Office for Mac Issues

Fix Slow and Laggy Microsoft Word for Mac Version 16.87

Partner Editor Sep 30, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users need a solution to fix severe lagging and slow performance in Microsoft Word for Mac following the 16.87 version update.

How to Fix Slow and Laggy Microsoft Word for Mac Version 16.87

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Scrolling, highlighting text, and navigating between multiple open documents.
Observed behavior: The application becomes unresponsive, slow, and laggy. Basic troubleshooting methods, such as restarting the Mac or updating macOS, do not resolve the performance drop.

Before you start

Before proceeding with downgrading your application, ensure all your current documents are saved and closed to prevent data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Downgrade to a Previous Version via Microsoft Update History

The most reliable fix for the 16.87 lag issue is to remove the current version and manually install a stable older release, such as version 16.85.2.

This method requires deleting the existing application but preserves your local documents and usually retains your licensing credentials.

Delete the current Word application

Quit Microsoft Word completely. Open Finder, navigate to the 'Applications' folder, locate Microsoft Word, and drag it to the Trash.

Download the older version

Visit the official Microsoft Office for Mac update history webpage. Look for version 16.85.2 (or another recent stable version) and download only the Word installer package.

Install the previous version

Run the downloaded installer package and follow the on-screen instructions to install the older version of Word on your Mac.

Disable automatic updates

Open the newly installed Microsoft Word. Go to 'Help' in the top menu bar, select 'Check for Updates', and uncheck the automatic updates option so it doesn't reinstall version 16.87.

Downgrade to a Previous Version via Microsoft Update History

License Retention: Your existing Microsoft license credentials should remain available, meaning you likely will not need to sign in again after reinstalling.

Solution 2

Restore an Earlier Version Using Time Machine

If you regularly back up your Mac with Time Machine, you can easily restore the previous working version of the Word application.

Solution 3

Use the 'Esc' Key for Temporary Relief

A simple keyboard trick can temporarily alleviate the lag without requiring a software downgrade.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Fast and Smooth Mac Experience

If you are tired of buggy updates and sluggish performance, WPS Office offers a highly optimized, lightweight, and free alternative to Microsoft Office for Mac. Enjoy seamless editing and blazing-fast load times without the lag.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for macOS.
2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open your Word documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing .docx files to continue working smoothly.

Lightweight architecture ensures smooth performance without lagging or freezing on macOS.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Familiar, intuitive user interface makes migration seamless.All-in-one suite allows you to manage documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs in a single window.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will downgrading Microsoft Word delete my existing documents?

No, deleting the Microsoft Word application from the Applications folder only removes the software. Your documents, which are saved separately on your hard drive or in cloud storage, will remain perfectly safe.

Will I need to sign in again after installing an older version of Word?

In most cases, your licensing credentials and login tokens remain intact on your Mac. The older version should automatically recognize your active Microsoft Office subscription when you launch it.

When is it safe to turn automatic updates back on?

You should leave automatic updates disabled until Microsoft releases version 16.88 or a newer patch that explicitly addresses and fixes the performance and lagging issues for Mac users.

Office App Problems