Office for Mac Issues

Fix Office 15.13.3 Not Compatible with macOS Big Sur

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users cannot open Microsoft Office applications due to version incompatibility with macOS Big Sur.

How to Fix Office 15.13.3 Compatibility Issues on macOS Big Sur

Product: Microsoft Office for Mac
Device & OS: macOS Big Sur 11.7.10
Scenario: Attempting to launch an older installation of Microsoft Office (version 15.13.3) after upgrading the Mac operating system.
Observed behavior: Office applications like Word and Excel display a stop-sign icon over their shortcuts and report that they cannot be used with the installed macOS version.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials handy, as you will need to sign back in to reactivate your software after updating or resetting your licenses.

Solution 1Recommended

Upgrade Office to a Supported Version

The most effective way to resolve this issue is by updating your Office installation to a version that officially supports macOS Big Sur.

Office 15.13.3 is an outdated release that relies on older system architectures no longer supported by macOS Big Sur. Upgrading the application software bridges this compatibility gap.

Download the latest installer

Open your web browser, navigate to the official Microsoft Office for Mac update history page, and download the latest compatible installer package for your specific Office suite.

Install the update

Run the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen instructions to overwrite the outdated 15.13.3 version with the new build.

Verify functionality

Launch Microsoft Word or Excel from your Applications folder to verify that the stop-sign icon has disappeared and the application opens normally.

macOS Updates: If your Mac supports it, upgrading macOS to an even newer release (like Monterey or Ventura) alongside your Office update can ensure better long-term app support.

Solution 2

Clear Activation Data Using the License Removal Tool

If you have already upgraded Office but still receive compatibility warnings or activation errors, clearing old license files will force the apps to recognize your valid subscription.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac as a Seamless Alternative

If updating Microsoft Office requires a costly new subscription or your current Mac cannot support the latest Office versions, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that works beautifully on macOS.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to continue working seamlessly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight architecture that runs smoothly even on older macOS versions.Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve for seamless migration.Free to download and use without expensive monthly subscription fees.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word show a stop-sign icon over its shortcut in the Dock?

The stop-sign icon indicates that the application's underlying code architecture is not compatible with your current macOS version. macOS Big Sur dropped support for 32-bit and certain older 64-bit applications, causing versions like Office 15.13.3 to be blocked from launching.

Will updating my macOS fix the Office 15.13.3 compatibility issue?

Updating macOS alone will not make an outdated version of Office work. In fact, newer macOS versions enforce stricter compatibility rules. You must upgrade the Office applications themselves to a newer version that supports your operating system.

Can I continue using Office 2016 on macOS Big Sur?

While later builds of Office 2016 for Mac are 64-bit and may technically run on Big Sur, Microsoft officially ended support for Office 2016 in October 2020. Upgrading to a supported release like Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 is highly recommended for security and stability.

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