How to Fix Office for Mac Not Working After macOS Catalina Upgrade
Question details
Microsoft Office applications stop working, crash, or fail to open after the operating system is upgraded to macOS Catalina.
- Product
- Microsoft Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Catalina
- Scenario
- Upgrading the Mac operating system to macOS Catalina.
- Observed behavior
- Office applications become damaged, stop working entirely, or fail to verify the subscription account due to version incompatibility or an outdated AutoUpdate tool.
Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection and that you have your Microsoft account login credentials available before proceeding with updates or reinstallation.
Update Office using Microsoft AutoUpdate
macOS Catalina requires 64-bit applications. Updating through the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate tool resolves most compatibility issues caused by older 32-bit Office versions.
If you are running an outdated version of Microsoft AutoUpdate, it may fail to fetch the necessary updates to make your Office applications compatible with macOS Catalina.
Download and install the latest version of the Microsoft AutoUpdate package for Mac directly from Microsoft's official download page.
Open the newly installed Microsoft AutoUpdate tool from your Mac's Applications folder.
Click 'Check for Updates' and install all available 64-bit updates for your Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
Once the updates are fully installed, restart your Mac and try launching an Office application.
Verify Your Office Subscription License
Sometimes the OS upgrade disrupts your stored login session, preventing Office from verifying your active subscription.
Completely Uninstall and Reinstall Office
If the Office applications remain damaged or refuse to update, performing a clean uninstallation and reinstallation is required.
Try WPS Office for Mac - Fully Compatible with macOS
If you are tired of update loops, broken applications, and compatibility issues with Microsoft Office after macOS upgrades, try WPS Office. It is a lightweight, fast, and highly compatible alternative that works seamlessly on modern macOS versions, including Catalina and later.
- 1. Download for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the WPS Office for Mac installer.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your files instantly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office files without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft Office stop working right after I upgraded to macOS Catalina?
macOS Catalina officially dropped support for all 32-bit applications. If you were running an older, 32-bit version of Microsoft Office (like Office 2011 or early builds of Office 2016), the macOS system will block it from launching. You must update to a 64-bit version.
Do I have to pay again to update Office for Catalina compatibility?
If you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription or a supported standalone version (like Office 2019), the 64-bit update is completely free via Microsoft AutoUpdate. If you own an unsupported legacy version like Office 2011, you will need to purchase a new license or switch to a free alternative like WPS Office.
How do I know if my Microsoft AutoUpdate tool is outdated?
If Microsoft AutoUpdate fails to find new updates, gets stuck checking for updates, or crashes immediately upon opening, it is likely outdated. You can manually download the newest AutoUpdate package directly from Microsoft's official Mac support page.
What should I do if my Office account cannot be verified on Mac after the update?
First, log in to Office.com in your web browser to confirm your subscription is still active and has not expired. If it is active, try resetting your Microsoft account password or completely reinstalling the Office applications to clear out corrupted cached credentials.
