Fixing error message "out of memory or disk space" in Word for Mac

Stephens, Robert 15 Reputation points
2026-03-05T13:56:47.2466667+00:00

I am working on documents that I am not able to save. The error message indicates that I am out of memory or disk space. The MacBook Pro I am using is new and has ample space.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For education | MacOS

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  1. AI answer

    2026-03-05T13:57:11.78+00:00

    The error usually indicates a problem with available disk space, temporary files, or the save process, not necessarily that the Mac itself is full.

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Install the latest Office for Mac updates
      An outdated build can cause save and autosave failures.
      1. Open Word (or any Office app).
      2. On the Help menu, select Check for Updates.
      3. Under How would you like to check for software updates?, select Automatically.
      4. Choose how often to check, then select Check for Updates and install anything offered.
      5. Quit and restart Word and try saving again.
    2. Try saving to a different location
      The error can be triggered by issues with the current folder or volume:
      • Save the document to the local Desktop or Documents folder instead of a network drive, external disk, or synced folder.
      • If it already is local, try another local folder.
    3. Free up working space and temporary files
      Even with ample total disk space, temporary files or other apps can interfere with Word’s save process:
      • Close other applications to reduce memory and file‑system activity.
      • Empty the Trash.
      • If the document is very large or has many images, try saving a copy with a new name.
    4. If the error mentions a “serious disk error” or a ~Word Work File … .tmp file
      This indicates a failure while Word is creating or replacing its temporary work file during save/autosave. Updating Office (step 1) is the primary fix. If it still occurs after updating:
      • Restart the Mac, reopen Word, and try again.
      • If the problem persists with multiple files, contact Microsoft Support as suggested in the documentation.

    If none of the above resolves it, fully reinstalling Office for Mac after updating macOS and confirming backups of documents is recommended.

    References:

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  2. Anonymous
    2026-03-05T14:41:26.6066667+00:00

    Hi Stephens, Robert, 

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Forum! Have a good day and I hope you're doing well! 

    I understand how frustrating it can be when you’re working on important documents and suddenly can’t save them, especially on a new Mac with plenty of storage available. Let’s work through this together. 

    First, could you please let me know where you’re currently saving the file?  Are you saving it locally on your Mac, or to a cloud location such as OneDrive, iCloud, or another cloud-synced folder? 

    If you’re saving to OneDrive, please try the following: 

    • Quit OneDrive completely 
    • Reopen OneDrive 
    • Make sure you are properly signed in and that it shows as syncing normally.

    Sometimes this error can be related to a sync or connection issue rather than actual disk space. 

    1. Try saving to a different location 

    Please go to File > Save As, then: 

    • Save the file to your Desktop 
    • Or another local folder on your Mac (avoid cloud locations) 

    If the file saves successfully there, the issue may be related to the original save location or that specific folder. 

    2. If the file might be corrupted 

    If the issue persists, please try: 

    1. Open the document 
    2. Select All (Cmd + A) > Copy 
    3. Create a new Word document 
    4. Paste the content into the new file 
    5. Try saving it 

    This helps determine whether the original file itself may be corrupted. 

    To help me assist you more effectively, could you please let me know: 

    • Which macOS version you are currently using? 
    • Which Word version (for example, Microsoft 365, and the build number)? 
    • Are you able to edit and save documents successfully using Word on the web? 

    The first set of steps may not resolve the issue immediately, so I truly appreciate your patience and effort in working through this. These details will help us narrow down the cause and determine the most appropriate troubleshooting steps. 

    Please try the steps above and let me know how it goes. Also feel free to share the additional information requested so we can gain more insight. If I’ve misunderstood anything or if anything is unclear, please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime. I’m here to help. 

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.  

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  3. Cheryl Thomas 0 Reputation points
    2026-04-01T18:34:25+00:00

    I'm using a brand new MacBook Air. Trying to save to my documents. Using Microsoft 365. Tried copying to a new file with no luck. Also tried saving to one drive. Not a fan.

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