Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Office for Mac Freezing on M1, M2, and M3 Macs

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need a solution for frequent application freezing when using Microsoft Office on recent MacBooks.

Product: Microsoft Office for Mac
Device & OS: macOS (Apple Silicon M1, M2, M3)
Scenario: Using Microsoft Office versions 16.89 or 16.90 for daily tasks on Apple Silicon MacBooks.
Observed behavior: The Office application becomes completely unresponsive and freezes for about two minutes multiple times during regular use.

Before you start

Ensure your macOS is fully updated and save all your open documents, as these troubleshooting steps require restarting your Mac and potentially modifying application files.

Solution 1Recommended

Boot Mac in Safe Mode to Test Startup Items

Running your Mac in Safe Mode helps determine if background startup items or conflicting third-party software are causing Office to freeze.

Safe Mode performs basic disk checks and prevents some unnecessary software, like startup items and background extensions, from loading.

Shut down your Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select 'Shut Down'. Wait until your Mac is completely turned off.

Boot into startup options

Press and hold the power button on your Mac until you see 'Loading startup options' appear on the screen, then release it.

Enter Safe Mode

Select your startup volume (usually named Macintosh HD). Press and hold the Shift key, then click 'Continue in Safe Mode' when it appears below the volume.

Test Office performance

Once logged in, open your Microsoft Office applications and use them normally to see if the two-minute freezes still occur.

Solution 2

Completely Uninstall and Reinstall Office

If Safe Mode does not resolve the issue, corrupted application files may be at fault. A clean reinstallation can clear these errors.

Solution 3

Open a Microsoft Support Ticket

If local troubleshooting fails to stop the freezing on versions 16.89 or 16.90, the issue may require escalation to Microsoft support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Mac Experience

If Microsoft Office continues to freeze on your Apple Silicon Mac and disrupts your productivity, try WPS Office. It is highly optimized for M1, M2, and M3 chips, offering a lightweight, lightning-fast alternative that won't interrupt your workflow with unexpected hangs.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version specially optimized for Apple Silicon.
2. Install the application: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open your existing files: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without any formatting loss.

Native support for Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) ensuring fast performance with no freezing.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation size that saves disk space and system memory.Free to download and use with a highly familiar, easy-to-navigate interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Office 16.89 or 16.90 freeze on my Mac?

These specific versions of Microsoft Office may have underlying compatibility or performance bugs when running on Apple's M-series chips (M1, M2, M3), causing the applications to temporarily hang or freeze for roughly two minutes.

Will reinstalling Office delete my saved documents?

No, uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Office applications only removes the software files. Your personal Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations saved on your local drive or in OneDrive will remain completely safe.

How do I check if my Mac uses an M1, M2, or M3 chip?

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'About This Mac'. Under the 'Chip' or 'Processor' section, it will clearly state if your device is running on an Apple M1, M2, or M3 processor.

What happens when I boot my Mac in Safe Mode?

Safe Mode runs a diagnostic check on your startup disk, clears system cache files, and prevents certain software—like login items and non-essential system extensions—from loading. This helps isolate whether a third-party app is causing Office to freeze.

Office App Problems