How to Fix TPM Error in Office 365? (Error Code 80090016)

Published: October 14th, 2025 • 9 Min Read
If you find yourself unable to log into Microsoft 365 applications after a TPM Error in Office 365, you’re not alone. Users frequently encounter notifications about a “Trusted Platform Module has failed” or “device TPM problem Office 365” when they attempt to activate or access their accounts.
The Office 365 device TPM error usually occurs when the computer’s TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip fails to securely validate your credentials. In this case, the authentication and encryption processes will fail, and users will be unable to log in or activate their applications.
This article covers everything you need to understand what a TPM Error in Office 365 means and how you can fix the device TPM problem Microsoft issue permanently.
Understanding Device TPM Problem Office 365
The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a small hardware chip integrated into your computer and securely stores encrypted security keys and credentials that verify your identity and safeguard sensitive data.
When you receive an error message like the “trusted platform module has malfunctioned error code 80090016” or “TPM error signing into Office 365,” it indicates that Windows and TPM have lost the ability to communicate properly. This disconnects Microsoft 365 with the authentication keys, and you will end up with a login or activation error.
Common messages are:
- TPM error code 80090016 or 2146893802
- The Trusted Platform Module has failed.
- Microsoft Device TPM Issue.
- TPM Error in Office 365 after replacing the Motherboard.
The device TPM problem Office 365 issue usually happens after you have reset your BIOS, changed or modified a motherboard, or updated Windows. Because TPM is tied to the hardware in your device, any of those exceptions could break the chain associated with Microsoft 365 authentication keys.
Why Does TPM Error in Office 365 Occur?
Device TPM problem Microsoft (or Trusted Platform Module error) can happen when:
- The keys for the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) are corrupted, lost, or are mismatched.
- The BIOS or firmware for the TPM is outdated, corrupted, or preventing the activation from functioning correctly.
- The cached login tokens on the computer are incompatible with the new credentials.
- Your computer is not properly registered in Microsoft Entra ID.
- A hardware replacement or system reset has altered the configuration for the TPM.
If a TPM Error in Office 365 then Outlook, Word, and Excel apps might not open. In the most severe cases, you might not even be able to sign in. Therefore, you are unable to do your work, and you lose access to your data. Therefore, a critical step in resolving the TPM error code 2146893802 after motherboard replacement is to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
TPM Errors in Office 365 (or device TPM problem Office 365) caused by corrupt activation tokens.
Multiple Solutions to Fix Trusted Platform Module Error in Office 365
Use the approaches mentioned below to resolve the TPM error in Office 365:
Fix 1. Reset Office 365 Activation State
- Download and open the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA).
- Select Office Activation and follow the repair process.
In addition, staff with administrative privileges can run scripts such as OLicenseCleanup.vbs or WPJCleanUp.cmd to reset tokens. After you complete the task, restart the PC and sign back in to clear any activation errors caused by the TPM problem stemming from the office device.
Fix 2. Remove Cached Credentials
- Head to Control Panel >> Credential Manager enter Windows Credentials.
- Remove any credential entries related to Office, Word, or Outlook.
- Next, either go to Settings >> Accounts >> Access work or school and disconnect your Microsoft 365 account, or click on Access work or school >> sign-out, then restart and add an account.
This clears old tokens causing the TPM error when signing in to Office 365 or TPM error code 2146893802 sign-in message.
Fix 3. Clear or Reset the TPM Chip
If the TPM chip itself is malfunctioning, this can contribute to unrecoverable Office 365 device TPM problem.
- Open Settings >> Privacy & Security >> Windows Security >> Device Security.
- Select Security Processor Details >> Security Processor Troubleshooting.
- Select Clear TPM, and restart the system.
This simply resets the TPM configuration which resolves either the TPM error Windows 11 Office 365 and/or TPM error Windows 10 Microsoft 365.
Fix 4. Reconnect Your Device to Microsoft Entra ID
If your device is not fully registered with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), then the device TPM problem Office 365 will remain.
- Navigate to Settings >> Accounts >> Access work or school.
- Select disconnect your account.
- Restart your PC to fix TPM Error in Office 365.
- Now, select connect to Join this device to Microsoft Entra ID.
This will restart the device registration and hopefully clear the TPM error when signing into Office 365.
Fix 5. Enable TPM in BIOS
TPM settings that are disabled often trigger TPM error 2146893802 or trusted platform module error Office 365.
- Reboot your system pressing F2/F10/Delete to enter the BIOS.
- Navigate to Security >> TPM Configuration.
- Set TPM 2.0 to Enabled.
- Save and reboot.
Once you successfully have enabled TPM, Office will re-establish secure hardware communication with your machine.
Fix 6. Update the TPM Firmware and BIOS
Old firmware often results in TPM error Microsoft365 or device TPM problem Microsoft after motherboard swap can happen frequently.
- Navigate to Device Manager >> Security Devices >Trusted Platform Module.
- Right click >> Update driver.
- Restart your PC and check for firmware updates in the BIOS from your PC.
Pro Tip: Before You Troubleshoot, Protect Your Data
A TPM error in Office 365 can destroy your essential data like Outlook emails, OneDrive files, calendars, and contacts. In the extreme, the user can lose access to everything during activation resets or TPM clearing. Set your mind at ease and always get a full backup first to avoid this unpleasant experience.
If you are experiencing a device TPM problem in Microsoft, the safest first step is to simply use the BitRecover Office 365 Backup Software. A professional solution to ensure the contents of your entire Microsoft 365 account are protected, in the event of a fault with your TPM or activation error. Incase you face any issues, you can contact our support team.
Using BitRecover, you can:
- Backup all data (emails, calendars, contacts, OneDrive files, etc.).
- Export to a variety of formats like PST, PDF, EML, MBOX, MSG, and others.
- Eliminate data loss due to a TPM error in Office 365 or failure of the hardware.
- Automate backups regularly so you never have to think about loss of access again.
- Restore your data immediately after fixing your Microsoft device TPM problem.
Thousands of users use the tool to maintain a local, offline version of their data stored in Microsoft 365. In the event you experience a TPM error when signing into Office 365, your files can still be retrieved, even in the absence of TPM proof.
Don’t wait until it happens a second time. Backup today with the software to ensure your business continuity is not impacted by a TPM related fault.
How to Fix TPM 2146893802 Error with Advanced Tool?
To securely backup Office 365 to local storage prior to dealing with TPM Error in Office 365 issues, you will need to follow the below simple steps:
- First download and install the software on your machine.
- Next, open the software and log in to your Office 365 account.
- The software will load all of your mailbox folders from your account. Select the folders to back up, for example: Inbox, Sent, Contacts, Calendars, etc.
- Then select the export format you need (e.g. PST, EML, MBOX, PDF, MSG, etc.).
- Select Browse to choose where you want to store your backup on your machine.
- Once done, select Start Backup.
- Finally, when completed you will see a confirmation message with a backup log report for your reference.
Conclusion
Dealing with the TPM Error in Office 365 while using O365 can be frustrating, particularly when it stops you from accessing your emails and cloud files! However, you will find that you can easily and quickly resolve the issue by following the above steps. Just remember that the true fix for TPM error code 2146893802 is data protection.
The tool allows you to keep a complete offline copy of your entire Microsoft 365 account. So, in the event TPM fails again, you can still rest assured your data is safe, secure, and fully restorable.
FAQs: TPM Error Code 2146893802
Q1. What does the TPM Error in Office 365 mean?
This error occurs when Office applications have trouble communicating with the TPM chip installed in your device, and you are thus unable to log in or activate your Office apps.
Q2. Why do you get a TPM error when signing into Office 365?
A TPM error in Office 365 can happen when you have cached credentials, there are outdated drivers, or there are issues with device registration.
Q3. How to fix TPM error code 2146893802?
To fix TPM error code 2146893802, try clearing the TPM using Windows Security > Device Security, and restart your machine, and log back into Microsoft 365.
Q4. What to do if I’m getting a device Office 365 TPM error after motherboard replacement?
To fix the device Office 365 TPM error after motherboard replacement, first delete the old activation data, then re-enable TPM in your computer’s BIOS, and reactivate your Microsoft O365 applications.
Q5. When you get a TPM error in Outlook, can you access your mailbox?
Yes, the TPM error in Outlook can stop you from being able to access your mailbox. First back up your Outlook data with BitRecover (or similar) before troubleshooting.
Q6. Can I stop TPM errors from occurring?
To prevent future TPM errors, keep your Windows operating system and TPM firmware updated, and make sure to back up all of your Office 365 data regularly.
Q7. Is the TPM Error in Office 365 prevalent on either Windows 10 or Windows 11?
Yes, users will see the TPM error in Windows 10 or Windows 11 after system updates, or changes in hardware configurations.