Word freezes randomly on ipad air after recent update

Question

Word freezes randomly on ipad air after recent update

midas TH 5

Word suddenly freezes randomly, but most often within minutes. It does not unfreeze, i have to force shut down the app.

I have tried already these in several combinations: offloading, removing, reinstalling, signing out from all devices, accessing document from another source, airplane mode, general ipad word settings (turning off background refresh and siri etc), settings inside the document (turn off grammar check, use mobile view instead of print view etc), rebooted the system, removed files in case of memory/ram issue, update ipad, etc etc etc.

I highly doubt a factory reset of the ipad would magically solve this, as it definitely feels like an app update problem since this problem started after the update a few days ago, but that's about the only thing i have not done.

Is there a plan to fix this bug very soon?

It is a big problem since the app is unusable in this way and I don't want to waste my money on something I can't use.

EDIT: A new word app update seems to have solved it, fingers crossed :)

TJ Trapp 0 Reputation points

2026-09-28T14:52:34.47+00:00

My iPad Pro is doing the same thing. The new M% iPad Pro is freezing. My older m4 iPad Pro is not freezing. This behavior just started on the iPad. I have been using it for almost a year without any issues. I did just update to the new system.

2 answers

Your answer

TJ Trapp 0 Reputation points

2026-09-28T14:52:34.47+00:00

My iPad Pro is doing the same thing. The new M% iPad Pro is freezing. My older m4 iPad Pro is not freezing. This behavior just started on the iPad. I have been using it for almost a year without any issues. I did just update to the new system.

Answer 1

Lucus-V 13,985 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi midas TH,

Since the issue persists after the troubleshooting already completed, if possible, please consider performing a factory reset of the iPad (after ensuring all important data has been backed up) and then testing Word again before restoring additional apps and settings. This can help determine whether the problem is related to the device's software environment or the Word application itself.

Additionally, could you let us know whether the same behavior on another iPhone or iPad? This would help identify whether the issue is specific to this particular device or affects your account across multiple iOS devices.

Because the problem started shortly after a recent update, there is also a possibility that it is related to a temporary application issue introduced in that release. If no other cause can be identified, it may be worthwhile to wait a few days and check whether a newer Word update or hotfix becomes available, as these types of issues are sometimes addressed in subsequent updates.

Please let us know the results after testing, and we'll do our best to advise further within the scope of the community.

Lucus-V 13,985 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-22T15:45:43.42+00:00

Hi midas TH,

I hope everything is going well on your end. Just wanted to check in and see how things are going for you lately, anything you'd like to share or discuss?
midas TH 5 Reputation points

2026-09-23T09:08:09.2366667+00:00

i only have this ios and see other users having the same issue. i have not yet updated the ipad to the latest version and i see the issue remains for people regardless of ipad update but after the word update. i have never had an issue with word like this until word updared now which is why i highly doubt a factory reset solves it and would prefer to delay that as far as possible if i know there is a possible bug fix planned for word very soon.
Lucus-V 13,985 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-24T16:01:45.9833333+00:00

Hi midas TH,

Thank you for the additional information.

I completely understand your hesitation to perform a factory reset at this stage. If multiple users are seeing the same symptoms following the same application update, it does make it more difficult to justify such an invasive troubleshooting step, especially when there is no clear indication that the underlying cause is specific to your device.

Unfortunately, as this is a community forum, we do not have visibility into Microsoft's internal bug tracking system or product roadmap, so we cannot determine whether a fix is currently being developed or when it might be released.

Given the circumstances, a reasonable approach may be to continue monitoring for a few days and install any new Word updates that become available. If this is a regression introduced by a recent release, it is possible that Microsoft may address it in a future update once sufficient reports and diagnostic data have been collected.

In the meantime, I would still encourage you to submit feedback through the Help > Contact Support option in a Microsoft 365 app if you have not already done so. Reports submitted through official channels are more likely to reach the product team than posts in the community forum.

Thank you for providing the additional context, and please let us know if you notice any changes after future Word updates. That information may also help other community members experiencing the same issue.
midas TH 5 Reputation points

2026-09-25T10:58:27.3266667+00:00

Getting in touch with Microsoft seems impossible, I can't find anywhere to open a bug report or a live human chat without the landing pages being entirely empty, chat tabs non existent, or sending me back to this community hub or the Artificial "intelligence" chat, which then sends me on in the same loop again.

The suggestions hub seems to also not be read by anyone on microsoft but I have written there too.

Please, if you could somehow pass on the info about this freeze bug to the right place I would appreciate it greatly, so that someone is informed and could look into what's going on.

I can't afford the high cost of the subscription as it is and it is hard to defend keeping it if i can't even use it and nobody seems to care to repair it :(
Lucus-V 13,985 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-27T16:13:48.46+00:00

Hi midas TH,

First, I'm sorry to hear about the experience you've had. I can certainly understand why this would be frustrating, especially when Word was working normally before the recent update and you've already spent considerable time troubleshooting.

Unfortunately, as community moderators and contributors, we don't have a way to directly file bugs with the product team on a user's behalf, nor do we have access to Microsoft's internal bug tracking systems. This means we're unable to confirm whether the issue has already been reported, whether it is under investigation, or whether a fix is planned for an upcoming release.

That said, the additional context you've provided is valuable. If other users are reporting similar freezing behavior that began after the same Word update, that does lend weight to the possibility that this is a broader application issue rather than something specific to your iPad. Given that, I completely understand your decision to postpone a factory reset for now.

While I can't escalate the bug directly, your reports through Feedback and support channels are still the correct path, even if the process has been frustrating. Product teams do review telemetry, feedback submissions, and support cases when identifying widespread issues.

At this point, I think the most reasonable approach is to continue monitoring for new Word updates over the coming days and see whether the behavior changes after a subsequent release. If this is indeed a regression introduced in a recent update, the resolution would most likely come through an application update rather than through changes on your device.

Thank you for taking the time to document your findings and share them with the community. Even if we cannot directly escalate the issue, the information you've provided may help other users who encounter the same problem understand that they are not alone in experiencing it.

Answer 2

Mike S 5

I’m having the exact same issue right now. Just updated my iPad to newest IOS, word is freezing, crashing, I have to force close it. Having trouble saving documents. How can I fix this

Lucus-V 13,985 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-22T15:45:28.43+00:00

Hi Mike S,

If you have the same problem as the OP, please try troubleshoot steps and suggestions in this thread.

If you have other cause, please consider making a new thread so we can support you better.
Mike S 5 Reputation points

2026-09-22T17:28:40.8266667+00:00

I tried the trouble shooting and still have same issue
Lucus-V 13,985 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-24T16:02:40.6233333+00:00

Hi Mike S,

Please check out my last comment with midas TH.

We are sorry for any inconvenience may have caused and thank you for your understanding.