Office for Mac Issues

Fix Word for Mac Stuck on 'We're Starting the Add-ins Runtime'

Emma Brown Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users encounter a recurring message in Word for Mac stating that the add-ins runtime is starting, which intermittently blocks the bottom status bar and word count.

How to Fix Word for Mac Stuck on 'We're Starting the Add-ins Runtime'

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Editing or viewing documents in Word for Mac when an unexpected runtime message appears.
Observed behavior: The message 'We're starting the add-ins runtime, just a moment...' displays at the bottom of the window, often obscuring the word count, even when no add-ins are visibly installed.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved your current document and closed any active prompts, as you will need to inspect your settings and restart Microsoft Word.

Solution 1Recommended

Inspect and Remove Hidden Add-ins

Use this solution to find and remove background utility add-ins or templates that may not appear in the standard Microsoft Store add-ins list.

Microsoft Word has two different locations for add-ins. The Insert tab generally displays modern JavaScript add-ins, while the Tools menu manages older Visual Basic templates and third-party utility integrations.

Check My Add-ins

Open Microsoft Word, go to the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon, and select 'Add-ins' followed by 'My Add-ins' to ensure no unwanted JavaScript add-ins are running.

Inspect Templates and Add-ins

Click on 'Tools' in the top Apple menu bar, then select 'Templates & Add-ins'. Review the list under 'Global templates and add-ins'.

Remove Unnecessary Items

Select any unfamiliar or unnecessary utilities from the list and remove or disable them by unchecking their corresponding boxes.

Restart Microsoft Word

Completely quit Word for Mac and reopen your document to see if the runtime message disappears.

Intermittent Behavior: Sometimes simply closing and reopening the document temporarily resolves the issue. Monitor the application to see what specific action triggers the message.

Solution 2

Update macOS and Microsoft Word

Software updates often contain bug fixes for intermittent display glitches or runtime environment errors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the add-ins runtime message appear if I haven't installed any add-ins?

Third-party utility programs and helper applications on your Mac (such as citation managers or PDF tools) can sometimes install background add-ins without explicit notification, triggering the runtime message.

What is the difference between add-ins in the Insert tab and the Tools menu?

The 'Insert' tab typically displays modern JavaScript add-ins downloaded from the Microsoft Store, whereas the 'Tools > Templates & Add-ins' menu manages older Visual Basic templates and integrations from third-party software.

Will reopening the document fix the runtime message permanently?

Reopening the document often provides a temporary fix by resetting the application interface. However, if an incompatible add-in or an outdated operating system is the root cause, the message is likely to return until the software is updated or the add-in is removed.

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