Sign in required – Your device is having problems with your work or school account

The notification “Sign in required – Your device is having problems with your work or school account” popped up? Many Windows 11 and 10 users encounter this problem frequently in corporate, academic, and hybrid work environments. The error blocks your access to Microsoft services, which include Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, and other Office 365 applications that use your work or school account. The solution to resolve this problem requires only basic steps. This guide shows you three easy methods to resolve the “Your device is having problems with your work or school account” issue.

Why Does “Sign in required” Error Occur?

Several factors can lead to the “sign-in required” work or school account problem:-

• Windows Credential Manager contains corrupted credentials that users have saved.
• Expired authentication tokens.
• Microsoft applications, including Outlook and Word, experience improper sign-in or sync problems.
• The latest password update did not propagate to all devices.
• Conflicts between personal and organisation-linked accounts.

Fix Sign in required – Your device is having problems with your work or school account

Fix 1: Sign Out from Microsoft Apps (Outlook or Word)

Your Microsoft apps, such as Outlook and Word, may retain old login sessions, which result in the error.

1. Start the Microsoft Office application that you are currently logging into.

2. Click File > Account.

3. You can find the Sign out option under User Information in the account section.

Completely close the application following your sign-out procedure.

4. Again, return to Outlook or Word and log back in with your new work or school authentication details.

The process removes stored login credentials from the cache, which makes the app obtain a new token.

Method 2: Re-login to Your Work or School Account

You can resolve the error by removing your account and then adding it again.

1. To access Settings, users should press Windows + I. Navigate to Accounts > Access work or school from the Settings window.

The section displays all work and school accounts that are connected to the system.

2. Select the account that displays the error notification. Click on Disconnect, then confirm. The temporary disconnection of your account can be achieved by using this method.

3. Your device’s restart will help erase stored session data from memory.

4. Return to the same section, then select the + Connect option. Sign in to your work or school account using your credentials after selecting the appropriate account.

The procedure fixes both token mismatch and session expiration errors.

Method 3: Reset Windows Credential Manager

Windows Credential Manager functions as a storage system for saved login credentials. The corruption or outdated state of any stored credentials leads to sign-in and sync problems.

1. Open Credential Manager by pressing Windows + S to search for it.

The Windows Credentials section shows all saved logins that pertain to Windows and Microsoft services.

2. Check for saved entries containing Microsoft Office terminology and your organization’s domain name and the email address associated with your work account. Select Remove from each entry that corresponds to your work account.

3. After the removal of the entries, you need to restart your device to let the changes activate. Sign in again with your work or school email to create a new connection after the prompt appears.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

#1 Why does Windows keep saying “Sign in required” for my work account?

The issue occurs because of expired login tokens, corrupted credentials, or conflicts between Microsoft apps and your device.

#2 Is it safe to remove credentials from Windows Credential Manager?

You can remove work or school account credentials without affecting other account credentials. The process helps to reset both outdated and corrupted login credentials.

#3 Will I lose data if I disconnect my work or school account?

Disconnection of the account creates a temporary separation between your account and Microsoft services. Your files, together with your apps, stay completely unaffected. You can reconnect anytime.

#4 What if the error persists even after trying all fixes?

The issue may stem from server-side problems or organization-level policies in exceptional situations. Contact Microsoft support and your IT administration team for additional assistance.

That’s it!