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.
Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | 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.

0 comments No comments

120 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2016-09-16T03:55:34+00:00

    hello , I've been trying to figure out what was the problem but none wont work please fix this problem when ever I try to use Microsoft word , excel , PowerPoint , etc. it says " Microsoft office cannot verify the license for this product . You should repair the office program by using Control Panel . Please fix this problem as soon as you can . Thank you for your time .

    Was this answer helpful?

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-15T11:02:20+00:00

    YOU SIMPLY RESTART YOUR COMPUTER.

    Was this answer helpful?

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-15T09:35:22+00:00

    I am so sick of this whole program windows 10 plus office 365 this is a brand new computer with pre installed programs that I paid extra for ,I did not expect to be having continuous problems ,I am losing work because of this and it is costing me time and effort ,everyone I have spoken regrets buying into this windows program system ,I do hope we will be told when the problems are fixed ,maybe those who have experienced should get together and start a class action to recover the amount of money and business they have lost because of the problems associated with these programs

    Was this answer helpful?

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2016-09-15T10:46:38+00:00

    Wow just got done writing a paper about to save and I get this message. Unfortunately it didn't auto save. Thanks its now 3:45am and I guess I wont be going to sleep after all. When someone asks me what keeps me awake at night... #Microsoft.

    Was this answer helpful?

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2016-09-15T19:52:31+00:00

    The workaround doesnt work and office is being held hostage after months of working fine. 

    I did a full online repair which took me to 2040, still had error, updated, error, restarted, error, administrator, error.

    How am I supposed to work when I cant edit the documents. It had a valid license for months and now I lose a day because of your DRM?

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments