Fix Word Not Opening OneDrive Files on Apple Silicon Mac
Question details
Microsoft Word for Mac gets stuck processing or crashes when attempting to open files synced via OneDrive, while other applications like Excel continue to work normally.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac, OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS (Apple Silicon)
- Scenario
- Attempting to open OneDrive-synced Word documents after a software update on an Apple Silicon Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Word becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely during the file opening process, even if the file is copied to an external drive or local folder.
Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection and verify if the issue is isolated to a single document by testing a different Word file from your OneDrive folder.
Reinstall OneDrive from the Official Microsoft Website
Uninstall the current OneDrive app and install the latest standalone version directly from Microsoft, as the Mac App Store version may retain sandboxing restrictions causing the crash.
The version of OneDrive downloaded from the Mac App Store can sometimes experience permission or syncing conflicts with Microsoft Word after an update. Using the standalone installer directly from Microsoft often resolves these deep-seated file processing loops.
Click the OneDrive icon in your menu bar, select the Gear icon, and choose 'Quit'. Open your 'Applications' folder and drag the OneDrive app to the Trash.
Open your web browser, navigate to the official Microsoft OneDrive download page, and download the standalone macOS installation package.
Double-click the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen instructions to install. Launch OneDrive from your Applications folder and sign back into your Microsoft account.
Allow OneDrive a moment to initialize its sync folders, then try opening the affected document in Microsoft Word again.
Validate Installed Mac Fonts via Font Book
Corrupted or conflicting fonts can cause Word for Mac to crash when it attempts to render documents, especially on Apple Silicon architecture.
Isolate the Issue Using Word for the Web
Determine whether the problem is specific to your Mac's local configuration or if the document itself is corrupted.
Open Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office for Mac
If Microsoft Word continues to crash or hang on your Apple Silicon Mac, try WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that easily opens Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without the heavy resource usage or syncing conflicts associated with recent updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word crash on my Apple Silicon Mac but Excel works fine?
Word handles document rendering, fonts, and background syncing differently than Excel. Post-update glitches, permissions issues, or corrupted fonts often specifically target Word's rendering engine on M-series chips while leaving Excel completely unaffected.
Will reinstalling OneDrive delete my locally saved files?
No, uninstalling the OneDrive application does not delete your files. The files remain safe in your local OneDrive folder and in your cloud storage. They will seamlessly resync once you reinstall the standalone application.
Why didn't downloading OneDrive from the Mac App Store fix the issue?
The Mac App Store version of OneDrive operates under strict Apple sandboxing restrictions, which can sometimes interfere with how Word requests files. The standalone version provided directly on Microsoft's website bypasses these specific restrictions, often resolving the crash.
How can I access my file immediately if Word for Mac absolutely refuses to open it?
You can access the document via Word for the Web through your browser, open it on an iOS device or alternative computer, or download a highly compatible alternative suite like WPS Office for Mac to view and edit the file instantly.
