As an Office 365 for business user, you can download Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant to help you fix activation issues.

1. Select the download button and install the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant.

   Download

2. Follow the steps below to download the support tool according to your browser.

   Tip: The tool may take a few minutes to download and install. After completing the installation, the Application Install window will open.

   Edge or Chrome

   • In the lower-lower left corner right-click SetupProd_Act.exe > Open.

     

   Edge (older) or Internet Explorer

   • At the bottom of the browser window, select Run to launch the SetupProd_Act.exe.

     

   Firefox

   • In the pop-up window, select Save Fileand then from the upper-right browser window, select the downloads arrow > SetupProd_Act.exe.

     

3. When the Application Install window appears, you will be asked if you want to install this application. Select Install to continue.

4. Follow through the remaining screens to complete the installation.

If that tool doesn’t resolve your issue or you recently switched plans and now get an unlicensed product error or can't use your Office applications, see Unlicensed Product and activation errors in Office.

If activation failures began after you upgraded to Windows 10, see Office error code 0x8004FC12 when activating Office.

Deactivate an install

You can activate Office on up to five computers. If you've used up your five installs and want to install Office on another computer, you have to deactivate an installation. Deactivation doesn't remove Office from the computer, but you can't use Office on that computer until you activate it.

If you're an Office 365 user, do the following to deactivate an installation.

1. Go to https://admin.microsoft.com/Account/#home. If prompted, sign in with your work or school account.

2. From the Install status tile, select Manage installs.

3. Under Install status, select Deactivate to deactivate the Office installations you no longer use.

For more information, see Deactivate Office 365 if you see a "limit reached" error.

Where do I install Office for Mac?

If you're looking for steps describing how to install Office on a Mac, see Install Office on your PC or Mac. Office recognizes what operating system you're using so make sure you're on your Mac when you click Install to begin the install procedure.

Download and installation issues on a Mac

For download and installation issues on a Mac, see What to try if you can't install Office for Mac.

I can't find the apps on my Mac

When you install Office for Mac, the app icons aren't automatically added to the dock. To add to the dock, drag the app icon from the Launchpad or the Applications folder. See Add the Office for Mac app icon to the dock.

Uninstall Office for Mac

See Uninstall Office for Mac for instructions on uninstalling the Office apps.

Mac activation issues

To troubleshoot Mac activation issues, see the "Activation" section in What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac.

Install updates on a Mac

If your admin has given you permission to install updates, the Microsoft AutoUpdate makes sure your copy of Office will always be up-to-date with the latest security fixes and improvements. To install or check for updates on your Mac, see Check for Office for Mac updates automatically.

Install Office apps and set up email on a mobile device (iOS, Android, or Windows phone or tablet)

The Office apps for Android, iOS (iPhone or iPad), or Windows mobile devices are available to download from the app store for your device. For details on how to download Office apps and set them up, select your device from below:

• Set up Office apps and email on Android

• Set up Office apps and email on iOS devices

• Set up Office apps and email on Windows Phone or Set up Office apps on Windows Phone

You can't set up email on your mobile device

For help with troubleshooting email setup on your phone or tablet, see Troubleshoot email setup on mobile.

You can't edit documents using Office apps on your mobile device

In most cases you can do basic editing on most of these devices, however if you have a qualifying Office 365 subscription, you get access to the apps' extra features. If you discover you can't make edits to certain documents, see What you can do in the Office apps on an Android, iOS, or Windows mobile device with an Office 365 subscription.

You can't find the Office applications after installing Office

See Can't find Office applications in Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7?

You recently switched Office 365 plans and now get messages you can't use Office

When you install Office it's automatically linked to your Office 365 plan. This means if you or the users in your organization see Account Notice or Unlicensed product errors in Office, they need to install the version of Office that comes with the new Office 365 plan, and then uninstall the version that came with the previous plan. Use this easy fix tool to uninstall Office and then follow the steps to reinstall Office.

Use the uninstall troubleshooter to uninstall Microsoft 365, Office 2021, Office 2019, or Office 2016 from your Windows PC.

1. Select the button below to start the uninstall troubleshooter.

   Uninstall

2. Click Open if you get a pop-up window indicating This site is trying to open Get Help.

3. Follow the prompts on the remaining screens and when prompted, restart your computer.

4. Select the steps for the version of Office you want to install or reinstall.

   Microsoft 365 | Office 2024 | Office 2021 | Office 2019 | Office 2016

Office "stopped working" message appears when you start an application

You might see an "<application> stopped working" error when you try to start Office applications: Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, or Visio. Older versions of add-ins might cause this type of problem.

To resolve, first make sure you installed the latest Office update.

If the application still isn't working, try the options in, Why do I get a "stopped working" message when I start my Office application?

You don't know what Office 365 product or license you have

1. If you're not already signed in, go to http://admin.microsoft.com and sign in with your work or school account.

   If you use Office 365 operated by 21Vianet in China, sign in with your work or school username and password at https://login.partner.microsoftonline.cn.

   If you use Office 365 Germany, sign in with your work or school username and password at https://portal.office.de.

2. From the browser header, go to Settings > My app settings > Office 365.

   

3. On the My account page, select Subscriptions.

   

   There you’ll see the services that you're licensed to use, such as the latest desktop version of Office, SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business, and Exchange Online. If you don't see The latest desktop version of Office in the list, your admin probably hasn't assigned an Office license to you.

   If you're an admin, see Assign licenses to users in Office 365 for business.

   For more information, see What Office 365 business product or license do I have?

Troubleshoot help for Outlook, Skype for Business, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint

The content of this article is specific to Office installation issues. Try these articles if you're looking for troubleshooting help for these Office 365 services:

• Outlook Help

• Skype for Business Help

• OneDrive for Business Help

• SharePoint

Contact us

If you're still having trouble installing Office, contact your Office 365 admin. If your admin can't find a solution for you after using the information on the Office 365 admin tab, he or she can contact support on your behalf. You can also try the Community forums.

Leave us a comment

We value your feedback. Please let us know if you found any of these solutions helpful by leaving us a comment below. If it didn't, tell us more about your issue, including any error messages your received and where you were in the install process when you received it. We'll use that information to help investigate your issue further.

Try this first

To help with issues you may encounter when installing Office, download the Support and Recovery Assistant for Office 365 tool.

Recovery tool didn't help? Select from below:

Admins should also see the Office for business tab for more general Office installation issues.

I'm an Office 365 admin and don't have an option to install Office, Project, or Visio

When you first sign up for Office 365 for business and you try to install Office (or Project or Visio if you also have a subscription for those apps) you might see a message that says you can't install Office because you don't have a license. This could happen because of a delay between your initial sign in and Office 365 for business setting up your environment. Try signing out of Office 365 and then signing back in.

It could also happen because you haven't assigned a license to yourself or your users. Do the following to check your licenses.

Check that you have a license

1. If you're not already signed in, go to http://admin.microsoft.com and sign in with your work or school account.

   Note: If you're unable to sign in with your work or school account, you may be signing in to the wrong Office 365 service, see Where to sign in to Office 365.

2. From the browser header, go to Settings > My app settings > Office 365.

   

3. On the My account page, select Subscriptions.

   

   You’ll see the services that you're licensed to use, such as the latest desktop version of Office, Project, Visio, SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business, and Exchange Online. If you don't see The latest desktop version of Office in the list (or Project or Visio if you bought plans with those applications), see Assign licenses to users in Office 365 for business.

Not all Office 365 subscription plans come with the fully installed Office applications. See the bottom of the Office for business column for a list of those plans that don't include an installed version of Office. If your organization has one of these Microsoft 365 plans, as the admin, you can switch to a different Office 365 plan or subscription, or in addition to the subscription you already have, buy another Office 365 for business subscription for those users who require the full version of Office.

If you're not sure what plan you have, follow the steps in What Office 365 for business subscription do I have? For a comparison of plans, see Office for business.

I recently switched Office 365 plans and now get messages I can't use Office

If you or the users in your organization see Account Notice or Unlicensed product errors in Office, they need to install the version of Office that comes with the new Office 365 plan, and then uninstall the version that came with the previous plan. Learn how in “Account Notice” appears in Office after switching Office 365 plans.

Office is taking very long to install

If you or your users find Office is taking a very long time to install, try installing using an offline installation. See Use the Office 2016 offline installer and select the Office for business tab. These steps show you how to download the installer file which you can then use to install Office offline on a PC at your convenience.

How do I install the latest version of Office on more than five computers?

You can activate Office on up to five computers per user. If a user needs to install Office on a sixth computer, you have to deactivate an installation. Deactivation doesn't remove Office from the computer, but you can't use Office on that computer until you activate it. See Deactivate Office 365 if you see a "limit reached" error.

How do I get the rest of my organization set up with Office 365 for business?

To help you set up your organization, see Set up Office 365 for business – Admin Help.

Upgrade users in my organization to the latest version of Office

If individuals in your organization are using an older version of Office, we recommend you upgrade to the latest version. See Upgrade users to the latest Office client.

How do I deploy Office to multiple computers in my organization?

If you’re an IT Pro and you want to deploy Office in your organization, use the Office Deployment Tool to download the Office software to your local network. You then deploy Office by using the software deployment method you typically use.

You can also choose to have users sign into the Office 365 portal with their work or school account and follow the steps in Install Office on your PC or Mac to install Office themselves.

How do I manage licenses for people in my organization?

Users need licenses to install Office and to use Outlook, SharePoint Online, Lync Online, and other services. As the Office 365 for business admin, you're responsible for Managing user software in Office 365. You assign licenses to new users when creating new accounts, or add licenses to existing users, see Assign licenses to users in Office 365 for business. To remove licenses from users, see Remove licenses from users in Office 365 for business.

If you need more licenses, see Buy licenses for your Office 365 for business subscription. To remove a license from your subscription, see Remove licenses from your Office 365 for business subscription.

Activate volume license editions of Office

There are two types of activation methods for volume editions of Microsoft Office: Multiple Activation Key (MAK) and Key Management Service (KMS). For help activating these editions, see Activate volume editions of Office.

View status of your services

As an Office 365 admin, you can check Office 365 service health.

Troubleshooting help for Outlook, Skype for Business, or OneDrive for Business

This article is for Office installation issues. The links below are specific to admins looking for troubleshooting help with these Office 365 services. For more general (not admin specific) help in these areas, see the Additional help section on the Office for Business tab of this topic.

• Outlook (for email issues)

• Skype for Business

• OneDrive for Business

• SharePoint sites

Contact support

If you're still having issues, admins can Contact Office 365 for business support.

Leave us a comment

We value your feedback. Please let us know if you found any of these solutions helpful by clicking Yes or No next to Was this information helpful, below, and leaving us a comment. If you are still having problems, tell us more about your issue, including any error messages your received and where you were in the install process when you received them.