File Cannot Open

Fix Word Document Was Deleted or Is Inaccessible Error on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

A user is unable to open a saved Word document on their Mac after restarting the computer, receiving an error message indicating the file is deleted or inaccessible.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to open a previously saved Word document after restarting a Mac.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word fails to open the file and displays an error message reporting that the document was deleted or is not currently accessible.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac has an active internet connection if you use cloud services like OneDrive or iCloud, and check your Mac's Trash bin to confirm the document wasn't accidentally deleted before the restart.

Solution 1Recommended

Move or Copy the Document to a Local Folder

Relocating the file to a purely local directory bypasses potential cloud sync delays or path errors causing the accessibility issue.

On macOS, the Documents folder might be synced to iCloud Drive or OneDrive, meaning the files are not always stored locally. When you restart your Mac, cloud sync engines may take a moment to connect. Opening a file before this connection is established can trigger the 'deleted or inaccessible' error.

Locate the original file

Open Finder and navigate to the current location of the problematic Word document.

Move to a local directory

Copy or drag the file out of its current location and paste it into a local folder that is not synced to the cloud (such as the local 'Downloads' folder or a custom folder in your home directory).

Reopen the document

Double-click the newly copied file in the local folder to open it in Microsoft Word.

Save a local copy

If Word successfully opens the file but warns it cannot be uploaded to the cloud, go to 'File' > 'Save As' and ensure you save a fresh copy directly to your Mac's local storage.

Investigate Cloud Settings: After securing a local copy of your work, check your OneDrive or iCloud Desktop & Documents settings to ensure your cloud storage is actively syncing and has sufficient space available.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Reliable Document Management on Mac

If Microsoft Word consistently gives you file access errors or cloud sync issues on macOS, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative for creating, editing, and managing your documents securely on your Mac.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of WPS Office for free.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded installer and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open Your Word Documents: Launch WPS Office and simply open your existing .docx files directly without worrying about formatting loss.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) file formatsLightweight application that runs smoothly and quickly on macOSStable local saving options to prevent file access and sync errorsFamiliar tabbed interface requiring no learning curve to get started

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word say my document is deleted when I can still see it in Finder?

This happens when there is a mismatch between the file path Word remembers and the actual file state. If the file is stored in an iCloud or OneDrive folder, macOS might temporarily offload the file to the cloud to save space, leaving only a placeholder. Word cannot read this placeholder immediately after a restart, causing it to report the file as inaccessible.

How can I recover an unsaved Word document on Mac?

You can check the AutoRecovery folder. Open Finder, press Command+Shift+G to open the 'Go to Folder' dialog, and enter '~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery'. Check if there is an automatically saved version of your document there.

Does saving directly to the Mac Desktop prevent this error?

Saving to the Desktop can prevent this error only if you have disabled the 'Desktop & Documents Folders' sync feature in iCloud. If iCloud sync is active, macOS treats the Desktop as a cloud location, meaning the same accessibility errors can occur.

Document & File Issues