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Fix Office for Mac Hanging When Selecting MFA Security Key
Question details
Users cannot authenticate using a physical security key (like a YubiKey) in locally installed Microsoft Office applications on Mac due to the application hanging.
- Product
- Microsoft Office for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to log into Microsoft Office desktop applications using a physical FIDO2 security key for multifactor authentication (MFA).
- Observed behavior
- The Office application freezes or hangs indefinitely, and the expected PIN prompt for the security key fails to appear. Browser-based authentication continues to function normally.
Ensure you have a secondary authentication method, such as a mobile authenticator app or SMS, registered to your Microsoft account before attempting to troubleshoot physical security key issues.
Switch to Microsoft Authenticator Passwordless Sign-in
Since this is a known bug that persists across various macOS profiles and versions, bypassing the physical security key using an authenticator app is the most reliable workaround.
Many organizations facing this issue on Mac have successfully switched from FIDO2 physical security keys to Microsoft Authenticator notifications.
This completely bypasses the embedded web view bug in the macOS Office applications.
Download and install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Add your organizational or personal Microsoft account to the Authenticator app, ensuring that push notifications are enabled.
Open Word or Excel on your Mac. At the sign-in prompt, enter your email and select 'Approve a request on my Microsoft Authenticator app' instead of using a security key.
Match the number shown on your Mac screen with the notification on your phone to complete the authentication process.
Update macOS and Microsoft Office Software
Applying the latest patches to both your operating system and Office applications can occasionally resolve underlying compatibility issues with security protocols.
Experience Smooth Document Management with WPS Office
If Microsoft Office authentication bugs are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for Mac users without the hassle of complex Entra ID security key hangs on desktop apps.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS installation package.
- 2. Install and launch: Drag the application into your Applications folder and launch it. You can sign in smoothly using standard email, Google, or Apple credentials.
- 3. Open existing files: Directly open your existing Microsoft Office files with full formatting retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my YubiKey work in Safari but not in Office for Mac?
Locally installed Office applications on Mac use different embedded web view components for authentication. These components may lack proper implementation for physical FIDO2 security keys, causing hangs, whereas full browsers like Safari or Edge handle the security key protocols natively.
Will creating a new macOS profile fix the MFA hanging issue?
No. Testing by users and IT administrators indicates that the issue persists across different macOS user profiles. This suggests the problem is rooted in how the Office application interacts with the macOS security layer, rather than a corrupted user profile.
Is the security key hanging issue resolved in macOS 14.1?
Currently, users report that the security key hanging issue in Microsoft Office still occurs on macOS Sonoma 14.1. While updating is always recommended for security, it does not reliably fix this specific bug.
How can I access my documents if the Office desktop app refuses to authenticate?
If you are locked out of your desktop applications, you can navigate to office.com using a supported web browser. Web-based authentication generally supports physical security keys without hanging, allowing you to use Microsoft 365 web apps in the meantime.
