Microsoft update

Install the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate package first, because Microsoft identifies a missing helper file or incorrect permissions as possible causes of this update error and recommends reinstalling AutoUpdate. ^1^

1. Repair Microsoft AutoUpdate

1. Quit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Save open work first.
2. Download the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate tool from Microsoft’s Office update page. ^2^
3. Open the downloaded installer package and complete the installation.
4. Open Finder → Applications → Microsoft AutoUpdate. If it is not there, check: Macintosh HD → Library → Application Support → Microsoft → MAU2.0.
5. Select Update All.
6. Restart Word after the updates finish.

Since the existing updater is producing the error, running it again before reinstalling AutoUpdate is unlikely to change the result. Your macOS Sequoia version is supported for current Office updates, so this is not the Monterey compatibility limitation described in some similar cases. ^3^

2. Investigate the two Word entries

Two entries do not necessarily mean there are two applications; AutoUpdate can list more than one Word-related update. Check whether two actual Word applications exist:

1. Open Finder → Applications.
2. Look for:
   • Microsoft Word.app
   • another Word copy, possibly in a Microsoft Office subfolder or with a modified name
3. Do not delete either copy until you identify how each was installed.

To identify the primary Word installation, open Applications → Utilities → Terminal and run:

mdls -name kMDItemAppStoreReceiptType \
  /Applications/Microsoft\ Word.app

Interpret the result as follows:

• kMDItemAppStoreReceiptType = (null) means that copy should be updated through Microsoft AutoUpdate.
• A receipt type of "Production" means it came from the Mac App Store and should be updated through App Store → Updates. ^2^

If you find that one Word copy came from the App Store and another from Microsoft’s installer, keep the copy that matches the rest of your Office suite. For example, if Excel and PowerPoint update through AutoUpdate, retain the Microsoft-installer version of Word rather than the App Store copy.

3. If Word updates but still cannot type

Open Word and check whether it asks you to sign in or activate Office. Sign in using the Microsoft account that owns the Microsoft 365 subscription. The inability to edit can be an activation or licensing symptom, separate from the update failure.

Also check Word → About Microsoft Word and compare its version with Excel → About Microsoft Excel. If Word is substantially older while Excel and PowerPoint are current, Word’s installation is likely the remaining problem.

4. Clean reinstall only if AutoUpdate repair fails

A reinstall is the fallback if AutoUpdate still reports errors or if conflicting Word installations remain.

Before proceeding, save documents and back up Outlook data if Outlook is installed. Microsoft warns that parts of the full removal procedure can delete Outlook data. You will also need a Mac administrator name and password. ^4^

1. Open Finder → Applications.
2. Select the Microsoft 365 applications, then right-click and choose Move to Bin.
3. Follow Microsoft’s full Mac uninstall procedure to remove the corresponding user Library containers and group containers.
4. Restart the Mac.
5. Reinstall Microsoft 365 from the Microsoft account that owns the subscription.
6. Sign in, install the latest AutoUpdate package, and run Update All.

Do not use the Windows Office removal troubleshooter on this Mac; Microsoft documents a separate manual uninstall procedure for macOS.

If the Mac is managed by an employer or school and the AutoUpdate installer requests permissions you do not have, contact that organization’s IT administrator. ^1^

References

1. Troubleshoot Microsoft AutoUpdate in Microsoft 365 and Office for Mac | Microsoft Support
2. Update Office for Mac automatically | Microsoft Support
3. Upgrade macOS to continue receiving Microsoft 365 and Office for Mac updates | Microsoft Support
4. Uninstall Office for Mac | Microsoft Support