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Fix Runtime Error 53 When Opening Microsoft Word on Mac
Question details
Users are encountering multiple Runtime Error 53 dialog boxes every time they open a Word document on their Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Launching Microsoft Word or opening a Word document on a Mac device that has Adobe Acrobat installed.
- Observed behavior
- Repeated Runtime Error 53 messages appear consecutively, disrupting the startup process of Microsoft Word due to an incompatible Office add-in.
Ensure Microsoft Word is completely closed before attempting to modify system library folders or remove add-in files from your Mac.
Remove the Adobe Acrobat Add-in from the Word Startup Folder
This is the most common and effective fix for Runtime Error 53, which is often caused by an outdated Adobe Acrobat add-in file called linkCreation.dotm.
When Adobe Acrobat is installed on your Mac, it sometimes adds a template file to Word's startup folder to enable PDF creation features. If this file becomes incompatible with your current version of macOS or Word, it triggers Runtime Error 53.
Right-click the Microsoft Word icon in your Mac's Dock and select 'Quit' to ensure the application is completely closed.
Open Finder. Click on 'Go' in the top Apple menu bar, press and hold the 'Option' key on your keyboard, and click on 'Library' when it appears in the dropdown list.
Follow this exact path: Group Containers > UBF8T346G9.Office > User Content > Startup > Word.
Look for a file named 'linkCreation.dotm' (or any other suspicious Adobe Acrobat add-ins). Drag this file to the Trash.
Open Microsoft Word again. The startup process should now complete smoothly without displaying Runtime Error 53.
Update Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat
Updating both applications ensures that you have the latest compatibility patches, which can resolve underlying add-in conflicts causing Error 53.
Experience Seamless Word Processing with WPS Office for Mac
If Microsoft Word on your Mac continues to struggle with complex add-in conflicts or startup errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and completely free alternative for all your document needs.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for Mac.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing .docx files without any startup errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Runtime Error 53 in Word for Mac?
Runtime Error 53 usually occurs when an incompatible, outdated, or corrupted add-in attempts to load a dynamically linked library file that cannot be found during Word's startup process.
Why does the linkCreation.dotm file cause this error?
The linkCreation.dotm file is a template add-in installed by Adobe Acrobat to facilitate PDF creation directly from Word. When macOS or Word updates are applied, this add-in can lose compatibility and trigger an error if it isn't also updated.
What should I do if linkCreation.dotm is missing from the Startup folder?
If the specific file is not present, look for other unfamiliar add-ins in the same 'Startup > Word' folder and temporarily remove them. If the error persists, the issue might lie within a corrupted Adobe Acrobat installation, requiring a clean reinstallation or contacting Adobe Support.
