Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Microsoft Word for Mac Freezing When Changing Bullets

Emma Brown Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need a solution for Microsoft Word becoming unresponsive when attempting to format text or lists.

How to Fix Word for Mac Freezing When Changing Bullet Formatting

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: macOS (Apple Silicon / M1 MacBook Pro)
Scenario: Modifying document formatting, specifically changing bullet points, selecting text, or typing continuously.
Observed behavior: Word version 16.85 freezes completely and becomes unresponsive on Apple Silicon Macs, requiring a force quit. Standard reinstallation of Microsoft 365 does not permanently resolve the issue.

Before you start

Verify that your macOS is fully updated and ensure your documents are saved via AutoSave or a manual backup to prevent data loss during troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Install an Alternative or Previous Build of Microsoft 365

Since the freezing issue is tied to a specific bug in version 16.85, installing an alternative build or rolling back to an older version bypasses the problem.

Microsoft has received reports of version 16.85 freezing on Apple Silicon Macs (M1 with 8GB to 16GB RAM). Because a standard reinstall simply redownloads the same buggy version, downloading an alternative installation package directly from Microsoft's update catalog is highly recommended.

Uninstall Current Version

Open Finder, go to the Applications folder, locate Microsoft Word, and drag it to the Trash.

Download Alternative Build

Visit the official Microsoft release history page for Office for Mac and download the installer for a previous stable version (e.g., version 16.84).

Install and Disable Auto-Update

Run the downloaded installer package. Once installed, open Word, go to Help > Check for Updates, and uncheck 'Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date' until a confirmed patch is released.

Install an Alternative or Previous Build of Microsoft 365

Temporary Measure: Keep an eye on Microsoft's release notes. You can re-enable automatic updates once version 16.86 or a specific hotfix is rolled out.

Solution 2

Clear Word Preferences and Font Cache

Corrupted preference files or font caches can trigger freezes when interacting with text styling and bullet points.

Solution 3

Test in Safe Mode and Isolate Add-ins

Booting in Safe Mode clears system caches and disables third-party integrations that might be conflicting with Word's text rendering.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit Documents Without Freezing Using WPS Office

If Microsoft Word 16.85 continues to freeze on your Apple Silicon Mac due to unresolved bugs, switching to WPS Office is the fastest way to resume your work. WPS Office is a free, highly compatible alternative that natively supports Microsoft formats, ensuring you can edit seamlessly without system hangs.

1. Download the Mac App: Get the WPS Office for Mac installer from the official website and complete the quick installation.
2. Open Your Document: Right-click your frozen .docx file, select 'Open With', and choose WPS Office.
3. Edit Without Interruptions: Continue typing, formatting bullets, and selecting text smoothly without experiencing unexpected crashes.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) file formatsOptimized for Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) for fast, freeze-free performanceLightweight application that uses minimal RAM and system resourcesFamiliar user interface requiring zero learning curve for seamless migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word 16.85 freeze on my M1 Mac when changing bullets?

This is a reported bug affecting Microsoft Word version 16.85 on Apple Silicon devices (especially those with 8GB to 16GB of RAM). The application struggles to process specific UI and formatting updates, causing memory hangs.

Will reinstalling Microsoft 365 fix the freezing issue on Mac?

Not always. A standard reinstallation will typically download the exact same 16.85 version containing the bug. To fix it, you need to download a previous stable build, or wait for Microsoft to release a patched update.

How can I work on my document urgently if Word keeps freezing?

As a temporary workaround, you can upload your document to OneDrive and use Word for the Web in your browser. Alternatively, you can download a free office suite like WPS Office for Mac to open and edit the .docx file locally without freezing.

Office App Problems