Microsoft is currently investigating reports of “Product Deactivated” errors affecting Microsoft 365 Office apps.
The issue, which has sparked confusion among users, stems from licensing changes and administrative actions, as detailed in a support document released by Microsoft.
What’s Causing the Issue?
Users experiencing these errors have reported being prompted to reactivate their Office apps without clear reasons. According to Microsoft, the errors occur when:
- Users are moved between licensing groups (e.g., Azure AD groups or synced on-premises groups).
- Subscriptions are switched (e.g., transitioning from an Office 365 E3 license to a Microsoft 365 E3 license).
- Administrators adjust license or service plan settings or toggle the “Latest version of Desktop Apps” service plan.
- Admins remove and re-add users to license groups.
These scenarios can disrupt access, causing confusion and interruptions for affected users.
How to Fix It?
Microsoft has outlined several steps to resolve the issue:
- Reactivate via the Error Banner: Click “Reactivate” on the error banner and sign in when prompted.
- Sign Out and Restart: Log out of all Microsoft 365 apps, close them, restart, and sign back in.
- Verify Subscription Status: Administrators should ensure subscriptions are active by checking the Microsoft 365 subscription management portal.
If problems persist, Microsoft recommends contacting administrators or using the Office Licensing Diagnostic Tool to gather diagnostic data for further investigation.
