Why is Microsoft Word Not Responding on Mac (Macintosh)?

MS Word or Word is a word processor developed by the company Microsoft. The first MS Word edition was released in October 1983. This tool was developed for Xenix systems but now you can use MS Word on almost every platform. Word is like an essential tool for every computer. This basic tool is necessary for performing various tasks. If your Microsoft Word not opening then you should fix it immediately.

Common causes of getting Microsoft word not responding Mac error

There can be numerous causes that can get you into Word errors. However, we have jotted down the common causes here:

• Your program file gets damage
• Your data file gets corrupted
• You are using an incompatible add-on
• You have deleted your program file mistakenly

Common solutions for fixing Microsoft Word not opening error

Try opening Word on safe mode

In safe fore, try to load your application without any kind of template or application and check whether it is running correctly or not. Here are the steps for using MS Word on safe mode:

1. Open your Windows PC
2. Go to search menu and select run
3. You can also press Windows and R key simultaneously
4. Now type winword/safe on the run bar
5. Hit the OK button
6. Press and hold the Ctrl key and double click on your Word shortcut
7. Now your Word is open on the safe Mode (You can see on the top of the Window)

If your MS is running without any error in the safe mode then your Word is absolutely file and you are dealing with other errors. You can try disabling utility tools, add-ons, or repair registry entries for fixing the error. But if your Word is not working on safe mode then there is some issue on your Word.

Disable add-ons

If you are sure that your Word is fine and you are dealing with other errors then disabling add-ons can be helpful in fixing Microsoft Word won’t open on Mac error. Here are the steps for disabling add-ons:

1. Open the file menu and navigate to Options
2. Now click on Add-ins
3. Click on Go Button
4. Go to COM Add-ins dialog box
5. Now clear all the checkboxes
6. Hit the OK button
7. Close the dialog box

Now again try to access your Word. If now you are able to use the Word then you are getting the error due to add-ins. Now you have to enable one add-in at a time and then open Word until you get the faulty one. Once you get the faulty add-on, repair it. Now restart your device and check whether your error gets resolved or not.

Use MS Office Application Recovery

MS Office Application Recovery is a very helpful feature as it can fix various errors in your MS Office suite. You don’t have to fix them manually; this tool will find out the error and fix it automatically. Now follow the given steps to use MS Office Application Recovery tool:

1. Go to the start menu
2. Click on All programs
3. Navigate to Office Tools
4. Click on MS Office Application Recovery
5. You will get a list of currently running Office application; click on Word
6. Hit the Recover Application button

This tool will recover your document and fix your error easily. If you are still getting Microsoft Word keeps crashing Mac errors then you should seek other solutions.

Repair your Disk Permissions

Many people are unaware of the issue that you can also get into Word not responding Mac error when you have installed a corrupted Office program on your device. If your Word is corrupted then you should fix it immediately. Go to Finder and click on applications. Choose Utility and then launch your Disk Utility component. Click on the drive where you have installed your MS Office and then click on the First Aid button. Hit the confirm button and run the disk repairing tool. Now restart your device and check whether your Microsoft Word not opening Mac error gets troubleshot or not.

Try deleting the Auto recovery folder

MS Word Provides an auto-recovery folder that ensures that the user can easily recover his deleted or lost data. But sometimes the auto-recovery folder of MS Word also gets the user into Mac related errors and the Word stops working on your device. When the Mac shows you a running error with MS Word; you should check for the auto-recovery folder. Remove the folder from your device and then run the MS Word on your Mac. You can delete the auto-recovery folder from your Mac by following the mentioned steps:

1. On your Mac, go to the Finder
2. Click on the Folder tab
3. Tap on the library and search for the preferences folder for MS Word
4. Navigate to the Auto recover folder
5. Now move the folder to the trash
6. Close the tab and now check for the MS Word related error on your Mac.

Update your Mac Word

Your MS Word can also show the errors while running on your device when you are using the outdated version. The outdated MS Word not only shows you an error but lacks in various new functions. When the Word shows you an error while running on a Mac device then you should immediately check for the new updates for Word. If the update is available then install it on your Mac and then you can easily use Word on your device. Open your MS Word on the device and click on Top tab. Now select the Help option and tap the Check for Updates button. If the new update is available for Mac then it will start installing on the system. Wait for completing the Word updates on your Mac and then restart your device. Now run Word on your device and check whether it is working on a Mac device or not.

Try resetting the default Word preferences

The Word on your Mac can get into error when you have made some changes to the settings. Users sometimes make some invalid changes on the Word which gets into error. When your Word shows you the error; you should try resetting the Default Word preferences. If you are getting issues due to the changes then resetting will surely fix it. You can follow these steps to reset default Word preferences:

1. Close Word and all the programs
2. Right-click on your Mac Finder
3. Select the folder and search for Normal.dotm file
4. Remove the file from your device

Again go to the preferences and search for com. microsoft.Word.plist and com.microsoft.Office.plist files from your directory. Now you have to move both of the files to your desktop and make changes accordingly. After fixing the files; restart your Mac and try to run your Word.

Check the document name

Sometimes the error in Word while opening a file can appear when the user has saved the file with an invalid name. Check the name of your Word file. Make sure you haven’t saved the file with some invalid name like adding the special characters. If the name is invalid then rename the file to a simple and valid one and then try to open it on your Word.

Reinstall the Word on your Mac

If the Word is showing you the error due to missing or corrupted program files then you need to reinstall it. Editing the Word files manually is not simple. Uninstall the Office setup from your Mac and then install a new setup from the Office website. Now try running Word on your device. If the Word is still showing errors on the Mac then you should ask the Office technical team for help.

Many people also get similar errors when you are working on an outdated Mac version. So, whenever you get any error on your device; make sure your device is updated. If no solution works then you should reinstall Word on your Mac.

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