Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Still Using the Old Office Theme

Phi Hung Vo Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users report that Microsoft 365 applications fail to apply the new interface theme after a software update.

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Still Using the Old Office Theme

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: After updating Microsoft 365, the user expects to see the new visual refresh but the apps are stuck displaying the previous older theme.
Observed behavior: The Office theme remains unchanged and is often conflicting with Windows system-level theme settings across different computers or user profiles.

Before you start

Ensure that your Microsoft 365 suite is fully updated to the latest version and verify that you are connected to the internet to allow your profile settings to sync.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Select Your Preferred Office Theme

Disconnect the Office theme from your Windows system settings to force the application to use the updated theme of your choice.

By default, Microsoft 365 apps are configured to follow your Windows system theme. If the system theme settings are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, Office may revert to an older visual style. Changing this setting manually usually resolves the conflict.

Open Account Settings

Launch any affected Microsoft 365 application (such as Word or Excel). Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Account' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Locate the Office Theme Menu

Under the 'User Information' section on the Account page, find the dropdown menu labeled 'Office Theme'.

Change the Theme

Click the dropdown and change the selection from 'Use system setting' to a specific theme, such as 'Colorful', 'Dark Gray', or 'White'.

Restart the Application

Close all open Microsoft 365 applications and reopen them to ensure the new theme is properly applied.

Manually Select Your Preferred Office Theme

Account Syncing: This setting is tied to your Microsoft account. Once changed, your preferred theme should automatically sync across other devices where you use the same Microsoft account.

Solution 2

Verify Windows System Theme Settings

Check if a specific Windows high-contrast or personalized theme is preventing Microsoft 365 from updating its appearance.

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Avoid UI Glitches and Update Conflicts with WPS Office

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1. Download the Installer: Visit the WPS Office website and download the free, lightweight installer for your operating system.
2. Install and Open: Run the installation file. Once installed, launch WPS Office to access the all-in-one workspace.
3. Choose Your Interface: Click the 'Settings' icon in the top right corner to easily switch between Light, Dark, or System-matched visual themes instantly.

Easily customize UI themes and appearance without complex system conflictsFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTXLightweight application that uses fewer system resources and updates seamlesslyAll-in-one tabbed interface for managing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Office theme keep changing back to the old one automatically?

This typically occurs if your Office theme is set to 'Use system setting' and your Windows OS toggles its appearance based on time of day, or if another device connected to your Microsoft account is syncing older theme preferences.

Can I force the new Microsoft 365 visual refresh if the theme still looks old?

Yes. Sometimes the visual refresh is hidden behind an 'Upcoming Features' megaphone icon in the title bar. Click the megaphone icon in Word or Excel and toggle on 'Try the new experience', then restart the app.

Does changing the Office theme affect how my documents print?

No, Office themes (like Dark Mode or Colorful) only change the user interface of the application. They do not alter the background color of your document when printed or shared with others.

Are the latest visual themes available on Office 2019 or earlier?

The newest visual refreshes and dynamic system-matching themes are primarily rolled out to Microsoft 365 subscribers and Office 2021 users. Older standalone versions like Office 2019 may retain the classic interface.

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