Update & Upgrade Problems

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Not Receiving Updates on Mac

Emma Brown Sep 25, 2026 871 views

Question details

Users are unable to receive software updates for Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on their Mac, despite prompts indicating updates are required.

Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Not Receiving Updates on Mac

Product: Microsoft 365 / Office 2019 for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Updating Microsoft Office applications after installation on a MacBook.
Observed behavior: The Microsoft apps continuously report that updates are required, but no new updates are being downloaded or installed.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection and verify your Apple ID or Microsoft account credentials before attempting to update the software.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Installed Office Version and License Type

Determine if you are running Office 2019 or Microsoft 365, as Office 2019 has reached its final update version.

If you purchased a one-time license for Office 2019 instead of a Microsoft 365 subscription, your software has a definitive final version. The last available update for Office 2019 on Mac is version 16.78.3. Once this version is installed, you will no longer receive new feature updates.

Open Microsoft Word

Launch the Microsoft Word application from your Mac's Dock or Applications folder.

Access the About menu

Click on 'Word' in the top-left corner of the macOS menu bar, right next to the Apple logo.

Check the version

Select 'About Microsoft Word' from the dropdown menu. Look at the dialog box to check whether your license type says Office 2019 or Microsoft 365, and note the version number.

Verify Installed Office Version and License Type

Final Version Limit: If your license is Office 2019 and your version is 16.78.3, your software is fully up to date for that specific license. The 'updates required' prompt may be urging an upgrade to a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Solution 2

Check macOS Version Compatibility

Ensure your Mac operating system is recent enough to support the latest Microsoft Office updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Seamless Mac Productivity

If your current version of Microsoft Office has stopped receiving updates or your macOS is no longer supported, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, fully compatible, and free alternative that runs smoothly on a wide range of macOS versions.

1. Download the Mac version: Visit the official WPS website and download the installation package designed for macOS.
2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without losing any formatting.

Completely free and lightweight office suite for Mac users.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Frequent, free updates to ensure maximum security and new features.Familiar user interface ensuring a zero-learning-curve transition.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Mac say Office updates are required but won't download them?

This usually happens if your macOS version is too old to support the newest Microsoft updates, or if you are using a non-subscription version like Office 2019 that has already reached its final update release.

What is the final update version for Office 2019 for Mac?

The final update for the one-time purchase license of Office 2019 for Mac is version 16.78.3. After this version, Microsoft no longer provides feature or security updates for this specific license.

Can I still use Microsoft Office on macOS Monterey?

Yes, you can still use your currently installed Office applications on macOS Monterey. However, you will no longer receive new feature updates or security patches as Microsoft shifts focus to newer macOS releases.

How do I manually update Microsoft Word on a Mac?

Open Word, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates' to launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool. If no updates appear, your software might be capped due to license or OS limitations.

Installation & Activation