Office for Mac Issues

Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Showing Update Required on Mac

Camila Milosovich Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users experience persistent 'Update Required' or 'Upgrade Required' banners in Microsoft 365 apps on macOS, even after reinstalling the software.

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Showing 'Update Required' on macOS

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Opening and using Microsoft Word or Excel normally without being interrupted by false update notifications.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word and Excel repeatedly display 'Update required' or 'Upgrade required' banners because Microsoft AutoUpdate or Office licensing components are damaged.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet, and completely quit all running Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) before attempting to reset license files or update components.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Office License Files and Sign In Again

Clearing damaged license files can resolve the authentication loop that triggers false update banners.

Corrupted license files can prevent Microsoft 365 apps from correctly verifying your account status, leading to constant upgrade prompts. Removing these files forces the apps to fetch a fresh license.

Download the License Removal Tool

Download the official Microsoft Office License Removal Tool from the Microsoft support website and open the downloaded .pkg file.

Run the removal process

Follow the on-screen prompts in the installation wizard to completely remove the Office license files from your Mac.

Sign in to reactivate

Open Microsoft Word or Excel. You will be prompted to sign in. Enter your Microsoft 365 account credentials to reactivate your software.

Remove Office License Files and Sign In Again

Data Safety: Removing license files will not delete your Office applications or your personal documents. It only resets your sign-in credentials.

Solution 2

Clean Reinstall Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU)

Uninstalling the existing AutoUpdate tool and installing the latest version can fix looping update messages.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Constant Update Errors

Tired of dealing with broken updates and repetitive license errors on Mac? WPS Office offers a seamless, free, and lightweight alternative that requires no complex update clients.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version.
2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Microsoft documents without any format loss.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX).No annoying automatic update banners or complex license management loops.Lightweight architecture that runs fast and smoothly on macOS.All-in-one interface for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Mac say Microsoft Office needs an update when it's already updated?

This commonly occurs when the Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) background service is corrupted or there is a synchronization error in your local Office licensing files, causing the system to misread your actual version status.

Will removing Office license files delete my documents?

No, removing the Office license files only clears your sign-in credentials and activation status. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and system files remain completely safe and untouched.

How do I manually trigger an update in Microsoft 365 on a Mac?

Open any Microsoft Office application like Word, click on 'Help' in the top macOS menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates' to launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool manually.

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