New hire has an account but cannot reach Outlook or Teams
An M365 account without a license is an empty shell. Assigning takes a few clicks, but picking the right plan pays off long-term.
Try this first
- 1Go to admin.microsoft.com > Users > Active users > select the employee > Licenses tab.
- 2Tick the right plan (Business Basic for web-only, Standard for desktop apps, Premium if you want Intune and Defender) and save.
- 3Wait 5 to 15 minutes; the Exchange mailbox is created only then, and Teams access only becomes visible after.
- 4Have the employee sign out and back in on all devices so the license cache refreshes.
- 5Check admin center > Billing > Licenses to confirm available count; pricing rarely stays current, so verify that separately.
When to bring us in
If you are unsure whether Basic, Standard, or Premium fits the role: ask for advice. The wrong plan costs you twelve months or an expensive switch.
See also
- Employee left, but their email must be retainedPulling the license straight away starts a 30-day timer on the mailbox. The right route keeps access to the mail without paying for the license.
- We pay for licenses nobody usesBetween leavers, duplicate plans, and test accounts there is often 10-20% wasted license spend. A usage report exposes it fast.
- Which M365 Business plan fits us now: Basic, Standard, or Premium?The three tiers differ in desktop apps, security, and device management. As you grow or after a security incident this question surfaces.
None of the above fits?
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