Office365 Abruptly Updated and New "Update License" Option Appears- Unsure What to Do

I just checked my Dell laptops again and it does not have the 'Update License' message. I was incorrect in that it does have a TPM2.0 chip.

It has not updated to the last Microsoft 365 release. It's still on Version 2401 Build 17231.20182 C2R.

The laptop just updated to 17231.20194 C2R and now the 'Update License' message is there. No other changes. It's a bug in the latest release. Hopefully Microsoft is paying attention and fixes it in the next update.

Thanks GreatMachine!

My MacBook Pro and iMac Pro each started displaying the 'Update License" message on the same day, following Office software updates. As in your case with Microsoft 365, the Office Home and Business 2021 for Mac product is not behaving as though it's unlicensed. It's currently Version 16.81.2 (24012814) on my iMac. The version on my MacBook is currently 16.81 (24011420) following an attempted reinstallation of a December 2023 release 16.80 which was prior to the "Update License" situation. During yesterday's reinstallation, the installer package mysteriously "upgraded" to January release 16.81 (24011420), which displays the "Update License" issue.

It's not a simple process to do a complete removal of all elements of the Mac Office software and reinstall it. To be foiled in my effort by the Installer software autonomously "updating" the product to a later version than I set it up for is quite peculiar and disturbing, The ball is squarely in Microsoft's court as far as I'm concerned.

I am now seeing this on multiple computers. I initially thought it was being triggered just on Dell PCs that have run the just released TPM2.0 Firmware Update. It did happen immediately on one Dell PC after running that update. Update License was not there, ran the TPM2.0 update, rebooted and the message immediately appeared.

I just checked my own Microsoft 365 license (non Dell PC) and the same message is now there. I am also signed in on a Dell laptop that had a BIOS update yesterday but no separately listed TPM2.0 update. (Laptop has a TPM1.2 chip)

If you click on 'Update License' and enter your associated email it then does nothing except say you are activated.

So far Microsoft 365 does not act like it's unlicensed.

Microsoft 365 Build 17231.20194 C2R

Hi HamAndHands,

Unlike your Microsoft 365 product., my Microsoft Home and Business 2021 for Macs products are not subscription-based (e.g.,)where there are periodic (annual?) payments to use the software. My Office software are stand-alone, one-time purchases with no recurring subscription payments involved. That said, since approximately mid-January 2024, I am seeing a "Update License" link under the Word, Excel and PowerPoint "About" menu drop-down. Here's a sequential series of screen shots that illustrate what happens next ....

"Update License" link appears ....

Clicking on link opens pop-up window to "Sign in" to verify ....

This opens window to "Activate Office" ...

Don't have a work or school account and select my Personal account (which exists, is legitimate, and has my 2 licensed Office products ...

Clicking on the Personal Account selection immediately returns a pop-up stating "Couldn't update license Error code: 44"

I can log into my Microsoft account and see my 2 Office Home and Business 2021 products and download them to reinstall the software successfully. In an effort to resolve the Update license Error code: 44 issue, I have removed and reinstalled the software multiple times. I have also used the License Removal tool to delete the licenses and then reinstalled them. So far, nothing has worked, and I've spent many hours over many days without any signs of success. I am still able to use all of the Office for Mac applications without issue. Other Mac users have been experiencing the same Update License issue with error code 44. over the past week or two, and haven't been able to solve the problem.

You are the first person I've seen who's encountered the same "Update License" issue, but on a PC, rather than on a Mac. In my opinion, this is a cross-platform issue and is the result of a recent software update deployed by Microsoft. I do not anticipate that efforts by end-users will be able to resolve this Update License issue. Microsoft engineers will need to be engaged to solve this.

I am purely on PC, I have no Mac products; one important detail is whether or not inputting your Microsoft credentials into the "Update License" option actually does anything for you?

like I said, clicking Update License and then putting in my associated Microsoft details, absolutely nothing happens. not even after an Office365 restart or computer restart, on both devices

is this also your experience?