Update & Upgrade Problems

Fix Microsoft Error Reporting Will Not Update on Mac

Guest Writer Sep 29, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to update Microsoft Error Reporting via Microsoft AutoUpdate, often seeing recurring prompts about an outdated installation despite other Office apps updating successfully.

How to Fix Microsoft Error Reporting Not Updating on Mac

Product: Microsoft AutoUpdate for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Updating Microsoft Office applications on macOS.
Observed behavior: Microsoft AutoUpdate repeatedly reports an old Microsoft Error Reporting installation, triggering continuous update failures, while Word, Excel, and other apps update normally.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Mac, as you will need to access and potentially remove system-level application files to resolve this AutoUpdate loop.

Solution 1Recommended

Locate and Remove the Stale Error Reporting File

Use Microsoft AutoUpdate's built-in tools to locate the corrupted or outdated file that is preventing the update, and manually remove it.

Often, a stale installer record or a corrupted leftover file tricks Microsoft AutoUpdate into thinking an old version of Error Reporting is permanently installed. Removing the specific offending file forces the updater to fetch a clean copy.

Open Microsoft AutoUpdate

Launch Microsoft AutoUpdate on your Mac and wait for the list of available updates to populate.

Access the specific error

Locate 'Microsoft Error Reporting' in the update list. Click the error symbol or right-click the red exclamation mark next to the failing item.

Show in Finder

Select the 'Show in Finder' option from the context menu to immediately open the folder containing the problematic file.

Delete the file

Move the highlighted offending file to the Trash, and empty the Trash on your Mac.

Restart and update

Restart your Mac, open Microsoft AutoUpdate again, and run the check for updates to install the newest version successfully.

Locate and Remove the Stale Error Reporting File

Workaround for Missing Right-Click: If you are using a newer Mac (like Apple Silicon M3) where right-clicking the text does not work, try clicking directly on the error symbol next to the red exclamation mark to reveal the 'Show in Finder' option.

Solution 2

Manually Install the Latest Version of Microsoft AutoUpdate

An outdated AutoUpdate component itself can cause ghost updates. Manually installing the latest updater package often resolves the glitch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft AutoUpdate keep showing an old update from 2019?

This glitch usually occurs because a stale installer record or corrupted preference file was left behind during previous Office updates or macOS system migrations, tricking AutoUpdate into reading outdated version histories.

What happens if I delete the Microsoft Error Reporting file?

Deleting the corrupted or outdated file safely forces Microsoft AutoUpdate to download and install a fresh, correct version of the Error Reporting tool during its next update scan, resolving the persistent loop.

Uninstalling and reinstalling Office didn't fix the AutoUpdate error. What should I do?

A standard drag-to-trash uninstall often leaves behind hidden background AutoUpdate configurations and library files. You must either manually update the AutoUpdate tool itself or use the 'Show in Finder' trick to locate and delete the specific file triggering the updater glitch.

Installation & Activation