Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Microsoft Word Keeps Crashing on macOS Sequoia

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

Microsoft Word repeatedly crashes on Mac computers running macOS Sequoia, displaying EXC_BAD_INSTRUCTION and unfair-lock corruption errors in the crash logs.

Product: Microsoft Word 16.95
Device & OS: Apple silicon Mac, macOS Sequoia
Scenario: Using Microsoft Word normally on an Apple silicon Mac after upgrading to or installing macOS Sequoia.
Observed behavior: Word runs for only a few minutes before crashing or crashes immediately upon launch. Reinstalling macOS Sequoia does not resolve the issue.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, ensure you have backed up any unsaved documents to an external drive or cloud storage, and gather your crash logs in case you need to contact Microsoft Support.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Microsoft Word and macOS

Updating both your operating system and the Word application ensures you have the latest bug fixes for rendering and authentication components.

Since the crash log indicates failures in macOS rendering and authentication-related components, running outdated builds can trigger these crashes. Reinstalling macOS alone is often insufficient without also updating to the latest Word builds.

Check for macOS Updates

Click the Apple menu, select 'System Settings', go to 'General', and click 'Software Update'. Install any pending updates for macOS Sequoia.

Update Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word (if it stays open long enough) and go to 'Help' > 'Check for Updates'. Alternatively, open the Mac App Store, click on 'Updates' in the sidebar, and update Microsoft Word from there.

Solution 2

Run Word Natively on Apple Silicon

Running the app natively instead of through the Rosetta 2 translation layer can prevent architecture-mismatch crashes like EXC_BAD_INSTRUCTION.

Solution 3

Test Without Add-ins or Templates

Third-party add-ins or corrupted templates can cause Word to crash immediately upon launch or shortly after.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Stable Mac Experience

If Microsoft Word continues to crash on your macOS Sequoia and disrupts your workflow, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly stable alternative tailored for Mac users.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the Mac version installer.
2. Install on Your Mac: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open Your Word Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word documents to continue your work seamlessly.

Native support for Apple Silicon Macs for crash-free, smooth performanceFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxLightweight installation that won't drain your Mac's resourcesFamiliar user interface requiring zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will reinstalling macOS Sequoia fix the Word crashing issue?

No, reinstalling macOS alone typically does not resolve this issue. The crash logs indicate failures in Office rendering or authentication-related components, meaning you need to update Word to the latest supported build or troubleshoot app-specific settings.

Why am I getting an EXC_BAD_INSTRUCTION error in Word?

This error generally happens on Apple silicon Macs when an app executes an invalid machine instruction. It can be caused by running the app through Rosetta instead of natively, or by outdated app components conflicting with macOS Sequoia.

How do I report these Word crashes to Microsoft?

You should collect the complete crash report (often found in the Apple Crash Reporter window or the Mac Console app), note your exact Word version (e.g., 16.95) and macOS version, and detail the steps that trigger the crash. Provide this information directly to Microsoft Support for further investigation.

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