For a personal device and personal subscription, use this checklist:
- Make sure the Microsoft 365 apps are signed in with the account that has the Copilot entitlement.
- For home users, that means a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription, or Copilot Pro.
- In new, unsaved files or files stored locally, the primary account shown at the top of the Microsoft 365 app must be the licensed account.
- Refresh the license.
- Windows: In any Microsoft 365 app, go to File > Account > Update License.
- Close and restart all Microsoft 365 apps afterward.
- Mac: In any Microsoft 365 app, select the app name menu at the top > About <app name> > More Info... > Refresh License.
- Close open documents and restart all Microsoft 365 apps.
- Update Microsoft 365 to the latest build.
- On Windows, install Office updates.
- On Mac, update Office for Mac automatically.
- If Copilot is missing in the web apps, refresh the browser page.
- If it still does not appear, enable third-party cookies because blocked third-party cookies can prevent license validation.
- If using Mac, check privacy settings.
- Open Word > Preferences > Privacy.
- Confirm Experiences that analyze your content is turned on.
- Confirm All connected experiences is turned on.
- If the license validation error continues for a home account after these checks, contact Support.
If the error message is gone but Copilot still does not appear in the apps, follow the missing Copilot button steps.