Fix Mendeley Cite Certificate Error in Microsoft Word for Mac
Question details
The user encounters an internal server error while using the Mendeley Cite plug-in in Word for Mac, caused by a failure to read the RPS data encryption certificate.

- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to install or use the Mendeley Cite add-in to insert academic citations into a Word document.
- Observed behavior
- The plug-in fails to load, displaying an internal server error indicating that it cannot read the RPS data encryption certificate.
Ensure that your Mac has an active internet connection, and save and completely close all open Microsoft Word documents before attempting to troubleshoot or update the plug-in.
Update Microsoft Word and Mendeley Cite
Updating both applications to their latest versions is the most effective way to resolve server-side certificate bugs and compatibility issues.
Since this error is often tied to a server-side certificate problem, running the most recent software versions ensures you have the latest security patches and bug fixes.
Quit Microsoft Word completely by right-clicking the Word icon in your Mac Dock and selecting 'Quit', or by pressing Cmd+Q.
Open Microsoft Word, navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'. Install any available updates.
Open your Mendeley Reference Manager, check for the latest software updates, and reinstall the Mendeley Cite plug-in for Microsoft Word.
If the error persists after updating both applications, reach out to official Mendeley Support for further assistance regarding the RPS encryption certificate.

Roll Back to an Older Version of Word
If the newest Word update breaks compatibility with Mendeley Cite, reverting to an older, stable build can bypass the certificate error.
Use WPS Office for a Seamless and Stable Document Experience
If persistent plug-in errors and compatibility issues in Microsoft Word for Mac disrupt your academic writing, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with excellent document formatting support.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package tailored for macOS.
- 2. Install the Software: Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Word Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .docx files directly. Your formatting and layouts will remain perfectly preserved.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Mendeley Cite RPS data encryption certificate error occur?
This error typically occurs due to a server-side certificate validation failure or an unexpected compatibility issue between the current version of the Mendeley Cite plug-in and Microsoft Word for Mac.
Should I modify the ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT variable to fix this?
No. You should avoid altering the ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT variable unless you are specifically performing local developer troubleshooting, as changing it can cause other systemic errors.
Which older versions of Word for Mac work best with Mendeley Cite?
Users experiencing this certificate issue have reported that rolling back to Microsoft Word for Mac versions 16.26 or 16.27 often restores functionality to the plug-in.
What should I do if updating both apps doesn't fix the internal server error?
If the problem persists after updating both Microsoft Word and the Mendeley Cite plug-in, it is recommended to directly contact Mendeley Support to report the ongoing server-side certificate issue.




