Fix Microsoft Office Version 16.71 Crashing on Mac at Startup
Question details
The user needs a solution for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint crashing immediately upon launch on a Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Launching Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint after an update or fresh installation.
- Observed behavior
- The applications crash immediately at startup, displaying an EXC_BAD_ACCESS error related to the dwrite10 module. Reinstalling, clearing the cache, and using Safe Mode do not resolve the issue.
Ensure your Mac is updated to the latest macOS version and verify that you have administrative privileges to modify application support files and fonts.
Disable Third-Party Add-ins and Validate Fonts
Faulty add-ins or corrupted fonts can conflict with the dwrite10 module (DirectWrite), causing Office to crash immediately on startup.
The dwrite10 module is responsible for text layout and rendering. If a specific font is corrupted or a third-party add-in interferes with this process, Microsoft Office will crash.
Open the 'Font Book' application on your Mac. Select 'All Fonts', click 'File' in the menu bar, and choose 'Validate Fonts'. Remove or disable any fonts marked with yellow warnings or red errors.
Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, and paste the path: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Startup/ to access the startup files.
Look inside the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint folders within the Startup directory. Temporarily drag any third-party add-in files to your Desktop.
Try opening Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint again to see if the applications can now bypass the startup crash.
Update Microsoft AutoUpdate and Office Apps
Since version 16.71 has a known bug involving the dwrite10 module, forcing an update to a newer patch can resolve the compatibility issue.
Provide Crash Reports to Microsoft Support
If standard troubleshooting fails, the EXC_BAD_ACCESS error may require a specialized patch or direct assistance from Microsoft Support.
Try WPS Office for Mac When Microsoft Office Keeps Crashing
If Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint continues to crash on your Mac due to the dwrite10 module error, WPS Office offers a stable, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. You can seamlessly open, edit, and save your existing files without dealing with frustrating startup crashes.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer designed specifically for macOS.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded DMG file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office documents to continue your work without crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dwrite10 module causing my Mac Office to crash?
The dwrite10 module is related to Microsoft DirectWrite, an API used for text layout and font rendering. On a Mac, conflicts with this module—often due to corrupted fonts or specific macOS incompatibilities—can cause the EXC_BAD_ACCESS error and crash the application immediately.
Why does Microsoft Office crash immediately after the privacy screen?
When reinstalling Office, the application attempts to load user preferences, system fonts, and startup add-ins right after the initial privacy prompt. If one of these background components is corrupted or incompatible with version 16.71, the app will instantly crash.
Will reinstalling Office for Mac fix the dwrite10 startup crash?
In many cases, reinstalling the exact same version (16.71) does not resolve the issue because user cache files, corrupted fonts, and conflicting add-ins remain stored in your user library. You typically need to upgrade to a newer version or manually clear your Office Startup folders.
Can Safe Mode fix the Microsoft Office version 16.71 crash?
Booting your Mac in Safe Mode clears the system cache and disables certain third-party extensions. While it helps diagnose the issue, you may still need to manually validate your fonts using Font Book and remove problematic add-ins from the Office directory to achieve a permanent fix.
