Office 365 - Can't sign in to Microsoft Office, access Microsoft Outlook, or interact with Microsoft data files

If you are unable to sign into Microsoft Office (or Outlook repeatedly prompts you for login, does not show any data, edit a Word/Excel/PowerPoint data file, or receive encrypted connection error) it may be due to a NetID password change, a NetID change, or corrupted account credentials. Follow some common solutions to this issue below.

•  Option 1 - Update your software to the latest version

  • Windows OS

    Run Windows Update and install the latest updates.

    Windows Office

    Follow steps to update Office.

    Mac OS

    Run Office Updates.

•  Option 2 - Your account was compromised and you are blocked from connecting
  • Review your client protocols. If your client protocols are disabled, contact the DoIT Help Desk.

•  Option 3 - Reset/Remove your account credentials from within your OS

  • Windows OS

    Remove/Delete all Outlook/Office records from within credential manager.

    Mac OS

    Access the keychain application and remove/delete any of the following records: Microsoft Office Identities Cache 2 | Microsoft Office Identities Settings 2 and any ADAL, Microsoft, or Office entries that are listed within the "Name" or "Kind" columns. Note: search for 'microsoft' and 'adal' within the keychain application and delete all returned results. Detailed steps.

•  Option 4 - Delete license files - MacOS only
  • Remove license files on a Mac.

•  Option 5 - You are not authenticated into Office using your UW-Madison Office 365 account
  • Confirm you are authenticated with your Office 365 account.

•  Option 6 - If your computer is not connected to UWNET/Campus network, use WiscVPN
  • • Windows & Mac OS

•  Option 7 - Download and run Microsoft's Support and Recovery Assistant for Office 365

  • Windows OS

    Note: Only available for Windows. This tool must be run on the affected machine.

    Download the tool here: Fix Outlook and Office 365 problems with Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant for Office 365.

•  Option 8 - Delete Cached Preferences

  • Mac OS

    Note: Only available for Mac OS.

    •  Outlook Desktop Client

      • Delete Cached Preferences

        1. Quit Outlook
        2. Open Terminal (click the Spotlight search glass in the top right corner and type terminal).
        3. Type: defaults delete com.microsoft.Outlook (to delete the old preferences).
        4. Type: killall cfprefsd (to kill the cached prefs).
        5. Quit Terminal.
        6. Launch Outlook and check.

•  Option 9 - Fully uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office

  • Uninstall Office

    Windows OS

    Review the following Microsoft documentation for instructions.

    Mac OS

    Review the following Microsoft documentation for instructions.

    Install Office

    Follow steps outlined in Office 365 - Download/Install Office 365 document.