Microsoft office can't find your license for this application. a repair attempt was unsuccessful or was cancelled.

Anonymous
2013-05-14T07:38:18+00:00

I am getting the following error in Office 2013. My software is licensed but it gives this error and exit:

Microsoft office can't find your license for this application. a repair attempt was unsuccessful or was cancelled.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2013-05-31T03:51:10+00:00

Hi Michael, 

My problem was solved after restarting/starting SOFTWARE PROTECTION service in windows 8, that service was stopped and its behaviour was Automatic(Delayed Start). So i just start that service and error gone. YOu try this as well.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-02-02T17:25:35+00:00

    Reinstalling did not help, but rebooting always seems to work, as it did with you, Jerry. It's very occasional -- perhaps every couple of months it happens. My guess is that it's related to the Internet connection and MS can't confirm the license online so it gives that message. Rebooting might be just a way to get the connection sorted out. Or maybe the Software Protection Service just gets its act together after a reboot.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-09T10:20:26+00:00

    This solution is the only one that works and its hassle-free...at least for a while. As Girish M advises on another thread, take the following steps:

    1. Hold Windows key +R.

    Copy and paste, or type the following command in the Open box, and then press Enter:

    services.mscIf you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.

    1. In the Services list, double-click Software Protection.
    2. In the Software Protection Properties dialog box, click Automatic in the Startup type list.
    3. Click Start in the Service Status, click Apply, and then click OK.

    I had done the above previously and still have the problem recurring but less often. Was unable to upload a screenshot so you can see that  you will probably not be able to make the changes to the Software Protection Properties without rebooting. So jus save your work, reboot and BEFORE starting up any Office app, make the changes and reboot your system.

    Why does the Software Protection****service stop working? I'm searching Google for answers.  Stay tuned.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-25T03:22:54+00:00

    This didn't work because the box where you can change the behavior is grayed out. Ours is also Automatic (Delayed Start) but you can't change it or start it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-25T12:50:32+00:00

    Exactly the same screenshot. So just save your work, reboot and BEFORE starting up any Office app, make the changes and reboot your system.

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