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Fix Microsoft Word for Mac Crashes When Printing or Exporting PDF
Question details
Microsoft Word for Mac unexpectedly crashes and generates an EXC_BAD_ACCESS error when attempting to print a document or export it as a PDF.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Printing a document or saving/exporting a document to PDF format.
- Observed behavior
- The application abruptly closes and displays an error report, often highlighting an EXC_BAD_ACCESS exception, which prevents the user from successfully printing or creating the PDF.
Ensure that your macOS and printer drivers are updated to their latest versions, and save a backup copy of your document to prevent any data loss during the troubleshooting process.
Resolve Font Conflicts and Validate Fonts
Damaged, incompatible, or duplicate fonts are the most common cause of EXC_BAD_ACCESS crashes when Word spools a file for printing or PDF rendering.
macOS relies heavily on system and user-installed fonts during the print and PDF generation processes. If a recently installed font is corrupted or if duplicate versions of a font exist, Word for Mac is likely to crash.
Launch the 'Font Book' application on your Mac by searching for it in Spotlight or navigating to your Applications folder.
Select all fonts (Cmd + A), then click 'File' > 'Validate Fonts' from the top menu bar. Wait for the validation process to complete.
If any fonts are flagged with a yellow warning or red error icon, right-click them and choose 'Resolve Duplicates' or remove the problematic font entirely.
Restart your computer to flush the font cache, then open your Word document and attempt to print or export to PDF again.
Reset the Mac Printing System
Resetting the printing system clears out corrupt printer configurations that may cause Word to crash even when just exporting to PDF.
Experience Crash-Free Printing and PDF Exports with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to crash due to unresolved system conflicts or EXC_BAD_ACCESS errors, switch to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, free alternative with an exceptionally stable built-in PDF exporter that works flawlessly on macOS.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file directly.
- 3. Export or Print: Click 'Menu' > 'Export to PDF' or 'Print' to safely process your document without crashing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the EXC_BAD_ACCESS error mean in Word for Mac?
The EXC_BAD_ACCESS error indicates that Microsoft Word attempted to access a block of memory it wasn't allowed to use. During printing or PDF export, this is most commonly triggered by corrupt font files, outdated printer drivers, or an unresolved software bug in that specific version of Word.
How can I tell if my document is corrupted and causing the crash?
To isolate the issue, create a brand-new blank document, type a few words, and try printing or exporting it to PDF. If the blank document works flawlessly but your original document crashes, the original file is likely corrupted or contains incompatible elements.
Can a printer driver cause PDF export crashes even if I am not printing?
Yes. When you format a document or export it to PDF, Word for Mac communicates with your default printer to determine page margins, scaling, and layout settings. If the default printer driver is malfunctioning, the interaction can cause the application to crash.
