Office for Mac Issues

Fix Office for Mac Sign-In Showing a Blank Password Page

Huda Qurayshi Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user encounters a completely blank password screen after entering their email address during the Microsoft Office sign-in process.

How to Fix Office for Mac Sign-In Showing a Blank Password Page

Product: Microsoft Office for Mac
Device & OS: macOS Sierra 10.12.6
Scenario: Attempting to sign in to an older installation of Microsoft Office to activate the software or access a cloud account.
Observed behavior: The application accepts the email address but fails to render the password input field, displaying a blank white page instead.

Before you start

Before proceeding, check your internet connection and verify your current macOS version by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner and selecting 'About This Mac'.

Solution 1Recommended

Upgrade macOS to Support Modern Sign-In Components

Older operating systems like macOS Sierra lack the updated web components required to load Microsoft's modern authentication pages.

Microsoft's login screens rely on newer web rendering engines. Because macOS Sierra 10.12.6 is obsolete, it cannot correctly display the modern password prompt, resulting in a blank screen.

Check Hardware Compatibility

Visit the Apple Support website to see the latest macOS version compatible with your specific Mac model year.

Update the Operating System

Navigate to System Preferences > Software Update (or open the App Store and search for macOS). Download and install the latest supported macOS version.

Update Microsoft Office

Once your macOS is updated, open Microsoft AutoUpdate or redownload the latest Office installer from your Microsoft Account dashboard to ensure you have a compatible build.

Attempt Sign-In Again

Launch Word or Excel and try signing in again. The updated OS components should now render the password page correctly.

Upgrade macOS to Support Modern Sign-In Components

macOS Support Lifecycle: Microsoft typically only supports the three most recent major versions of macOS for Office 365 and modern Office installations.

Solution 2

Clear Office Cache and Credentials

If your OS is compatible but you still see a blank screen, corrupted cached login data might be interfering with the authentication window.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Older Macs

If your Mac is too old to run the latest macOS updates and Microsoft Office fails to sign in, WPS Office is the perfect lightweight alternative. It provides excellent compatibility without forcing complex authentication processes.

1. Download the Mac Version: Go to the official WPS Office website and download the installation package for macOS.
2. Install the App: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon directly into your Applications folder.
3. Edit Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without authentication errors.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxLightweight design that runs smoothly on older or obsolete Mac hardwareNo mandatory complex sign-in required for basic offline document editingFamiliar user interface that makes switching seamless and hassle-free

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Office show a blank password page on macOS Sierra?

macOS Sierra uses an outdated web rendering engine (Safari/WebKit build) that cannot process Microsoft's modern, secure sign-in scripts, resulting in the page loading completely blank.

Can I bypass the Microsoft sign-in on an older Mac?

Usually, you cannot bypass activation. If the password screen is blank, you must either upgrade macOS to support the login window or switch to an alternative office suite that supports your OS.

What is the oldest macOS version supported by the current Microsoft Office?

Microsoft Office for Mac supports only the three most recent versions of macOS. As Apple releases a new major macOS update, the oldest of the three loses support.

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