Locked out of my paid account

If the subscription is already paid through September 2026, Word is usually seeing the wrong account, an old license state, or a subscription that still needs to be refreshed.

Try this in order:

1. Check the subscription status online
   • Go to Services & subscriptions: https://account.microsoft.com/services
   • Sign in with the Microsoft account tied to the Microsoft 365 purchase.
   • Under Microsoft 365, confirm it shows as active and review the renewal or expiration date.
2. Check payment status
   • Go to Payment options: https://account.microsoft.com/billing/payments
   • If the payment method shows an error, update it.
   • A declined or expired card can cause the Account Notice or deactivation behavior.
3. Close all Office apps and sign back in with the correct account
   • Close Word and all other Office apps.
   • Reopen Word.
   • Go to File > Account.
   • Sign out of every account shown.
   • Sign back in using the same Microsoft account that shows the active Microsoft 365 subscription on the Services & subscriptions page.
   • If Word shows Reactivate, select it.
4. Restart the device and open Word again
   • This can refresh the subscription state after renewal or account changes.
5. If the subscription was renewed through a retail box or card, enter the product key
   • Payment alone does not start the subscription until the product key is redeemed or the link in the email receipt is completed.
   • Use Microsoft365.com/setup if the renewal came from a store purchase.
6. Use Word for the web if work is urgent
   • Go to microsoft365.com or Office.com and use the web apps while the desktop app activation issue is being fixed.
7. If the subscription shows active but Word is still blocked, contact Microsoft Support
   • This is the recommended next step when renewal is active but the apps still do not install or reactivate correctly.

What happens if nothing is fixed: Office can go into reduced functionality mode, where documents can still be opened and printed, but not edited or created.

References:

• Office error "Account Notice: We've run into a problem with your Microsoft 365 subscription"
• Problems renewing a Microsoft 365 subscription
• A subscription notice appears when I open a Microsoft 365 application
• I have paid my subscription but my word documents are locked. - Microsoft Q&A
• I've already paid for my renewal but keep getting a notification on Word - Microsoft Q&A
• What's the difference between a paid Microsoft 365 subscription and the free web apps?