| Fix Method | Difficulty | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Windows Credential Manager | Low | High |
| Office Account Sign-out/Sign-in | Low | Medium |
| Online Office Repair | Medium | High |
What is the PowerPoint Credential Manager Login Error?
The PowerPoint credential manager login error is a common authentication glitch where Microsoft Office fails to recognize your stored login data. This usually manifests as a persistent “Sign In” prompt or an error message stating “Your credentials have expired.”
This issue typically occurs because the Windows Credential Manager has stored corrupted or outdated tokens. When PowerPoint attempts to verify your license, the mismatch between the local cache and the Microsoft server causes the login loop.
Security updates, password changes, or migrating to a new Microsoft 365 subscription are frequent triggers for this specific error. Clearing these old entries is the most effective way to restore functionality.
Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Clear Stored Office Credentials
Removing the cached identities from your system forces PowerPoint to create a fresh, valid connection to the Microsoft servers.
- Close all open Microsoft Office applications.
- Open the Control Panel and navigate to User Accounts > Credential Manager.
- Select Windows Credentials.
- Scroll down to the “Generic Credentials” section.
- Look for all entries containing
MicrosoftOffice16_Data:ADALor similar. - Click the drop-down arrow next to each and select Remove.
2. Clear Office Identity via Registry (Advanced)
If the standard credential removal fails, you may need to clear the Identity key in the Windows Registry. Ensure you back up your registry before proceeding.
# Path to the Identity folder for Office 365/2016/2019
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\IdentityDelete the Identities folder within this path, then restart your computer and attempt to log in to PowerPoint again.
3. Disconnect Work or School Accounts
Sometimes Windows “remembers” an old work or school account that conflicts with your current PowerPoint login.
- Go to Windows Settings > Accounts.
- Select Access work or school.
- Find the account you are having trouble with and click Disconnect.
- Restart PowerPoint and sign in manually.
4. Perform an Online Repair
If the error persists, the Office installation files themselves might be corrupted, affecting the authentication module.
- Right-click the Start button and select Apps and Features.
- Search for Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office in the list.
- Click Modify and select Online Repair.
- Follow the prompts and wait for the process to finish before restarting PowerPoint.