Microsoft Office: Error 0x80072EFD: The server cannot be accessed

Last update: 04/10/2024
We Couldn

The Microsoft Office activation error 0x80072EFD student "We were unable to contact the server" is supposed to occur in Office 365, Office 2016 and different variants of this system.

As mentioned above, Microsoft Office activation error 0x80072EFD usually appears with a message saying “We were unable to contact the server. Please try again in a few minutes.”

In some cases, Microsoft Office is disabled after replacing Home Windows Home, and when opening a Microsoft Office file, error messages appear such as "Unlicensed product," "Disabled product," or "Sorry, something went wrong, please try again later."

This issue can also occur if you try to activate Office 365 on a computer that has previously had an older model of Microsoft Office installed.

So, let's check out one of the strategies that can be recognized to fix Microsoft Office activation errors on a Windows PC.

1. Run Office as administrator

Microsoft Office may not be enabled on your computer due to permission points. To fix this, simply try running any Microsoft Office program (Phrase, Excel, Energy Stage) as an administrator.

Sort the Microsoft Office program title in the search bar > right-click on the Workplace Program in the search results and click on the Run as administrator option.

Run Microsoft Word as Administrator

In the pop-up window of the statement, click Sure to run the problematic Microsoft Office program as administrator.

2. Adjust the date and time on your laptop

Microsoft Office activation may fail if your computer's date and time settings are not correct.

Press the Time and Date button located in the taskbar and click on Adjust date and time in the menu that appears.

  How to remove a specific update in Windows 11: the ultimate guide

Option to set date and time in Windows 10

If the date and time icon is missing on your PC, click Start > Settings > Time and Language.

On the next screen, make sure your Time Zone is appropriate and the Date and Time as shown are appropriate.

Date and time zone settings screen in Windows 10

If the time is not right, you can discuss it with this text: Learn how to put a gradual or incorrect clock on the laptop window at home

3. Clear DNS and renew IP

The problem may be a result of community connection points.

Open Command Prompt as Admin > command ipconfig /launch and load the entry button . This will initiate the process of obtaining your computer's precise IP address.

ipconfig launch command on windows

Next, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter > type ipconfig /renewal and press Enter to resume your PC's IP configuration.

Close the command prompt and try activating Microsoft Office on your PC.

4. Test your Microsoft Office subscription

Open a web browser on your computer and go to the Office 365 portal (https://portal.office.com). Sign in to your Microsoft account using the email address and password linked to your subscription.

Make sure you have a Microsoft Office subscription in good standing or present on your consumer account.

5. Restore Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office not working on your computer may be related to data corruption in the program.

Open the management panel > switch to the "Giant icons" view and click on Program and options.

Programs and Features option in Windows 10 Control Panel

On the next screen, right-click on Microsoft Office and click the Restore button in the context menu.

Repair Microsoft Office program in Windows 10

Once the restore procedure is complete, restart your computer and check if the Microsoft Office activation error still appears on your computer.

6. Disable proxy servers

If you are using a proxy server ( VPN ), the Microsoft Office activation error may be due to an incorrect configuration of proxy connections or because the Microsoft website cannot connect to your proxy server.

  Practical examples of using nice, renice and ionice in Linux

To check, disable your proxy server and see if you can activate Microsoft Office.

Go to Settings > Community & Network > select Proxy in the left panel. In the right panel, disable Mechanically detect settings located in the "Computer proxy settings" section.

Disable proxy servers in Windows 10

On the same screen, scroll down and turn off the Use a proxy server option in the section of the handbook dedicated to proxies.

7. Quickly disable an antivirus program

In general, the antivirus program installed on your computer may end up blocking Microsoft websites, which causes Microsoft Office activation errors.

To check, briefly disable your computer's antivirus program and see if this helps resolve the Microsoft Office activation error on your computer.

Click on the Antivirus program icon in the system tray and click on Disable automatic shielding.

Disable the automatic protection option in the Norton Antivirus program

Next, choose the time interval until you need to disable the Antivirus program and press OK.

Disable automatic antivirus protection on a Windows PC

8. Uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office

Uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Office is another methodology that has helped some customers fix the Microsoft Office activation error.

Open Management Panel > switch to Giant Icons view and click Program & Options.

Program options and functions in the control panel

On the next screen, right-click on Microsoft Office and click Uninstall.

Uninstall Microsoft Office

After uninstalling Microsoft Office, restart your computer and reinstall the Microsoft Office program on your computer.

  • Learn how to fix Microsoft Excel No Reply error in Dwelling 10 home windows
  • Learn to use Microsoft Excel in Chromebook
Javier Chirinos

Javier Chirinos

My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.

I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com

I am also an expert in online communication and marketing, and I have knowledge of WordPress development.

  Complete guide to creating and running a Windows mini service from System32