Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Word Dark Mode Underline Colors Not Inverting

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a bug where underline colors in Microsoft Word do not display or invert correctly when Dark Mode is enabled, and the underline color palette becomes completely disabled during editing.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Applying underline formatting and attempting to change underline colors while working on a document with the Microsoft Word Dark Mode theme active.
Observed behavior: Underline colors fail to invert properly in Dark Mode, and the underline color palette is unexpectedly disabled. Standard troubleshooting steps like repairing, reinstalling, and registry cleanup do not resolve the issue.

Before you start

Verify your current Microsoft Word version under File > Account, as Microsoft occasionally releases patch updates that address specific Dark Mode UI glitches.

Solution 1Recommended

Roll Back to a Previous Version of Microsoft Word

Since this is a recognized bug in recent Microsoft 365 updates, reverting to a previously working build can restore normal underline color functionality in Dark Mode.

Testing on fresh installations indicates this is a general design defect in newer Microsoft 365 builds. If the underline colors worked perfectly for you a few weeks or months ago, rolling back the software version is the most effective immediate fix while waiting for an official Microsoft patch.

Check current version

Open Microsoft Word, navigate to 'File' > 'Account', and click 'About Word' to note down your current build number.

Disable automatic updates

On the same 'Account' page, click 'Update Options' and select 'Disable Updates' to prevent Word from automatically upgrading back to the buggy version.

Revert the Office installation

Use the Office Deployment Tool or open an elevated Command Prompt to run the rollback command targeting an older build number where the feature functioned correctly.

Advanced Procedure: Rolling back Microsoft Office requires using command-line tools. Ensure you carefully follow official Microsoft documentation for the Office Deployment Tool.

Solution 2

Switch Office Theme to Light Mode

Because the bug is isolated entirely to the Dark Mode interface, switching your Office theme back to Light Mode will re-enable the underline color palette.

Solution 3

Report the Bug via the Word Feedback Platform

Since testing confirms this is a general Microsoft 365 design defect, reporting it directly helps developers prioritize a fix.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Flawless Dark Mode Experience

If Microsoft Word's interface bugs are slowing down your work, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with a beautifully designed, fully functional Dark Mode that doesn't compromise formatting tools.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Open your Word documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly without losing any formatting.
3. Enable Dark Mode: Navigate to the bottom right corner or the 'View' tab and toggle Dark Mode on to enjoy a bug-free dark editing environment.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteFlawless Dark Mode without UI glitches or disabled palettesHighly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsFamiliar interface for a seamless, zero-learning-curve migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the underline color palette disabled in Word Dark Mode?

This is a known software bug in certain versions of Microsoft 365. The Dark Mode interface fails to properly render or invert custom underline colors, causing the application to disable the palette entirely during editing.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the Dark Mode underline bug?

No. Standard troubleshooting steps like reinstalling the software, removing add-ins, deleting templates, or cleaning the registry do not resolve this issue because it is a core software design defect rather than a localized file corruption.

How do I check my current Microsoft Word version?

You can check your specific build and version by opening Word, clicking on 'File', selecting 'Account', and looking under the 'About Word' section on the right side of the screen.

Can I still use colored underlines in Microsoft Word?

Yes, the feature still works perfectly in Light Mode. You can temporarily switch your Office Theme back to 'White' or 'Colorful' under File > Account to regain full access to the underline color palette until Microsoft releases a patch.

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