Unable to Complete Initial Activation for Office 2021 or 365 Preinstalled on a Dell Computer

Office 2021 or 365 users may report that they are unable to complete the initial activation. They may be prompted for a Product Key, but Dell does not offer any Products Keys if the Office purchased is a Digital Licensed version (Figure 1). A Digital Licensed version of the Office software does not require any Products Keys during initial activation.

Figure 1. Office 2021 or 365 prompting for a product key

Affected Software:

• Office 2021
• Office 365

They may be promoted for a key as the Office installer does not detect the license associated to the computer.

Workaround 1: Use Microsoft Fix It.

1. Download the Microsoft FixIt tool .
2. Extract the downloaded cssemerg97275.zip file.
3. Double click the cssemerg97275.diagcab.
4. Click Next when you see "Troubleshoot and help prevent computer problems".
5. Click Next when you see "Find a Fix or workaround for new Issue 97275".
6. The issue is detected and fixed automatically.
7. Click Close the troubleshooter when you see the result. If the issue persists, go to the next workaround.

Workaround 2: Uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office, then complete the activation for your Office 2021 or 365.

1. Follow the steps to uninstall Office:
   • Uninstall Office from a PC
2. Follow the steps to reinstall Office:
   • For Inspiron, XPS, Alienware users: Download and install or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on a PC or Mac
   • For Vostro, Latitude, OptiPlex, Precision users: Reinstall Office from the Microsoft Store app
3. Follow the steps to activate Office:
   • Activate an Office purchase or free offer on a new PC