Copilot Stopped Working

Follow these steps to restore Copilot functionality after the Windows update:

1. Run the Copilot troubleshooters
   • Open the Get Help app in Windows.
   • In the search bar, type Copilot License Troubleshooter and run it. Follow all prompts and apply any fixes it suggests.
   • Then, in Get Help, type Copilot connectivity troubleshooter and run it to check for firewall or network blocks.
2. Verify Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps
   • If Copilot is missing or disabled in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or other Microsoft 365 apps, follow the steps in How to find and enable missing Copilot button in Microsoft 365 apps. This is the primary resolution path for:
     • Copilot button missing or grayed out.
     • Errors such as “Couldn't update license… Error code: 29” or “Something went wrong. Let's try again.”
3. Refresh license (Mac or Web, if applicable)
   • On Mac Microsoft 365 apps:
     1. In any app (Word, PowerPoint, etc.), select the app name menu at the top (for example, Word).
     2. Select About <app name> → More Info... → Refresh License.
     3. Close all documents and restart all Microsoft 365 apps.
   • On the web:
     • Refresh the browser page.
     • If Copilot still does not validate, enable third‑party cookies as described in the Copilot license validation guidance.
4. Check privacy and policy settings
   • In Word on Mac: Word → Preferences → Privacy.
     • Ensure Experiences that analyze your content is turned on.
     • Ensure All connected experiences is turned on.
   • If this is an organization-managed device, ask the Microsoft 365 admin to confirm that Copilot is not blocked by organizational policies and that the Copilot app is allowed (for example, in Teams Admin Center for Teams Copilot scenarios).
5. Confirm license and account status
   • If Copilot is missing or failing license validation:
     • Ensure the account is assigned a user-based Microsoft 365 Copilot license (Copilot is not available with device-based licensing or Shared Computer Activation).
     • Ensure the update channel for Microsoft 365 Apps is Current Channel or Monthly Enterprise Channel, not Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel.
     • Avoid being signed in simultaneously with both personal and work/school accounts in the same app/browser profile, as this can cause license conflicts.
   • If a new Copilot license was recently added or changed, allow time for license propagation and then retry.
6. If issues persist
   • For home users: after completing the above steps, use the Get Help app or the support contact path in the Copilot license validation article to reach Microsoft Support.
   • For business users: contact the Microsoft 365 admin and request that they:
     • Verify the Copilot license assignment.
     • Confirm Copilot is not blocked by policies.
     • Open a support ticket with Microsoft if the problem continues.

These steps address the common causes where Copilot stops working, including license validation issues, missing buttons, connectivity problems, and policy blocks.

References:

• Copilot troubleshooters
• Copilot is missing, disabled, or doesn't work correctly
• How to find and enable missing Copilot button in Microsoft 365 apps
• I am getting license validation errors with Copilot