Share via

How to fix the activation on my 365 windows subscription

Sandra Lessing 0 Reputation points
2026-04-27T18:01:59.05+00:00

My 365 subscriptions was sucessfully renewed in Feb 2026. Now after updates, I cannot seem to activate.

I now cannot use any of the apps. e.g. Word, Xcell, etc

please assist

******@gmail.com

User's image

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Other
0 comments No comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. EmilyS726 228.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-04-27T21:01:51.94+00:00

    Your Windows is not activated and looks to be running on KMS volume license.

    You can type cmd in the search on the taskbar and hit enter to launch command prompt, then run the following command:

    slmgr /dlv
    

    A pop up window will show you some details about your license. You can see if you mention volume license KMS somewhere.

    ===============

    Launch Powershell (note, it is not Command Prompt, but Powershell), and run this code to see if you have an OEM license on the motherboard.

    (Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingService -Property OA3xOriginalProductKey).OA3xOriginalProductKey
    

    If it returns a license key, it means your motherboard has an OEM license for Windows Home edition, but you need to do a clean install in order to use this OEM license to properly and legally activate your Windows Home.


  2. Sandra Lessing 0 Reputation points
    2026-04-27T18:09:52.7733333+00:00

    User's image

    I folowed the instruction for the Word app, but still unsuccessfull - Screenshot of error message

    0 comments No comments

  3. Q&A Assist
    2026-04-27T18:02:24.59+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    The screenshot shows an issue with Windows 11 Pro activation, but the question is about Microsoft 365 apps not activating after a subscription renewal. Use these steps focused on Microsoft 365 activation:

    1. Confirm the subscription is active
      1. Close all Office apps.
      2. Go to the Microsoft account Subscriptions page: https://account.microsoft.com/services.
      3. Sign in with the same Microsoft account used to buy the Microsoft 365 subscription.
      4. Under Subscriptions or Cancelled subscriptions, verify that the Microsoft 365 subscription is listed as active and not expired or cancelled.
      5. If it is expired, renew it, then restart the Office apps and test activation again.
    2. Update Microsoft 365 apps
      1. Open Word (or another Office app).
      2. Select File > Account.
      3. Under Product Information, select Update Options > Update Now to install the latest updates.
    3. Sign out of Office and sign back in
      1. In Word, go to File > Account.
      2. Under the user information at the top, choose Sign out for all listed accounts.
      3. Close Word.
      4. Reopen Word and select Sign in.
      5. Sign in with the account that has the active Microsoft 365 subscription (for home use this is usually a personal Microsoft account, not a work or school account).
      6. Check the activation status again on the Account page.
    4. Run the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter (Windows 10/11)
      1. On the same Windows PC where Microsoft 365 is installed, open a browser and start the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter using the Start button in the article under Microsoft 365: Use the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter.
      2. When prompted with "This site is trying to open Get Help", select Open.
      3. Follow the prompts in the Get Help app. When it finishes, review the results and apply any fixes it suggests.
    5. If Office still shows unlicensed or activation errors
      1. Make sure the correct edition is installed for the subscription:
        • If the subscription is Microsoft 365 for home, ensure that no conflicting older perpetual Office version (like Office 2016/2019/2021) is installed.
      2. If needed, use the Microsoft 365 Uninstall troubleshooter from the relevant article to completely remove Office.
      3. Restart the PC.
      4. Reinstall Microsoft 365 from the services and subscriptions page for the Microsoft account.

    If the subscription is through work or school instead of a personal subscription, verify in the What Microsoft 365 business product or license do I have page that a license is assigned, and contact the Microsoft 365 administrator if no license appears.


    References:

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.