How to fix the TPM has malfunctioned error 0xC0090016
This Trusted Platform Module error points at a communication breakdown between Windows and the TPM hardware, blocking sign-in to Microsoft 365 and Teams. Jump to your situation below or work through the methods in order.
By Neeraj Singh ~6 min Updated Jun 2026 88% found this helpful
Error message
0xC0090016. Your computer's Trusted Platform Module has malfunctioned. Communication with the TPM hardware failed.
Summary
Error 0xC0090016 is a Trusted Platform Module has malfunctioned error that points more squarely at a communication failure between Windows and the TPM hardware, seen when signing in to Microsoft 365, Teams or Outlook. Because it leans toward the chip's connection and state rather than just cached credentials, the fixes give more weight to the TPM itself: confirm the TPM is present and ready in tpm.msc, reinstall the TPM driver, clear the TPM to reset its keys, and update the TPM firmware through a BIOS update. Stale Office credentials can still contribute, so clearing those and reconnecting the work account remains worthwhile. If the TPM does not appear ready even after these steps, a firmware update or a vendor check is the next move.
What this error means
The TPM is a chip Windows talks to over a defined interface. 0xC0090016 indicates that conversation failed, Windows could not get a usable response from the TPM, so the sign-in that relies on TPM-protected keys could not complete.
A failed conversation can come from a stuck TPM state, a driver problem, or outdated firmware, which is why the fixes centre on the chip: check it is ready, reinstall its driver, clear it, and update its firmware. Clearing stale credentials helps the cases where the request, not the chip, was the problem.
Common causes
A communication failure between Windows and the TPM.
The TPM is not initialised or not ready.
A problem with the TPM device driver.
Outdated or mismatched TPM firmware.
Stale cached Office credentials.
A stuck TPM state needing a clear.
Expert insight
“0xC0090016 reads more like a hardware handshake gone wrong than a credentials hiccup, so I weight it toward the chip. First stop is tpm.msc to see if the TPM is even present and ready, and Prepare the TPM if it is not. Then I reinstall the TPM driver, clear the TPM to reset its state, and update the firmware through a BIOS update. I still clear the Office credentials because that is free and sometimes that was the real issue, but the chip gets most of my attention here.”
Manager, Tech Support & Operations · 19+ years fixing Windows and system errors
✓ How to fix it
Method 1
Check the TPM is ready
1Press Win+R, run tpm.msc, and check the status shows The TPM is ready for use.
2If it says it is not ready, choose Prepare the TPM and follow the prompts.
3Restart and test sign-in.
Method 2
Reinstall the TPM driver
1In Device Manager, expand Security devices, right-click Trusted Platform Module, and Uninstall device, then Scan for hardware changes to reinstall it.
2This clears a driver-level communication problem.
3Restart afterwards.
Method 3
Clear the TPM
1Open Settings, Device security, Security processor details, Security processor troubleshooting, and choose Clear TPM (or run tpm.msc, Clear TPM).
2This removes corrupt TPM-stored keys; back up anything protected by the TPM first.
3Restart and sign in again.
Method 4
Update the TPM firmware and BIOS
1Install the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware from your PC or motherboard maker, which includes TPM firmware updates.
2An outdated or mismatched TPM firmware causes these errors.
3Confirm the TPM is ready afterwards in tpm.msc.
Method 5
Clear stale Office credentials
1Open Credential Manager (Control Panel, or search), select Windows Credentials.
2Expand and Remove the entries for MicrosoftOffice16 and any Microsoft 365 or work-account credentials.
3Close it, restart, and sign in again so fresh credentials are created.
Method 6
Reconnect your work or school account
1Open Settings, Accounts, Access work or school.
2Disconnect the affected account, restart, then add it back and sign in.
3This re-registers the device and refreshes the TPM-backed keys.
0xC0090016 points at the TPM connection, so weight the fixes toward the chip: confirm it is ready in tpm.msc, reinstall its driver, clear it, and update the firmware through a BIOS update. Clearing stale Office credentials is still worth doing, but the hardware and firmware get priority for this code.
Frequently asked questions
What does TPM error 0xC0090016 mean?
It is a Trusted Platform Module has malfunctioned error pointing at a communication failure between Windows and the TPM hardware, seen when signing in to Microsoft 365, Teams or Outlook.
How do I fix 0xC0090016?
Confirm the TPM is ready in tpm.msc, reinstall the TPM driver in Device Manager, clear the TPM to reset its keys, and update the TPM firmware through a BIOS update. Also clear stale Office credentials.
How do I check if the TPM is ready?
Run tpm.msc. If the status is not The TPM is ready for use, choose Prepare the TPM and follow the prompts, then restart and try signing in again.
Does clearing the TPM lose data?
It can remove TPM-stored keys and anything protected by them, so back up first and note your BitLocker recovery key before clearing the TPM.
How do I update TPM firmware?
Install the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware from your PC or motherboard maker, which includes TPM firmware updates. Outdated firmware is a common cause of TPM communication errors.
Could it be the credentials after all?
It can. Stale Office credentials sometimes cause this too, so clearing them in Credential Manager and reconnecting your work account is still worth trying alongside the hardware fixes.
Still not working?
If the TPM will not show as ready even after a driver reinstall, a clear and a firmware update, the chip may be disabled in firmware or genuinely faulty. Confirm the TPM (PTT or fTPM) is enabled in UEFI, and if it still fails, raise it with your PC vendor. You can also submit your error to us for a tailored fix.
