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How to Fix Microsoft Word Crashing and Lagging on MacBook Air
Question details
Users report that Microsoft Word becomes unresponsive, stops scrolling, or crashes entirely when used on macOS.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS (MacBook Air)
- Scenario
- Working on documents in Microsoft Word when the application suddenly lags or quits unexpectedly.
- Observed behavior
- The application lags, freezes during scrolling, or crashes entirely. This is a known issue particularly affecting Word version 16.85.
Save your work to a local drive or cloud storage, and ensure your MacBook Air is connected to a stable internet connection before downloading software updates.
Update Microsoft Word to Version 16.85.2
Installing the official patch from Microsoft is the easiest way to fix the known lagging and crashing issues found in version 16.85.
Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. Go to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'.
In the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool, look for version 16.85.2 or newer. Click 'Update' next to Microsoft Word to begin the download and installation.
Once the update is successfully installed, close all applications and restart your MacBook Air to ensure the patch takes full effect.
Roll Back to Microsoft Word Version 16.84
If the latest update does not resolve the issue, you can temporarily downgrade to version 16.84, which does not contain the scrolling and crashing bug.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable, Crash-Free Experience on Mac
If you're tired of dealing with heavy applications and constant update bugs in Microsoft Office, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight alternative. It ensures smooth document editing on your MacBook Air without frustrating lags or unexpected crashes.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer designed specifically for macOS.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder, then launch it.
- 3. Open your Word documents: Click 'Open' on the WPS Office home screen and select your existing .docx files to continue working seamlessly without lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Microsoft Word suddenly crashing on my Mac?
Sudden crashes are often caused by software bugs in recent updates. For example, Word version 16.85 contained a known bug affecting memory and scrolling. Updating to version 16.85.2 usually patches this specific vulnerability.
Will uninstalling Microsoft Word to roll back versions delete my documents?
No, moving the Microsoft Word application to the Trash only removes the software. Your saved .docx files, templates, and documents remain safely stored on your Mac's hard drive or iCloud storage.
How do I check which version of Microsoft Word I have installed?
Open the Microsoft Word app, look at the very top-left of your Mac's menu bar, click on 'Word', and select 'About Microsoft Word'. A window will pop up displaying your exact version number.
