Unable to use Word

On macOS Monterey 12, Word 16.65 is below the supported build mentioned in the provided guidance, and that can cause activation problems such as error 0x0 and reduced functionality. A practical path is:

1. Update Office first
   • Close all Office apps.
   • Open Finder > Applications > Microsoft AutoUpdate.
   • Install all available updates.
   • Then reopen Word and test activation again.
2. Match the install source to the purchase source
   • If the Microsoft 365 subscription was purchased through Microsoft, install Office from the Microsoft 365 apps page.
   • If it was purchased through the Apple App Store, install/update Office from the App Store.
   • A mismatched install source can prevent activation from completing correctly.
3. If Word still shows activated incorrectly or keeps prompting
   • Quit Word.
   • Open Spotlight Search and launch Keychain Access.
   • Search for Office and delete the data license file.
   • Then run the license removal tool.
   • Restart the Mac.
   • Open Word and activate again.
4. If activation says the wrong license is attached
   • Remove the Office license files and reactivate so Word uses the correct Microsoft 365 license.
5. Important version note for Monterey
   • The provided guidance states Monterey support requires a newer Office build than 16.65. If Microsoft AutoUpdate does not bring Word to a supported version, reinstall Office from the correct source and then update again.
6. If nothing changes
   • As a temporary workaround, Word documents can still be opened in reduced functionality mode, and Office on the web is available through Office.com.

Because Excel is working, this points more to a Word-specific activation/license state on the Mac rather than a subscription problem with the account itself.

References:

• What to try if you can't install or activate Office for Mac
• Unknown Error 0x0 or License not found error in Microsoft 365 or Office running on macOS
• Error code 0x0 appears on word documents - Microsoft Q&A when I open word documents it won't it won't let me edit them. if I open the bar saying there is subscription problem and needs to be activated. error code 0x0 comes up. I apparently have active subscription but if I try to update it dosnt work
• A subscription notice appears when I open a Microsoft 365 application