Printing Problems

Fix Microsoft Word Bullet Points Printing as Squares on Mac

Huda Qurayshi Oct 10, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where bullet points in Word documents print as empty or black square symbols on a Mac.

How to Fix Word Bullet Points Printing as Squares on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Mac / macOS Sonoma
Scenario: Printing a document containing bullet points from Microsoft Word on a Mac computer.
Observed behavior: Bullet points appear correctly on the screen but print as square blocks or unrecognizable symbols.

Before you start

Save your document and ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection, as you may need to download a macOS software update to resolve this known compatibility issue.

Solution 1Recommended

Update macOS to Version 14.1 or Later

The most effective fix for this specific bug is installing the macOS Sonoma 14.1 update, which patches the font rendering issue.

This is predominantly a macOS compatibility bug rather than a printer hardware issue. Apple has addressed the font rendering malfunction in the macOS Sonoma 14.1 release.

Open System Settings

Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'System Settings'.

Check for Updates

Navigate to 'General' in the left sidebar, then click on 'Software Update' and wait for your Mac to check for available updates.

Install the Update

If macOS Sonoma 14.1 or a newer version is available, click 'Update Now' and follow the on-screen prompts to install the update and restart your Mac.

Update Complete: Once your Mac reboots, open your Word document and try printing again. The bullet points should now print correctly.

Solution 2

Change the Bullet Point Font Manually

If you cannot update your operating system immediately, changing the font used for the bullet points can bypass the rendering error.

Solution 3

Print TrueType Fonts as Graphics

Changing how your printer processes fonts can prevent compatibility errors between Word and the printer driver.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Flawless Printing on Mac

Since this bullet point printing issue is tied to Microsoft Word's compatibility with macOS Sonoma, switching to WPS Office can help you print your documents perfectly without waiting for patches. WPS Office is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for Mac from the official website or the Mac App Store.
2. Open Your Document: Right-click your existing .docx file, select 'Open With', and choose WPS Writer.
3. Print Without Errors: Click the Print icon or press Command + P to print your bullet points correctly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats, ensuring your lists and formatting stay intact.Stable printing performance on macOS without the persistent font rendering bugs.Free to use with a familiar, user-friendly interface for seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my bullet points look fine on the screen but print as squares?

This occurs due to a rendering miscommunication between Microsoft Word and macOS Sonoma. The specific font symbol used for bullets on the screen isn't translated correctly to the print spooler, resulting in empty square blocks.

Do I need to reinstall my printer drivers to fix this?

No, this specific issue is a software compatibility problem between Word and macOS Sonoma, not a printer hardware or driver failure. Updating macOS or changing the bullet font is the recommended solution.

Can saving the Word document as a PDF fix the bullet point issue?

Yes. As a temporary workaround, you can go to File > Save As and select PDF. Opening and printing the resulting PDF file often bypasses the Word-to-printer font rendering glitch.

Document & File Issues