How to Fix Office 2016 Ordinal Error Crashes with KB Updates
Question details
The user needs to identify which specific KB updates should be deployed to resolve an ordinal error that causes Microsoft Office 2016 to crash.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Deploying security updates to fix an application crash caused by a missing or mismatched update component.
- Observed behavior
- Office 2016 crashes due to an ordinal error, creating uncertainty about whether to deploy KB5002498, KB5002521, or the older KB5002457.
Always test new security updates in a non-production or sandbox environment before deploying them organization-wide to prevent unexpected system conflicts.
Deploy KB5002498 and KB5002521 to Resolve the Crash
Applying the latest superseding updates fixes the underlying component mismatch that triggers the ordinal error in Office 2016.
Microsoft has addressed the ordinal error by releasing specific patches. KB5002521 replaces the older KB5002457 update, fully integrating all of the earlier version's fixes. Deploying both KB5002498 and KB5002521 is the official recommendation to patch the software and restore stability.
Deploy KB5002498 and KB5002521 to a test machine running Office 2016 to ensure they do not interfere with other internal applications.
Navigate to the Microsoft Update Catalog online and search for KB5002498 and KB5002521. Download the correct version (32-bit or 64-bit) for your Office 2016 installation.
Run both update installers on the affected machine. Once the installations are complete, reboot the computer to fully apply the changes.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable, Crash-Free Experience
If Microsoft Office 2016 continues to experience update failures or complex ordinal errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, free alternative that eliminates the hassle of manually managing complex KB updates.
- 1. Download the installer: Click the download button to get the lightweight WPS Office setup file.
- 2. Install the software: Run the installer and follow the brief setup wizard to install the suite on your device.
- 3. Open your files: Double-click your existing Office documents to open and edit them instantly in WPS Office without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ordinal error in Microsoft Office 2016?
An ordinal error typically occurs when a software component or DLL file is mismatched, missing, or corrupted. This often happens after an incomplete update or when a required library file is not properly registered in Windows.
Do I need to install KB5002457 before installing KB5002521?
No. KB5002521 supersedes KB5002457. This means the newer update contains all the bug fixes and security patches from the older one, so you only need to install KB5002521.
Where can I safely download Office 2016 KB updates?
You should always download KB updates directly from the official Microsoft Update Catalog website or deploy them automatically through your organization's Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
