Applies ToExcel for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 Outlook for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Access for Microsoft 365 Publisher for Microsoft 365 Microsoft 365 for home

You might see a yellow warning bar across the top of an Office app with the following message:

"ACCOUNT NOTICE. We've run into a problem with your Microsoft 365 subscription and need your help to fix it.”

This message is often triggered by a problem with your Microsoft 365 subscription payment. For example, if your payment was declined due to an expired or cancelled credit card, your subscription may become expired or suspended.

Step 1: Make sure your Microsoft 365 for Home, Personal, or University subscription is active

  1. Close all Office apps.

  2. Go to your Subscriptions page.

  3. If prompted, choose Sign in and enter the Microsoft account email and password associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription.

  4. Review the details under the Microsoft 365 heading.

  5. If your subscription has expired, you can renew it by following the steps in Renew Microsoft 365 Family.

  6. After you renew your subscription, try restarting Word. If you still see the error, continue to the next section.

Step 2: Make sure your payment information is up-to-date

  1. Close all Office apps.

  2. Go to your Payment options page.

  3. If prompted, choose Sign in and enter the Microsoft account email and password associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription.

  4. If your payment method shows an error, update it.

  5. After you update your payment information, try restarting Word. If you still see the error, continue to the next section.

Step 3: Run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant runs on Windows PCs and can help you identify and fix activation issues with Microsoft 365.

  1. Select the button below to start the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter.

    Start

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

  3. Follow the prompts to troubleshoot your Office activation issue.

Important: 

  • Run the troubleshooter on the same Windows PC with the Microsoft 365 installation.

  • You need to be on Windows 10 or higher to run the troubleshooter.

Step 4: Deactivate, uninstall, and reinstall Office

If the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant didn't fix the problem, we recommend that you reinstall Office.

  1. Deactivate your Office install. To learn how, see Deactivate a Microsoft 365 install

  2. Use the easy fix tool to completely uninstall Office. To learn how, see Uninstall Office from a PC

  3. Reinstall Office. To learn how, see Reinstall Office on a PC or Mac

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.