Office for Mac Issues

Fix Microsoft Office Not Responding on macOS Sequoia 15.1.1

WPS Editor Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Microsoft Word and Excel applications stop responding or crash on Mac devices after installing the macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 update, particularly when accessing files stored in OneDrive.

How to Fix Microsoft Office Not Responding After macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Update

Product: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
Device & OS: macOS Sequoia 15.1.1
Scenario: Opening OneDrive files in Microsoft Office after a recent macOS system update.
Observed behavior: The applications open but immediately stop responding. Standard troubleshooting steps like restarting the Mac and reinstalling Office fail to resolve the freeze.

Before you start

Before modifying system library files, press Command + Option + Esc to force quit all frozen Microsoft Office applications and ensure you have an updated Time Machine backup of your Mac.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear the UserNotifications Folder

Removing corrupted notification cache files can resolve conflicts between macOS Sequoia and Microsoft Office.

This workaround helps bypass a known issue where Office apps hang while trying to display notifications or sync status with OneDrive on newer macOS versions.

Open the Mac Library

Click the Finder icon in your Dock. In the top menu bar, click 'Go', hold down the Option key on your keyboard, and select 'Library' when it appears.

Locate the UserNotifications Folder

Navigate to the Group Containers folder, find the Microsoft Office folder (often named UBF8T346G9.Office), and open the UserNotifications folder.

Delete Folder Contents

Select all files inside the UserNotifications folder and move them to the Trash. Do not delete the folder itself, only its contents.

Restart Your Applications

Empty your Trash, restart your Mac, and launch Microsoft Word or Excel to see if the crashing issue is resolved.

Missing Folders: If you do not see the UserNotifications folder, do not modify or delete random library files, as this can corrupt your Office installation.

Solution 2

Wait for Official Patches

If manual workarounds fail or files are missing, rely on official updates from Microsoft and Apple.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac When Microsoft Office Freezes

If Microsoft Office continues to crash on macOS Sequoia and you need immediate access to your OneDrive files, switch to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight suite that handles your documents smoothly without freezing.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the WPS Office website and download the Mac installer.
2. Install on macOS: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word or Excel files to continue working seamlessly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight and optimized for macOS, preventing the heavy system freezes seen in other suites.Seamlessly links with cloud storage services to edit files directly.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Office freeze specifically when opening OneDrive files on macOS Sequoia?

Recent system changes in macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 introduced compatibility issues with Microsoft's cloud synchronization processes, causing the applications to hang when trying to fetch or sync data from OneDrive.

What should I do if the UserNotifications folder is missing?

If you cannot find the UserNotifications folder in your Library, do not guess and delete other system files. Ensure your macOS and Office applications are fully updated, or contact Microsoft Support for guidance.

Can I access my Office files without using Microsoft Office?

Yes. While waiting for a permanent fix, you can use Apple's built-in Pages and Numbers apps, upload your files to Google Drive, or install a free compatible alternative like WPS Office to view and edit your documents.

Office App Problems