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Fix Mendeley Cite Sign-In Button Not Working in Word for Mac
Question details
The user is unable to log in to the Mendeley Cite add-in because clicking the sign-in button does not trigger the authentication popup.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac, Mendeley Cite Plug-in
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to sign in to the Mendeley Cite sidebar in Word to manage references and insert citations.
- Observed behavior
- When clicking the Sign In button, the sidebar refreshes but no sign-in dialog box opens, preventing the user from accessing their Elsevier account.
Ensure that your Mac has a stable internet connection and that Microsoft Word is updated to the latest version before troubleshooting third-party add-ins.
Contact Mendeley Support for Add-in Assistance
Since this is a known issue with the Mendeley Cite plug-in failing to launch the authentication dialog, contacting Elsevier support is the most effective path to a resolution.
The unresponsive sign-in button is often caused by a glitch within the Mendeley Cite add-in itself or an incompatibility with your current version of Word for Mac.
Because it is not related to your specific account credentials, resetting your Elsevier password will not fix the issue.
Open your web browser and visit the official Elsevier Mendeley Support Hub at https://service.elsevier.com/app/home/supporthub/mendeley/.
Use the search bar on the support page to check for any recent announcements regarding Mendeley Cite outages or updates for Mac users.
Scroll to the contact section and submit an inquiry stating that the Mendeley Cite sidebar refreshes but the sign-in dialog box fails to open in Word for Mac.
Reinstall the Mendeley Cite Add-in
Removing and re-adding the plug-in forces Word to fetch the latest version from the Microsoft Store, which may resolve the sign-in button glitch.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management on Mac
If third-party plug-ins and add-ins are constantly causing disruptions in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly writing environment on macOS without the heavy resource usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Mendeley Cite sidebar refresh without opening the sign-in window?
This usually indicates a communication error between the Mendeley plug-in and your default web browser. The add-in tries to call the browser for authentication but fails, causing the pane to simply reload.
Does this unresponsive button mean my Elsevier account is locked?
No. If clicking the sign-in button does nothing at all, it is a software glitch within Word for Mac or the plug-in itself. An account issue would typically display an error message after you input your credentials.
Can I use an older version of Mendeley as a workaround on Mac?
Yes, if the Mendeley Cite add-in remains unresponsive, you can temporarily try using the older Mendeley Desktop application and its corresponding citation plugin, provided it still supports your current macOS and Word versions.
