Office for Mac Issues

Fix Microsoft 365 Word and PowerPoint Not Working on macOS Monterey

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 14, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Word and PowerPoint crash or fail to open after a software update, despite other Office apps functioning normally.

Fix Microsoft 365 Word and PowerPoint Not Working on macOS Monterey

Product: Microsoft 365 (Word and PowerPoint)
Device & OS: MacBook Air, macOS Monterey 12.7.1
Scenario: Attempting to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint after a recent Microsoft 365 update.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word and PowerPoint have completely stopped working, whereas Microsoft Excel continues to operate without any issues.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft 365 login credentials (such as your university email and password) ready, as you will need to sign back in to activate the software after troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Perform a Clean Reinstallation of the Affected Apps

Use this method to completely clear corrupted application caches and reinstall a fresh, compatible version of Word and PowerPoint.

When individual Microsoft apps stop working after an update, it is often due to corrupted cache containers in the macOS library. Removing these containers and reinstalling the apps can resolve the conflict without affecting your saved documents.

Remove the malfunctioning applications

Open Finder, navigate to the 'Applications' folder, and drag 'Microsoft Word' and 'Microsoft PowerPoint' to the Trash.

Clear the Microsoft cache containers

While in Finder, press 'Command + Shift + G' to open the Go to Folder window. Type '~/Library/Containers' and press Enter. Locate the folders named 'Microsoft Word' and 'Microsoft PowerPoint', and move them to the Trash.

Restart your Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'Restart' to clear temporary system caches.

Reinstall compatible Office builds

Go to the official Microsoft update history page for Office for Mac, download the latest installation package that is compatible with macOS Monterey, and follow the on-screen prompts to install.

Perform a Clean Reinstallation of the Affected Apps

University Accounts: If your Microsoft 365 license is provided by a university, simply sign in with your student or staff email after reinstalling. If activation fails, contact your university IT administrator.

Solution 2

Verify Build Compatibility and Update macOS

Check if your current macOS version supports the installed Office build, and install any missing OS updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac When Microsoft 365 Fails

If Microsoft Word and PowerPoint keep crashing on your macOS Monterey, switch to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, reliable, and free alternative that opens all your existing Office files flawlessly.

1. Download the Mac Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the dedicated version for macOS.
2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open your files instantly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word or PowerPoint documents with perfect formatting preservation.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Lightweight application that runs smoothly on macOS Monterey and older Macs.All-in-one interface lets you manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in a single window.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Excel working but Word and PowerPoint are not on my Mac?

On macOS, Microsoft 365 applications function somewhat independently, each having its own cache and library container. An update might corrupt the specific library files for Word and PowerPoint while leaving Excel's files perfectly intact.

Will I lose my documents if I delete the Microsoft Word container on Mac?

No. Deleting the application container from '~/Library/Containers' only removes temporary cache files, preferences, and application states. Your personal documents saved on your Desktop, in your Documents folder, or on OneDrive remain safe.

Can I install an older version of Microsoft 365 on macOS Monterey?

Yes. Microsoft maintains a release history page for Office for Mac. You can download older installer packages (.pkg) from previous months that are completely compatible with macOS Monterey if the newest update is causing instability.

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