Microsoft word subscription

Michelle Dunwoodie 0 Reputation points
2026-11-06T23:38:04.6666667+00:00

I have a current Microsoft 365 subscription but I am unable to use Microsoft word on my Mac. I have installed the newer version but it is still not working

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest

  1. AI answer

    2026-11-06T23:38:21.2433333+00:00

    On Mac, the first checks are subscription status, macOS version, and Office update level.

    1. Confirm the subscription is active:
      • Sign in to Services & subscriptions with the Microsoft account used for Microsoft 365.
      • Microsoft 365 should appear as active.
    2. Check whether the Mac meets the current requirement:
      • For the current licensing/update fixes on Mac, Office requires macOS 12 or later.
      • If the Mac is on an older version of macOS, Office can go into reduced functionality mode, where files can open and print but cannot be edited or saved.
    3. Update Office:
      • Close all Office apps.
      • Open Finder > Applications > Microsoft AutoUpdate.
      • Select Update All.
      • If Microsoft AutoUpdate is not visible there, check /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0/.
      • If Office was installed from the App Store instead, open App Store > Updates and update Word and the other Office apps there.
    4. Test Word again after updates complete.
    5. If the subscription is active and Word still does not work after updating, a full uninstall and reinstall of Office is a documented workaround reported in a similar Mac scenario.
    6. If the Mac cannot be updated to macOS 12 or later, the practical option is to use Microsoft 365 for the web on that device, because the desktop apps may remain in reduced functionality mode.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.