If you are seeing the “Microsoft Office version deprovisioned” error on your Windows 11 computer, it means your Office license is no longer active or recognized. This can prevent you from using Office apps like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
Don’t worry, this issue is quite common and can often be fixed with a few simple steps. Understanding why this happens can help prevent it in the future.
This guide will walk you through easy-to-follow solutions, starting with the most basic checks and moving toward more advanced fixes if needed.
By the end, you should be able to use your Office apps without interruptions.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks
- Check your internet connection: Office activation requires a stable internet connection to verify your license.
- Confirm your Office subscription status: Make sure your Microsoft Office subscription or license is active and not expired.
- Sign in with the correct Microsoft account: Use the account linked to your Office purchase or subscription.
- Windows updates: Ensure your Windows 11 system is up to date, as some fixes depend on system updates.
Step 1: Restart Your Computer
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches. Restarting your PC refreshes system processes and can resolve license verification issues.
- Click on the Start menu.
- Select the Power button.
- Click Restart.
- After rebooting, open any Office app and check if the error persists.
Step 2: Sign Out and Sign Back Into Office
Signing out and back in refreshes the license status by reconnecting your Office apps with your Microsoft account.
- Open any Office application like Word or Excel.
- Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select Sign Out.
- Close the Office app completely.
- Reopen the app, then sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your Office subscription.
Step 3: Run Microsoft Office Activation Troubleshooter
Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can diagnose and fix activation problems automatically.
- Click the Start menu and open Settings (gear icon).
- Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Scroll down to find Microsoft Office Activation or similar.
- Click Run next to it and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 4: Repair Microsoft Office Installation
Repairing Office can fix corrupted files that might cause license or activation errors.
- Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
- Type
appwiz.cpland press Enter. This opens the Programs and Features window. - Find Microsoft Office in the list of installed programs.
- Right-click on it and select Change.
- Choose Quick Repair first, then click Repair. Follow the prompts.
- If the issue persists, repeat and select Online Repair (this takes longer but is more thorough).
Step 5: Reinstall Microsoft Office
If repairing doesn’t help, uninstalling and reinstalling Office can reset all configurations and license data.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Office, click the three dots next to it, and select Uninstall.
- Follow the prompts to remove Office completely.
- Restart your computer.
- Go to office.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and download the latest Office installer.
- Install Office and sign in with your license-linked account.
Alternative Method: Use Command Prompt to Reactivate Office
Advanced users can try reactivating Office using the command prompt. This can reinitialize the license tokens.
- Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
- Navigate to the Office installation folder. For example, for 64-bit Office on 64-bit Windows, type:
cd "C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice16"Or for 32-bit Office on 64-bit Windows:
cd "C:Program Files (x86)Microsoft OfficeOffice16"- Run the following command to force activation:
cscript ospp.vbs /actThis script attempts to activate Office using your current license information. Wait for the confirmation message.
FAQs
Why does the “version deprovisioned” error happen?
This error typically occurs when Office cannot verify your license. It can happen if your subscription expired, if you signed in with the wrong account, or if there are issues with the activation service.
Can I still use Office if the version is deprovisioned?
Usually, Office will switch to a reduced functionality mode, allowing you to view documents but not edit or create new ones until the issue is resolved.
Will reinstalling Office delete my documents?
No, uninstalling and reinstalling Office does not delete your personal files. However, it’s always good practice to back up important documents before making major changes.
Do I need to be online to fix this error?
Yes, an internet connection is generally required to verify and reactivate your Office license.
What if I bought Office as a one-time purchase, not a subscription?
The troubleshooting steps are similar, but ensure you are signed in with the Microsoft account that owns the license.
When Nothing Works
If none of the above steps fix the “Microsoft Office version deprovisioned” error, consider these final options:
- Contact Microsoft Support: Visit Microsoft Support for personalized help.
- Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant: This tool can diagnose and fix Office activation problems automatically. Download it from here.
- Check for multiple Office versions: Sometimes, having more than one Office installation can cause conflicts. Uninstall all versions and reinstall only the one you need.
Conclusion
The “Microsoft Office version deprovisioned” error on Windows 11 is frustrating but usually fixable with a few straightforward steps. Always start with simple solutions like restarting your PC and signing back into Office. Then move on to repairing or reinstalling the software if needed.
Maintaining an active subscription or valid license, using the correct Microsoft account, and keeping Windows updated helps prevent this error in the future. If all else fails, Microsoft’s support resources are there to guide you.
Following this guide will help you get back to using your Office apps smoothly and without interruption.