'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix Microsoft AutoUpdate Stuck on Processing for Word and Excel on Mac
Question details
The user needs a solution to resolve an issue where the Microsoft Office updater utility hangs indefinitely during the update process.
- Product
- Microsoft AutoUpdate (Word, Excel)
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- The user is attempting to update Microsoft Word and Excel via the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft AutoUpdate gets permanently stuck on the 'Processing' stage for Word and Excel, even though other applications update successfully via the Mac App Store.
Before proceeding, manually close Microsoft Word, Excel, and the Microsoft AutoUpdate application. Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet network to prevent partial downloads.
Restart Your Mac and Update in Safe Mode
Booting your Mac into Safe Mode helps determine if third-party software, antivirus programs, or background processes are interfering with the Microsoft AutoUpdate utility.
Safe Mode performs basic checks and prevents certain software from automatically loading or opening. This creates a clean environment to run updates without external interruptions.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'Shut Down'. Wait for your Mac to turn off completely.
Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the 'Shift' key. Release the key when the login window appears. You should see 'Safe Boot' in the upper-right corner.
Open Microsoft Word or Excel, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. Try running the update process again to see if it bypasses the 'Processing' stage.
Remove and Reinstall Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU)
If Safe Mode does not resolve the issue, the Microsoft AutoUpdate application files may be corrupted. Removing and reinstalling the tool can restore normal updating functionality.
Try WPS Office for Mac: A Seamless, Free Alternative
If Microsoft AutoUpdate continues to cause frustration by freezing or consuming your Mac's resources, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free office suite that integrates seamlessly into macOS without relying on heavy background updaters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft AutoUpdate keep getting stuck on 'Processing'?
This usually happens due to corrupted AutoUpdate preference files, conflicts with third-party background software (like antivirus tools), or insufficient disk permissions preventing the installer from applying the update package.
Can I update Microsoft Word and Excel without using AutoUpdate?
Yes, you can manually download the standalone update packages for Word, Excel, and other Office apps directly from the official Microsoft Office for Mac release history webpage and install them manually.
Will deleting Microsoft AutoUpdate delete my Word or Excel files?
No. Deleting the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool and its related library files only removes the updater program. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and the actual Office applications remain entirely unaffected.
Where are the Microsoft AutoUpdate files located on my Mac?
The core files for Microsoft AutoUpdate are typically located in the system Library folder at '/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0' and its launch agent files are in '/Library/LaunchAgents/'.
