Office for Mac Issues

Fix Word for Mac 16.86 Slow Performance on SharePoint Documents

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

Word for Mac version 16.86 consumes significant energy and becomes unresponsive when editing large documents stored on Microsoft SharePoint.

How to Fix Word for Mac 16.86 Slow Performance on SharePoint Documents

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Editing large documents synced or stored on SharePoint.
Observed behavior: The application lags, freezes, and causes high energy consumption. Clearing the cache provides only temporary relief.

Before you start

Before proceeding, save a local copy of your SharePoint document to your Mac to prevent any accidental data loss while troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Report the Issue to Microsoft and IT Support

Since this is a specific bug in version 16.86, escalating the issue to Microsoft with diagnostic details is necessary for a permanent patch.

Currently, this performance issue on SharePoint is an underlying bug within the 16.86 update. Gathering exact system details and formally reporting it ensures Microsoft prioritizes the fix.

Gather diagnostic information

Write down your macOS version, Word version (16.86), SharePoint version, and the approximate file size of the document causing the lag.

Use the Microsoft Feedback tool

Open Microsoft Word, go to the top menu bar, and navigate to Help > Feedback > I Don't Like Something.

Submit the bug report

Describe the slow performance, high energy usage, and mention that clearing the cache only works temporarily. Paste the diagnostic information you gathered into the description and submit it.

Contact your IT department

Forward the same diagnostic details to your organization's IT department and request that they open an official Microsoft support ticket for further investigation.

Report the Issue to Microsoft and IT Support

Why Report?: Community reports are the primary way Microsoft identifies widespread version-specific bugs. IT-generated support tickets carry higher priority for enterprise-level SharePoint issues.

Solution 2

Clear the Microsoft Word Cache for Temporary Relief

Clearing the application cache can temporarily resolve unresponsiveness and high energy consumption so you can finish urgent tasks.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Mac and Cloud Document Editing

If Word for Mac is freezing on large SharePoint files, consider switching to WPS Office. It's a lightweight, high-performance suite that runs smoothly on macOS and is fully compatible with Microsoft formats.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version.
2. Install the application: Open the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the app on your Mac.
3. Open your large documents: Launch WPS Writer, open your heavy .docx files, and experience smooth editing without freezing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats, ensuring your files look the same.Lightweight architecture prevents lagging and high energy consumption on Mac.Built-in cloud integration for smooth online collaboration without performance drops.Familiar user interface for seamless migration with zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Word for Mac 16.86 consuming so much energy?

This is a known performance issue specific to version 16.86 when handling large documents synced with SharePoint. The synchronization process causes the processor to overwork, leading to severe battery drain and unresponsiveness.

Can rolling back to an older version of Word fix the SharePoint issue?

Yes, rolling back can act as a reliable workaround. You can uninstall version 16.86 and download the previous stable version (such as 16.85) from the official Microsoft Office update release history page for Mac until a patch is released.

Does this performance issue affect documents stored on my local Mac drive?

Typically, no. The issue is primarily reported when editing large documents that are stored and synced via Microsoft SharePoint. Local documents generally perform better, so saving a local copy is a viable temporary solution.

How do I check my exact Word for Mac version?

Open Microsoft Word, click on the 'Word' text in the top Apple menu bar, and select 'About Microsoft Word'. A dialog box will appear displaying your current version number, such as 16.86.

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