In some cases, this error also appears in volume-licensed editions when activation servers are unreachable. When triggered, Office switches to a reduced functionality mode, limiting editing and other features until the issue is resolved. Now that you know the causes, let’s go through the solutions to fix it.
1. Running the OSPPREARM.exe as Administrator (3–5 Times)
The OSPPREARM.exe (Office Software Protection Platform Rearm) is a Microsoft tool that resets the activation grace period and clears any cached licensing data. This can help resolve activation errors caused by corrupted tokens or configuration issues. Running it multiple times (3–5 times) gives Office a fresh start and extends the trial period before you need a valid key.
2. Rearming Using Command Prompt
If running OSPPREARM directly doesn’t work, you can do it via Command Prompt. This provides elevated access and bypasses restrictions from background services or antivirus software that may block the tool.
3. Permanent Fix: Activate Office with a Valid License
While the rearm process can temporarily restore functionality, it is not a permanent solution. You can only rearm up to five times, after which the trial expires. To fix the issue permanently:
Purchase a genuine Microsoft Office license or subscription (Office 365/Microsoft 365).Sign in with the correct Microsoft account linked to your Office purchase.Check your internet connection and ensure your firewall or antivirus isn’t blocking Office activation servers.Contact Microsoft Support if your account is licensed but still not activating.
Once properly activated, Microsoft Word and other Office applications will return to full functionality without further errors.
