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Fix Microsoft 365 Word Stuck on Loading Screen After Renewal on Mac
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Word freezes on the initial loading screen after renewing a shared Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Product
- Microsoft Word / Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to open a new document in Microsoft Word on a Mac shortly after renewing a shared Microsoft 365 subscription.
- Observed behavior
- The Microsoft Word application becomes completely stuck or hangs indefinitely on the startup loading screen, preventing the user from accessing the interface or editing documents.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and make sure you have your renewed Microsoft 365 account email and password ready for sign-in.
Reset Your Microsoft Office License
Using the official Microsoft license removal tool clears out outdated subscription files that prevent Word from recognizing your newly renewed license.
When you renew a shared Microsoft 365 subscription, the old license files on your Mac can conflict with the new server-side status, causing Office applications to freeze on launch. Removing these local files forces Word to fetch the correct, updated license.
Go to the official Microsoft support site and download the Microsoft license removal tool package for macOS.
Open the downloaded package from your Mac's Downloads folder and follow the on-screen installation prompts to securely wipe existing Office license files.
Launch Microsoft Word, click 'Sign In' when prompted, and enter the credentials associated with your newly renewed Microsoft 365 subscription to activate the software.
Clear the Microsoft Word Cache Folder
A corrupted application cache can stall Microsoft Word's startup process; moving the cache folder forces the app to rebuild it fresh.
Update Office for Mac
Installing the latest software updates ensures that Microsoft Word is fully compatible with the latest Microsoft 365 subscription services and macOS versions.
Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Document Experience on Mac
If Microsoft 365 continues to freeze on the loading screen and you are tired of dealing with complicated subscription renewals, WPS Office offers a powerful, instant-loading alternative for macOS. It provides all the necessary tools to view, edit, and create documents without the heavy resource usage.
- 1. Download the Mac Installer: Visit the WPS Office website and download the free installation package specifically designed for macOS.
- 2. Install the Software: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder to complete the installation.
- 3. Open Your Documents Instantly: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word documents to continue your work without any loading delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Word freeze only after I renew my Microsoft 365 subscription?
When a subscription is renewed, the local license data stored on your Mac often mismatches the new subscription status on Microsoft's servers. This verification loop can cause the application to hang indefinitely on the loading screen.
Will running the Microsoft license removal tool delete my saved documents?
No, the Microsoft license removal tool only deletes the invisible activation and license files stored deep in your system. Your personal .docx files, templates, and application preferences will remain entirely safe.
Do I need to uninstall and reinstall the entire Office suite if Word won't open?
Usually, a full uninstallation is unnecessary. Running the license removal tool or clearing the Word cache folder in ~/Library/Containers resolves the majority of startup freezing issues. Reinstallation should only be a last resort.
What should I do if clearing the cache and resetting the license doesn't work?
If the problem persists, check if other Office applications like Excel or PowerPoint are also freezing. If they are, you may need to completely uninstall Microsoft Office and perform a clean installation from the official Microsoft portal.
