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Fix PowerPoint for Mac Crashing After Update 16.79
Question details
Users experience persistent crashes and unclosable pop-up errors in PowerPoint for Mac after updating to version 16.79, particularly when using specific third-party add-ins.
- Product
- Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS (including Sonoma 14.1.1)
- Scenario
- Attempting to use PowerPoint for Mac with third-party add-ins enabled after a recent software update.
- Observed behavior
- PowerPoint displays an error pop-up (such as a missing DLL entry point) that cannot be closed, rendering the application unusable and leading to a crash.
Identify which third-party add-ins (like BrightSlide or Efficient Elements) you currently have installed, and ensure any open work in other Office applications is saved.
Disable Problematic PowerPoint Add-ins
Prevent the application from crashing by disabling incompatible add-ins before they trigger the bug.
The version 16.79 update contains a bug that conflicts with certain third-party add-ins. Disabling these extensions will allow you to use PowerPoint normally until a patch is released.
Launch PowerPoint for Mac directly from your Applications folder without opening a specific presentation file to prevent the add-in from loading immediately.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Tools', and select 'PowerPoint Add-ins' from the dropdown list.
In the Add-ins dialog box, clear the checkboxes next to Efficient Elements, BrightSlide, or any other recently installed extensions.
Close the Add-ins window and restart PowerPoint to verify that the crashing issue has been resolved.
Downgrade to PowerPoint Version 16.78
Roll back to a stable previous version of PowerPoint for Mac to maintain full functionality of your add-ins.
Try WPS Office for a Stable Presentation Experience on Mac
If Microsoft PowerPoint continues to crash on your Mac due to update bugs, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible and stable environment for creating, editing, and delivering presentations without disruptive add-in conflicts.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install on your Mac: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open PPTX files: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing PowerPoint files smoothly to continue your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does PowerPoint say 'Can't find DLL entry point 96' on Mac?
This error is caused by a bug in PowerPoint version 16.79 on macOS. It fails to properly load certain visual basic libraries required by third-party add-ins like BrightSlide, resulting in a persistent pop-up and subsequent crash.
How do I remove an add-in if PowerPoint crashes immediately upon opening?
To bypass the immediate crash, open the PowerPoint application directly from your Launchpad or Applications folder without double-clicking a presentation file. Once open, navigate to Tools > PowerPoint Add-ins to disable the problematic add-in before it fully loads into a document.
Will downgrading to version 16.78 delete my saved PowerPoint presentations?
No, uninstalling the PowerPoint application and installing an older version will not affect your locally saved .pptx files. However, it is always recommended to back up your important documents before making changes to your software.
