Sign-in & Login Problems

Fix Blank Microsoft Office Sign-In Screen on macOS 10.12.6

Camila Milosovich Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user encounters a completely blank screen when trying to sign into Microsoft Office 2016 on an older macOS, rendering the purchased Office applications unusable.

How to Fix Blank Microsoft Office Sign-In Screen on macOS 10.12.6

Product: Microsoft Office 2016 / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: macOS 10.12.6 on a 2015 MacBook Pro
Scenario: Attempting to activate and sign into Microsoft Office applications after a fresh installation.
Observed behavior: The Office sign-in window opens but displays a completely blank white screen instead of the login fields, preventing the user from completing the authentication process.

Before you start

Verify that your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection without restrictive firewalls, as the Office sign-in portal requires specific network protocols to load successfully.

Solution 1Recommended

Refresh and Recreate the Wi-Fi Connection

Resetting your Mac's network configuration can resolve underlying connection glitches that prevent the Microsoft Office sign-in page from rendering.

Sometimes the sign-in window fails to load its web components due to DNS or IP configuration issues. Completely removing and re-adding your network interface can clear these temporary blocks.

Open Network Settings

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, select 'System Preferences', and then click on 'Network'.

Remove the Wi-Fi Service

Select 'Wi-Fi' from the left pane, click the minus (-) button at the bottom of the list to remove it, and click 'Apply'.

Recreate the Wi-Fi Service

Click the plus (+) button, select 'Wi-Fi' from the Interface dropdown menu, name it 'Wi-Fi', and click 'Create'. Apply the changes and reconnect to your local network.

Restart and Test

Restart your MacBook Pro. Once booted up, launch Microsoft Word or Excel to see if the sign-in screen now loads properly.

Refresh and Recreate the Wi-Fi Connection

Check for Loading Indicators: Pay attention to whether the screen is completely blank or showing a spinning loading indicator. A spinning indicator usually means the server is being reached but is responding slowly.

Solution 2

Address macOS and Office Compatibility Issues

Since both macOS 10.12.6 and Office 2016 are outdated, modern Microsoft authentication servers may block the connection due to deprecated security protocols.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office as a Reliable Alternative for Older Macs

If outdated software is preventing you from activating Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative that works smoothly on various macOS versions without frustrating sign-in or activation errors.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version of the software.
2. Install on Your Mac: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open and Edit Immediately: Launch WPS Office from Launchpad. You can immediately open and edit your existing Microsoft Office files without worrying about blank sign-in screens.

Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interfaceHighly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight design runs exceptionally well on older MacBook Pro hardwareNo complex activation server blocks preventing you from editing documents offline

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Microsoft Office sign-in screen entirely blank on Mac?

A blank sign-in screen is typically caused by localized network glitches blocking the web portal from rendering, or by using an outdated macOS version that lacks the modern security protocols required to securely connect to Microsoft's servers.

Does Microsoft Office 2016 still work on macOS 10.12.6?

While the applications themselves can theoretically run on macOS 10.12.6, both the OS and Office 2016 are no longer officially supported by Apple and Microsoft. This lack of support often leads to activation server communication errors, such as the blank sign-in screen.

How do I know if my network is causing the Office login issue?

You can test this by connecting your Mac to a different network, such as a mobile hotspot. If the sign-in screen loads properly on the hotspot but remains blank on your home Wi-Fi, the issue is isolated to your local network configuration or router.

Login & Account Issues