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How to Fix Word for Mac Crashes Related to Mendeley Add-in
Question details
Microsoft Word for Mac experiences unexpected crashes or hangs, generating a SIG_HANG_QUIT diagnostic report, typically associated with the Mendeley add-in.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS 14.7
- Scenario
- Using Microsoft Word 16.90 with the Mendeley citation add-in installed.
- Observed behavior
- Word crashes or hangs during use and displays a SIG_HANG_QUIT diagnostic error report.
Before troubleshooting, ensure all your open documents are saved and check if you have your Mendeley account credentials handy in case you need to reinstall the citation manager.
Disable or Uninstall the Mendeley Add-in
Since the crash is directly related to the Mendeley add-in, removing or disabling it is the most effective way to restore Word's functionality.
Often, third-party add-ins like Mendeley become incompatible after a macOS or Microsoft Office update, leading to application hangs and SIG_HANG_QUIT errors.
Launch Microsoft Word. If it crashes immediately, try launching it while holding the Shift key to bypass startup items. Go to the 'Insert' tab and click on 'My Add-ins' or 'Get Add-ins'.
Locate the Mendeley Cite add-in in the list. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select 'Remove' to uninstall the add-in from Word.
Close Microsoft Word completely and reopen it normally to verify if the crashing issue has been resolved. If Word runs smoothly, contact Mendeley support for an updated, compatible version.
Start Your Mac in Safe Mode
Booting into Safe Mode helps determine if background services, startup items, or other system-level extensions are causing Word to hang.
Repair or Update Microsoft Office
If Word only opens correctly in Safe Mode after removing the add-in, the Office installation files might be outdated or corrupted.
Try WPS Office for a Stable, Crash-Free Mac Experience
If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to crash or hang due to add-in conflicts, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for Mac users without the bloated add-in conflicts.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly without any formatting loss.
- 3. Edit Seamlessly: Continue editing your academic or professional documents with built-in, stable formatting and reference tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the SIG_HANG_QUIT error mean in Word for Mac?
This diagnostic error indicates that the Word application has stopped responding to the macOS operating system, often due to a conflicting third-party add-in like Mendeley looping or freezing the software.
Will I lose my Mendeley citations if I disable the add-in in Word?
No, disabling or uninstalling the add-in only stops the integration with Microsoft Word. Your citation library remains safely stored in your Mendeley desktop app and your online Mendeley account.
How do I update the Mendeley add-in for Word on Mac?
You can update the add-in by opening the Mendeley Reference Manager, navigating to the Tools menu, and selecting the option to install or update Mendeley Cite for Microsoft Word. Alternatively, check for updates within the 'Get Add-ins' store in Word.
Why is the diagnostic crash report not enough to fix the issue?
The diagnostic crash report (like the SIG_HANG_QUIT log) is primarily useful to software engineers to track down exact memory faults. For users, practical troubleshooting steps like safe mode, disabling add-ins, and updating the software are the actual ways to fix the problem.
