FIXED: Error: “Microsoft Office cannot find your license for this application” and application closes in Office 2016 (Build: 16.0.7167.2040)

Anonymous
2016-09-14T21:33:54+00:00

Issue:

When opening an Office application, you may see the following error message:

"Microsoft Office cannot find your license for this application. A repair attempt was unsuccessful or cancelled. Microsoft Office will now close."

IMPORTANT: This error appears if you have this Office 2016 build: 16.0.7167.2040. If you don’t have this specific version and you’re getting this error, or you’re getting a different error, we recommend you create a new post. To check your Office version, choose the Uninstall a program option in the Windows Control Panel, find your Office program in the list and check the version number.

Status: Fixed

This licensing issue has been resolved in Office 2016 version 16.0.7167.2055 or later. To get the latest update, please run an online repair of Office 2016:

  1. Restart your computer. Don’t open any Office applications when you’re back on your desktop.
  2. Run an online repair of Office from the Control Panel.

IMPORTANT: Please choose the Online Repair option instead of Quick Repair. If you run Quick Repair, the latest build version doesn’t get installed. 3. Restart the computer again and open the Office application. 4. Click File > Account, and verify the Office version under Office Updates in the Product Information section. It should be a newer version than 16.0.7167.2040.

If you’ve done the above step and you continue to get the same error message, please do the following:

  • Choose the Uninstall a program option in the Windows Control Panel, find your Office program, and check the Office version.
  • If the Office version isn’t 16.0.7167.2040, create a new post with the error you’re getting along with the exact Office build version.
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  1. Anonymous
    2016-09-17T15:59:31+00:00

    Hi Jo,

    I've updated the original post with the following option to update Office via Run application. Please try if this works and report back if it doesn't. We really want to help everyone having this issue.

    If you're unable to update via File > Account because the Office application continues to close, try updating via Run:

    1. Open the Windows Run application:
      • In Windows 10, in the search bar located to the left of the Task bar, type "Run" and press Enter.
      • In Windows 8, go to the Start screen, type "Run" and press Enter.
      • In Windows 7, click the Windows button to go to the Start menu, and in the search bar, type "Run" and press Enter.
    2. In the Run application, type the following and click OK:

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user 3. The Office Updater will run in the background. Once complete, open the Office application and verify the Office version via File > Account.

    If you're continuing having issues with updating Office, do an Online Repair, see section Repair Office from the Control Panel.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-17T15:58:07+00:00

    Hi Kay,

    I've updated the original post with the following info. You can try updating via manually running Office ClickToRun Updater via the Run application:

    If you're unable to update via File > Account because the Office application continues to close, try updating via Run:

    1. Open the Windows Run application:
      • In Windows 10, in the search bar located to the left of the Task bar, type "Run" and press Enter.
      • In Windows 8, go to the Start screen, type "Run" and press Enter.
      • In Windows 7, click the Windows button to go to the Start menu, and in the search bar, type "Run" and press Enter.
    2. In the Run application, type the following and click OK:

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user 3. The Office Updater will run in the background. Once complete, open the Office application and verify the Office version via File > Account.

    If you're continuing having issues with updating Office, do an Online Repair, see section Repair Office from the Control Panel.

    Please let me know if this works. We'll try other solutions if this continues to be a problem. Again, on behalf of the Office team, we apologize for this issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-17T15:56:24+00:00

    Hi John,

    I've updated the steps on the original post. Try updating via Run:

    If you're unable to update via File > Account because the Office application continues to close, try updating via Run:

    1. Open the Windows Run application:
      • In Windows 10, in the search bar located to the left of the Task bar, type "Run" and press Enter.
      • In Windows 8, go to the Start screen, type "Run" and press Enter.
      • In Windows 7, click the Windows button to go to the Start menu, and in the search bar, type "Run" and press Enter.
    2. In the Run application, type the following and click OK:

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user 3. The Office Updater will run in the background. Once complete, open the Office application and verify the Office version via File > Account.

    If you're continuing having issues with updating Office, do an Online Repair, see section Repair Office from the Control Panel.

    Please report back if you're still having an issue with updating Office.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-09-17T15:56:01+00:00

    OK. I sick of this stupid workaround advice. how can you open an application to update if you cant even put in the license key to get the program to run in the first place. Fix this damn issue! I have been trying to get office on my computer for days now. this should be simple exercise, not this prolonged painful experience. what's the point of making all these smart updates on your software if you cant even open the damn thing!

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-09-17T15:34:13+00:00

    Issue:

    When opening an Office application, you may see the following error message:

    "Microsoft Office cannot find your license for this application. A repair attempt was unsuccessful or cancelled. Microsoft Office will now close."

    This issue impacts customers who are in the Office version 16.0.7167.2040.

    Status: Workaround

    Our engineering team is actively working on a fix. If you are experiencing this licensing issue, please try following the steps below

    1. Reboot Windows (restart your computer).
    2. Open any Office application (Word, PowerPoint for example)
    3. Update to the latest Office version (16.0.7167.2060or later) by going to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.

    We apologize for the inconvenience. We'll update this post when we have a final fix released out to our customers.

    Suggested workaround did not work.   I was not given the opportunity to pick anything!!  Microsoft, where are you!

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