Word Wont Activate Even When I Have An Annual Subscription (An unknown error has occurred. The error code is: 0x0)

RG 25 Reputation points
2026-07-23T07:28:16.0533333+00:00

Tried using word today and noticed it required me to activate. This was weird as I have an annual subscription, which, checking on the microsoft website, is still very much active. When I try to sign in to activate, it says: An unknown error has occurred. The error code is: 0x0

I also cannot seem to update word, as an unexpected error has occurred when I keep trying to update it.

I'm using a 2022 M1 Macbook Pro with Monterey 12.3.

Really need to start using my products, and right now my subscription is being paid without me being able to use it for some random and unknown reason when it was working perfectly fine a couple of days ago.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | MacOS
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Answer accepted by question author
DaveM121 932.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-07-23T08:02:34.73+00:00

If your version of MacOS is Monterey, then the error you are seeing is caused by an update on the 13th of July, many people are seeing the exact same error (0x0) if you are unable to upgrade your MacOS to a newer compatible version, your Office apps will go into Read Only mode, on the link below the full details on that update are provided.

https://support.microsoft.com/office/update-microsoft-365-or-office-on-your-macos-or-ios-device-f418ae5d-bb5f-4078-b3d9-9340f5dd084e

The last version of Office that will work on MacOS Monterey is 16.88, that is available on the long table on this link to all the downloadable versions from the Microsoft servers, you will need to completely uninstall Office before installing that version of the Office apps.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac

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