Fix Word Add-In Stuck Loading with host_Info Error on Mac
Question details
A centrally deployed Word add-in intermittently fails to load, getting stuck and redirecting to a host_Info error address.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Opening or using a centrally deployed Office add-in in Microsoft Word on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The add-in remains stuck on the loading screen and redirects to a URL containing host_Info=Word$Win32$16.01$en-US$$$$0#/.
Before troubleshooting, open a new blank document to determine if the add-in loading error is isolated to a single file or affects all Word documents on your Mac.
Reset Word Cache via the Containers Folder
Use this solution if the add-in fails to load across all Word documents, which indicates a corrupted application cache.
Clearing the Microsoft Word cache folder forces the application to rebuild its preference files and temporary data, which often resolves persistent add-in loading issues.
Ensure Microsoft Word is completely closed. Right-click the Word icon in the Dock and select Quit.
Click on Finder. From the top menu, select Go > Go to Folder (or press Command+Shift+G). Type ~/Library/Containers and press Return.
Locate the folder named Microsoft Word (or com.microsoft.Word in older macOS versions) and drag it to your Desktop as a backup.
Restart your Mac, then open a new blank document in Word to verify if the add-in loads correctly.
Revert to a Previous Version of Microsoft Word
Apply this solution if resetting the cache does not work, suggesting a bug in the latest Office update.
Experience a Stable and Lightweight Office Suite with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by complex cache issues and add-in loading errors in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a robust, seamless, and highly compatible environment for your document needs without the heavy resource usage.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word files with perfect formatting retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the host_Info error mean in Word for Mac?
The host_Info error indicates that the Word add-in manifest failed to initialize properly. This is often caused by corrupted application cache files, network deployment issues, or a compatibility bug in a recent Word update.
Will removing the Microsoft Word folder from Containers delete my files?
No, moving or deleting the Microsoft Word folder from the ~/Library/Containers path only clears application preferences and temporary cache files. Your locally saved documents and OneDrive files will remain entirely safe.
How do I access the Library folder if it is hidden on my Mac?
The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. You can quickly access it by clicking on Finder, pressing Command+Shift+G, and pasting the exact path ~/Library/Containers into the Go to Folder search bar.
