Troubleshooting Microsoft Error 657rx

Quick Tips

• The Microsoft Error 657rx is connected to your PC’s login cache, so you can try using a different PC to log in.
• The error shows more often on work or school accounts, so you might be able to switch to a personal account if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription on it, then restart the app in question.
• Deleting the contents of the specified sign-in cache folders should not delete your Microsoft account or personal files, but you may need to sign in to your apps again.

The Microsoft error 657rx usually shows up when you’re trying to log into an Office app after you’ve changed your network, added a new account to the PC, or even changed your computer’s hardware (like swapping the SSD used for Windows). The error can also throw a code “2148073494” or suggest that your “credential is invalid.” The source of the problem is that the cached data that corresponds to your account no longer matches the system. Here’s how to fix Microsoft error 657rx.

Fix 1 – How to Fix Microsoft Error 657rx by Clearing the Office Login Cache

The error is related to sign-in authentication and may be caused by cached credentials or a problem with device registration. You can try clearing the relevant cache, which should not affect your personal files, although you may need to sign in to your apps again.

Step 1. Log out or quit all Office apps, including Outlook, OneNote, and Teams (which frequently minimize themselves or continue in the background).

You can do this by going to the Task Manager and using “End task” on all of these apps or checking that they are no longer in the expanded toolbar icons.

Step 2. Open File Explorer and overwrite the address in the top bar with the following:

%localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin_cw5n1h2txyewy

This opens the folder with Microsoft’s caches.

Step 3. Delete everything inside the folder.

This forces Microsoft to recheck all login forms, and you’ll be prompted to connect the account again if you enter a work or school account address.

Fix 2 – Reconnect a Work or School Account to Fix Microsoft Error 657rx

Most commonly, the issue is due to a managed account not having the same credentials as what’s saved in the cache, which can also happen if someone reset your password externally. You can remove the account, which resets its data on the PC, then add it back.

Step 1. Press Win + I to open “Settings,” then select “Accounts” in the left pane.

Step 2. Select “Access work or school.”

Step 3. If the affected work or school account appears in the list, select it and choose “Disconnect,” then confirm. Restart the PC.

Step 4. Return to Settings > Accounts > Add a work or school account and select “Connect” to add the account again. Follow the prompts to sign in.

In some cases, a managed laptop device might have the “Disconnect” button disabled. This was done by the administration or IT of your organization. You’ll need to contact them to get the issue sorted.

Fix 3 – Remove Saved Credentials to Fix Microsoft Error 657rx

If the issue also occurs with your personal account, the problem may involve cached credentials or the device’s authentication configuration. Hardware or device-registration changes can sometimes contribute to sign-in problems. You can try removing the relevant saved credentials and clearing the associated sign-in caches.

Step 1. Search for “Credential Manager” and open it.

Step 2. Select “Windows Credentials.”

Step 3. Under “Windows Credentials,” look for entries related to Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365, such as MicrosoftOffice16_Data:OATH, MicrosoftOffice16_Data:orgid, or entries containing your email address followed by _Data. Then, click on “Remove” for the credential and continue down the list.

Step 4. Open File Explorer and empty the contents of the following folders:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneAuth

%localappdata%\Microsoft\IdentityCache

Delete the contents of each folder.

Step 5. Restart the PC.

Final Option – Use the Office Troubleshooter

If none of these steps work, try the Microsoft Office troubleshooter in the Get Help app. If the problem is specifically related to Microsoft 365 activation, use the separate activation troubleshooter.

Once downloaded, follow its instructions to detect, remove, and reconnect a Microsoft account for Microsoft 365 apps.