How to Fix Word for Mac Not Opening After Big Sur Update
Question details
Microsoft Word for Mac unexpectedly quits or fails to launch after installing macOS Big Sur 11.5.2.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac 16.52
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur 11.5.2
- Scenario
- Launching Microsoft Word from the Applications folder or Dock after a recent macOS system update.
- Observed behavior
- The application crashes immediately on startup and generates a crash report indicating an issue with Forms.framework, along with a code-signature or dependent-library error.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials available, as you will need to sign back in to activate your software after reinstalling the application.
Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Word
Removing the damaged application file and performing a clean installation will replace the corrupted framework files and restore a valid code signature.
System updates can sometimes alter system permissions or corrupt the framework dependencies of existing software. Reinstalling Microsoft Word via the official installer applies the correct configurations needed for macOS Big Sur.
Open the Finder app on your Mac and click on 'Applications' in the left sidebar. Locate 'Microsoft Word.app', right-click (or control-click) the icon, and select 'Move to Trash'.
Click the Apple menu icon in the top left corner of your screen and select 'Restart'. This ensures that any corrupted system caches related to the application are cleared.
Go to the official Microsoft website or the Mac App Store to download the latest Microsoft Word installer. Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts to reinstall the application.
Switch to WPS Office for a More Stable Mac Experience
If Microsoft Office applications continue to crash or display framework errors after macOS updates, try WPS Office. It is a highly stable, lightweight, and completely free alternative that integrates flawlessly with macOS.
- 1. Download the Mac Version: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office from your Launchpad and easily open or edit your existing Word documents without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the macOS Big Sur update cause Word to crash?
Major macOS updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues with dependent libraries like Forms.framework, or invalidate an application's code signature. macOS security features will prevent apps with broken signatures from launching.
Do I need to uninstall all Office applications to fix this issue?
No. If only Microsoft Word is crashing, you only need to move 'Microsoft Word.app' to the Trash. Excel and PowerPoint can remain installed and will not be affected.
How can I prevent Word from crashing after future Mac updates?
Keep your Microsoft Office applications up to date. Open any working Office application, click 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates' to run the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool.
