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Fix Modern Comments Not Working in Word and PowerPoint on Mac VPN
Question details
Users are unable to use the Modern Comments feature in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint on macOS while connected to a VPN, despite it working on Windows and the web.
- Product
- Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to view or add Modern Comments in Word or PowerPoint while connected to a Cisco AnyConnect VPN on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Modern Comments fail to load or sync in the Mac desktop applications under the VPN connection, whereas they function normally in Office for the web and Windows desktop versions.
Verify if the issue persists by temporarily disconnecting from your Cisco AnyConnect VPN to confirm if the network configuration is the root cause.
Verify Office Update Channel and Network Requirements
Ensure you are on a supported update channel and your VPN allows Microsoft 365 traffic.
Modern Comments are heavily reliant on Microsoft's cloud syncing infrastructure. If your VPN blocks specific endpoints, the feature will fail to load.
Open Microsoft Word or PowerPoint on your Mac. Navigate to 'Help' > 'Check for Updates' in the top menu bar.
Verify that your Office application is set to the Beta, Current Channel (Preview), or Production channel, as Modern Comments are actively rolling out through these specific paths.
Consult your IT administrator to review your VPN's network settings against the official Microsoft 365 endpoint and network connectivity documentation. Ensure that essential URLs and ports for Microsoft services are whitelisted.
Contact Microsoft 365 Support for Advanced Troubleshooting
If adjusting VPN network endpoints does not resolve the issue, reach out to official support.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Collaboration on Mac
If network endpoint restrictions or VPN issues are preventing you from collaborating in Microsoft Office on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides robust, offline-capable commenting and collaboration tools without complex network dependencies.
- 1. Install the Software: Download and install WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .docx or .pptx file.
- 3. Add Comments: Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon and click 'New Comment' to start collaborating without VPN interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Modern Comments work on Windows but fail on my Mac?
macOS applications may route network traffic differently through certain VPNs like Cisco AnyConnect compared to Windows. If Microsoft 365 syncing endpoints are blocked by the Mac VPN configuration, Modern Comments will fail to load.
Is there a specific IP address or port needed for Modern Comments to work?
No specific IP address or port is uniquely dedicated to Modern Comments. They rely on the standard Microsoft 365 endpoints and network connectivity guidelines required for all Office cloud services.
How can I view my comments while the Mac app is malfunctioning?
As a reliable workaround, you can access your documents using Office for the web (Word or PowerPoint online). Modern Comments usually function correctly in the web browser even when the desktop app fails under a VPN.
