Office Compatibility Issues

How to Fix Mendeley Cite Add-In Errors in Word 2016

Partner Editor Sep 30, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user is encountering installation or usage errors with the Mendeley Cite add-in in Microsoft Word 2016, despite the Office version meeting the stated compatibility requirements.

How to Fix Mendeley Cite Add-In Errors in Word 2016

Product: Microsoft Word 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to install or use the Mendeley Cite add-in to manage academic citations and references within a document.
Observed behavior: Word 2016 displays an error message preventing the Mendeley Cite add-in from functioning, requiring further diagnosis to determine if it is a permission, installation, or compatibility issue.

Before you start

Ensure that your Microsoft Word 2016 is fully updated to the latest build, and verify that you are logged into your Microsoft account with a stable internet connection to access the Office Add-ins store.

Solution 1Recommended

Capture and Diagnose the Exact Error Message

Because add-in errors can stem from permissions, compatibility, or faulty installations, capturing the specific error code is the necessary first step for troubleshooting.

Mendeley Cite relies on modern Office Add-in architecture. If Word 2016 is technically supported but still fails, the exact text of the error is crucial for determining the root cause.

Reproduce the error

Open Microsoft Word 2016, navigate to the 'References' or 'Insert' tab, and attempt to launch the Mendeley Cite add-in to trigger the error message.

Take a screenshot

Take a full-screen screenshot of the error message, ensuring both the exact error code and your Word interface are clearly visible.

Check your Word version

Navigate to 'File' > 'Account' and look under 'Product Information' to note your specific Word 2016 edition and build number.

Seek specific support

Use the captured image and version details to search the Mendeley Support Center or provide them to a support agent via a secure channel to identify if the issue involves local permissions or add-in compatibility.

Capture and Diagnose the Exact Error Message

Volume License Versions: Some Volume License (MSI) versions of Word 2016 do not support the modern Office Store add-ins required by Mendeley Cite.

Solution 2

Reinstall the Mendeley Cite Add-in

A fresh installation can resolve temporary glitches or corrupted add-in cache files in Word 2016.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Mendeley Cite say my Word version is not supported?

This usually happens if your Word 2016 build is outdated or if you are using an older Volume License (MSI) version that doesn't support modern web-based Office Store add-ins. Updating Word via 'File' > 'Account' > 'Update Options' may resolve this.

Can I use the Mendeley Desktop plugin instead of Mendeley Cite in Word 2016?

Yes. If the modern Mendeley Cite add-in continues to fail, you can use the older Mendeley Desktop application, which utilizes a traditional macro-based plugin that is highly compatible with older versions of Word 2016.

How do I clear the Office Add-in cache in Word 2016?

You can clear the add-in cache by navigating to the hidden folder 'C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Wef\' and deleting its contents. Restart Word afterward to force the add-in to reload fresh data.

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