3 Solutions to Fix Microsoft Word Won't Open on Mac

Recover deleted/lost Word files on Mac with Recoverit for Mac: bit.ly/2VtaJXx
In this video, we are going to show you 3 workable solutions on how to fix Microsoft Word won't open on Mac.
Microsoft Word won' t open or not responding on Mac? Fixed!
Timestamps:
Solution 1: Open and Repair Microsoft Word 1:35s
Solution 2: Remove Word Preferences 2:28s
Solution 3: Run Disk Utility to Repair Word 3:45s
Bonus: Recover Deleted/Missing Word on Mac 4:35s
Solution 1: Open and Repair Microsoft Word
Step 1: Open MS Word Application and tap the “File” menu. Click “Open” and choose the corrupted word file that you want to repair.
Step 2: Choose “Repair” from the bottom-right of the window. Press “OK” and this will initiate the repairing process.
Solution 2: Remove Word Preferences
Step 1: Click “Go” and open the “Go to Folder” application. Type ~/Library in the search bar and press enter.
Step 2: Locate and open the “Preferences” folder and search for “com.microsoft.Word.plist” file inside it.
Step 3: Move the file to your desktop. Try opening MS Word and see if it works or not.
Step 4: In case you still cannot open Word document on Mac, restore the file to its original location and continue with the next steps.
Step 5: Close all the Microsoft applications and select the “Word” icon in the top menu bar. Now, click on “Preferences”.
Step 6: Click “File Locations” and select “User Templates”.
Step 7: You’ll see a file named “Normal”. Simply, move this file to the desktop.
Again, re-launch MS Word and it’ll work without triggering any errors.
Solution 3: Run Disk Utility to Repair Word
Step 1: In the “Go” menu, select “Utilities” and launch the “Disk Utility” program.
Step 2: Select your primary hard disk and select the “First Aid” tab.
Step 3: Tap “Run” to repair the entire disk volume. This will also repair the damaged MS Word file.
Bonus: Recover Deleted/Missing Word on Mac with Recoverit Data Recovery
At this point, you’ve learned why word will not open on Mac and you’re most likely to have fixed the Microsoft Word not opening on Mac problem. However, it is common for people to accidentally delete their MS Word files while trying to repair a damaged file or fixing the issue. In this case, Recoverit Word Recovery Software can help. Give it a try if you need to recover permanently deleted Word files.
Text Tutorial: recoverit.wondershare.com/mac...
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[@Obad87]

This video was a life saver! Was about to teach a class and was locked out of all my notes in my lap top. Thank you! I think it was the third solution that worked for me moving the "normal" file

[@munthir6584]

Me: Microsoft Word won't open. Him: Ok to solve this problem OPEN UP Microsoft Word.... ???

[@mj-tj2lg]

lol exactly like tf

[@thydaseng8716]

force quit before you open it

[@toshideku8866]

Thank you so so much! I had a really strange error occur out of nowhere where I couldn't open any duplicated word documents. Which I needed to do because I create backups constantly. Instead an error about not having the appropriate permissions kept showing up. It was really strange. But following your video and using the repair function fixed it completely! Thank you so much. It was so difficult trying to find a tutorial on how to fix this issue that was aimed at a Mac computer and not a windows one!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!

[@akhidel7816]

This video actually worked in my case. I could not open Word Application on my mac that i have downloaded from the App Store, but by simply 'Remove Word Preferences' to the desktop once and then delete it afterwards actually worked for me. Thanks to this video i can finally after a couples of hours trying to problem solve my issue now use Word again. Thanks for sharing the tips!

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Welcome Akhi. Please subscribe our channel.

[@hudsonkelly72]

Yeah! The third option worked for me on my Mac! Thank you so much! I tried the first two options and was bummed then I tried the third and it worked. Great job on this video! It's easy to understand. Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate you :) :) :)

[@gorjoyzann]

Hello, do you have a fix for opening embedded zipped folders and pdf files on ms word using mac? I have tried looking up on google and youtube but it hasn't been discussed that much.

[@billmunro3533]

I've tried the repair process but I get a completely different window from the one show 2m 22s in on your video. It looks to me that you're working from a Finder window, opened when clicking on an option on the Word menu. I don't get the bottom menu options in the Finder window - certainly not a drop down, showing Original, recover text and repair options. I'm running Office 365 on Catalina 10.15.7. Any ideas please? Incidentally the second option seems to work. I have been importing rtf files produced via WordPad on a Windows laptop

[@godididiya9091]

I try to record macros by changing the paper format on word document from A4 to A3 but it goes on to highlight the whole page and not working. I never press any command key to highlight anything but it does that

[@syedmuzu9942]

Thank for this bro please make videos and grow well

[@crystalpeters2455]

I moved the file "Normal" to the desktop. It made it worse. Now I cannot close Word at all. How do I move the file back to its original location?

[@adamwood9097]

Solution 3 worked for me (couldn't open Microsoft Excel). Thanks for your help!

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Glad it helped! Please subscribe our channel.

[@diycraftyprojects5903]

What about if I can still open my word but I cannot make any modification to a document or type something to an ew document? The message says that the "selection is locked." What seems to be the problem? My subscription is good. Thanks

[@kavdorah1689]

Thank you so much, it miraculously worked using the third method. Thanks a bunch, and well done !

[@wanfarahdianawanadli8215]

Thank you very much for your video. It really helps me!

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Glad it helped! Don't forget to subscribe our channel.

[@sonyabest8847]

You saved me! This video was super clear and easy to follow. It was straight to the point which I loved. Thank you so much!

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Most welcome!!! Please subscribe our channel.

[@LekaDalipi]

How to put the normal.dotm back on?

[@ratraraunaq]

Its incredible ..how you showcase diversity in your videos as example as well (Sikh gentlemen) -- GREAT WORK

[@valeriemak1281]

It worked!! Thank you!

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

You're welcome!

[@gladysderhovanesian2187]

Thank you, it was helpful 🙏🏻

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Glad to hear that! Please subscribe our channel.

[@azzahs95]

LIFE SAVER !!!! thank goodness. i thought i had to re do everything. this pandemic is really testing my computer skills LOL thought i was computer literate but im such a noob. After trying everything this video showed, i finally can open everything without a problem and i feel like a genius already hehehe THANK YOU

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Most welcome. Please hit the subscribe button.

[@Patton001]

First Aid one worked for me, and was the simplest!

[@deliodownload]

Thank you very much the 3rd option worked for me

[@zahraakram8942]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!

[@thomasmullackalofficial8004]

Finally I was able to fix it. Thank you!😇!

[@racheleglanov3028]

Hi, the second method worked for me when it happened the first time, now it happened again and none of the options work. Is there anything else I can try?

[@User37470]

omg thank you so much!!! I was on the verge of break down but it helped !!

[@jamesmarsh2828]

Thanks this finally fixed my problem with saving documents

[@sohaibr.3257]

The first solution helped me, thank you (Macbook Air M2; bought new August 2022 in Texsa, USA)

[@h.w.williams1864]

My Word App won't open at all. It is giving a "library missing" code and message. What now?

[@anupamsahakolkata]

THANKS A LOT

[@barrybbenson9151]

My word application has a cross through it and says "You can’t open the application “Microsoft Word” because it may be damaged or incomplete". What should I do?

[@songsungnew3572]

You can't click on the Word icon if Word won't load. That's the problem. Getting Word to open, not a particular file.

[@DRtheDon28]

Have you figured it out? I’m still lost over here

[@hamidaalali6527]

@@DRtheDon28 did you find a solution?

[@thydaseng8716]

@@DRtheDon28 if u can't open by clicking on the icon, first force quit it and then reopen. it worked in my case

[@justinsquires40]

Thank You the information was a great help. CHEERS

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Glad it helped!!! Don't forget to subscribe our channel.

[@Coolit2683]

I absolutely hate Mac's... I do I.T. support for pretty much anything. I have to thank you. Step #2 resolved my clients word issue. You're awesome, your walk-through is flawless! As for my hate, it's my own, I do respect that it does a great job in many ways, has a quality terminal and is a great device for specific uses. Also that once you are in that environment and it works for you, it can be an amazing device. But people who use it to replace Windows in a business with Windows servers... that's a facepalm.

[@pasakornparakkamanon5662]

Thank you

[@montfennelfilms]

I tried solution 2, starting with step 5... I moved the file named "Normal.dotm" to my desktop and Word now works... But how do I remove this file from my desktop and put it back where it was? What its the name of the folder it belongs in and how do I find it? Thanks.

[@LekaDalipi]

I asked the same question

[@CassandraEvergreen]

Hey did you end up finding a solution?

[@jeanclaude5205]

On my MacBook Air, When I type on a letter, no results are received. I notice that the toolbar is not enabled. Thank you helping me.

[@bemnetmerkebu9640]

U are a life saver my bruv!

[@eveddie4176]

Thanks! 2 worked for me

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

You're welcome! Please subscribe our KZbin channel for latest technical videos.

[@angelibonifacio7016]

thanks man worked on first try

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Glad I could help. Please subscribe our channel.

[@angelanutu1]

Your method worked!! Thank you

[@Ysrsobh]

thank you for this video 👏

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

You're welcome 😊Please subscribe to our channel!

[@IAMHIM414]

I have a iMac 2010 with catalina with Microsoft office 2021. My Google chrome crashed and my Microsoft I’m so lost. I was told that the machine is too old and catalina is too advanced. Please help someone.

[@celialopez-ocon871]

I can not open the app, at all!

[@naimab3119]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[@KMon-lm1mk]

If I move the normal.dotm template to my desktop and it doesn't fix the issue do I need to move it back to my user templates? Because it won't let me.

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Hi there, thank you for your question! Try restoring it by copying it from the desktop and pasting it into the original folder location. If that doesn't work, you can repair Microsoft Office by opening the "Applications" folder, right-clicking on Microsoft Office, selecting "Get Info," checking the "Open in 32-bit mode" option, and then attempting to open Word again. If the problem persists, consider reinstalling Microsoft Office after uninstalling it using the official uninstaller, and then reinstalling from the original source.

[@BareCravings]

i did everything you said and nothing changed.

[@jschneider7344]

None of these and many other suggestions help me. I can repair and open a document one at a time. Must I go through each document like this? I'd like a fix for all at once.

[@Obad87]

I've had this happen to me twice. First time I think the second solution worked. This time it didn't but I logged out and logged back in and seems fine I guess for now anyway.

[@INSPIREZON]

Thank you it works on mine

[@molly5939]

Can you guys help me? My 1 file in Microsoft Word has corrupted and I don't know what to do 😭😭and I am using a Mac.

[@dylanc.5269]

What about the reverse? I’ve been having an issue where I’ll type something on MSWord on my Mac, save it onto a flash drive, and try to open it on a windows computer or non IOS and the file won’t or can’t be opened. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Hi there, thank you for your question! The file format may not be compatible with the version of MSWord installed on the other computer. Try save the file as a RTF or PDF1 file.

[@miwie]

TYSM ILY YOU SAVED MY LIFE

[@IamKenshin_]

Does this work for regular pc as well

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Yes Of course.

[@khannaankit102]

the problem with me is with excel and I can't at all use any command from ribbon on my Mac. How do you fix that. Like, for example I have use Find and replace from the drop down ton the ribbon but it won't work at all. This and many other commands won't work. Please get me out of it.

[@sallyrobarts6892]

My word opens I have completed work on Word. However it won't print have you any. videos on this please ? I am about to throw the thing out of the window ?

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Hi Sally, we don't have any video on this issue yet but will surely make it in future.

[@heatherstanworth9816]

Can you help me on excel that won’t open?

[@markdombrovski5372]

awesome!

[@azhambafadal2654]

thank you my ms.word already work

[@saraw5143]

It worked!

[@imanol6442]

Hey, I really need your help, I’m a university student so I’m constantly having to download word documents in order for me to study and do my work. The issue I’m having on my mac is that when i download a word document it can’t be opened by word, I don’t even get a pop-up message or nothing, it simply just doesn’t open it. I’m having trouble as I’ve tried everything and it doesn’t get fixed. Hopefully you can help me with this.

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Hi there, Thank you for your question. It sounds like your Mac may not be associating Word documents with the Microsoft Word application, which is preventing you from opening them directly. Here are a few steps you can take to try and fix the issue: 1. Open Word first: Try opening the Microsoft Word application first, and then opening the document from within the application itself. To do this, open Word and then use the "File" menu to navigate to the folder where the document is saved, and then open it from there. 2. Check the file extension: Make sure that the file extension of the downloaded document is ".docx". If it's not, you may need to manually change the file extension to ".docx". To do this, right-click on the document, select "Get Info", and then change the file extension to ".docx" if necessary. 3. Associate Word with the file type: You may need to associate Word with the file type manually. To do this, right-click on the Word document and select "Open With", then choose "Microsoft Word" from the list of applications. You can also select "Get Info" and then choose Word as the default application to open this type of file. 4. Try updating Word: Make sure you have the latest version of Microsoft Word installed on your Mac. You can check for updates by opening Word and going to the "Help" menu and selecting "Check for Updates". If none of these steps work, you may need to seek further assistance from Microsoft or Apple support.

[@laura.laboone]

Okay, posting in case this helps someone. None of these solutions worked. I finally figured out that I just needed to update the Word app on my Mac. Lol that was my solution!

[@danissiahidalgo6928]

Any of those first 3 options work for me :(

[@daisytrevino4895]

I tried to put the norm.dotm file back into templates and it's not working

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Hi Daisy, we didn't get you.

[@LekaDalipi]

@@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware I have the same issue. After takign the normal.dotm file to desktop. How do we put it back on

[@jamesfinch7617]

mine has ~$ on it and nothing works, any help?

[@sabrinarahat5600]

the problem is that when ever you click on word doc it say you dont have permission to use it .....and you are asking us to click on word doc ....dah

[@malaikaklinkhammer2937]

i still cannot open it. When i try it says - You can’t open the application “Microsoft Word” because it may be damaged or incomplete.

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Well it looks to us that you have a problem with Microsoft Word package and not the file. Please reinstall or repair the Word package first.

[@lizatosha7160]

Wow! It was in the bin all along!

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Hi there, Could you please elaborate on your question? We're glad to help.

[@moccha568]

hi how do you fix : you cant make changes because selection is locked

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Hi there, thank you for your question! Click on the Edit Anyway button if it’s available in the message that appears when you try to edit the document. Disable the Mark as Final option in the File menu. Unprotect the document with a password if you know it.

[@moccha568]

@@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware Thank you for your response I've tried everything but still having problems... 😭

[@mohamedadamfarah4753]

Thanks so much Really you helped me

[@bruuuidogames1944]

There is no 'go' menu!

[@chantelkatongera]

dude how am I supposed to open the app when it still is not opening seriously???

[@justhuman3424]

all did not work for me

[@ahmadfauzanfadhlurrahman8563]

Thanks, 3:23 really helped. I'll give you a subscribe

[@Jokester1338]

Nothing worked

[@sabinebertrand6547]

🎉

[@rarecoral212]

Nothing helped

[@return7294]

Thanks from Ukrainian users!)

[@panjavarnames]

don't have Mac TEAM

[@a.s9509]

didn't work for me

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Hi there, thank you for your question! Can you please provide me with some more information does nothing happen when u try to launch it do you get an error message?

[@a.s9509]

@@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware Nothing happened. The problems is still there!

[@kendee46]

Spoke far too quickly it stresses me out even more

[@Lin-vg5wy]

not helpful but appreciate your video

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Thank you for your like.

[@gatoguatemala]

Total scam I have written several times and they delete my comments I bought the full version and it took more than 72 hours to recover the files of which none served all say error I think they only steal your information they never respond

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Thank you very much for letting us know about your situation. Wondershare values every single opinion from our customers. I truly understand your disappointment. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to you and we really hope to make it right for you. We failed to locate your order number. Could you please tell us your order number or licensed email? We want to compensate for all the inconvenience caused to you in this process. We will help you to contact our technical support and solve your issue.

[@veldrinekapesha2178]

You are fine 😍

[@gavhlev2853]

you speak so fast... i’m new

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Sorry for that. You can check the video description for step by step details.

[@megankelly289]

Wow, you’re ridiculously good looking 😍🥰

[@toddmoore9396]

PLEASE SLOW DOWN. You're going too fast.

[@genesuleman4844]

The document was recovered but the content was lost how do I recover that?

[@RecoveritDataRecoverySoftware]

Hi there, We are very sorry to hear that. If you encounter any issues with our product, please contact our customer support account through direct Message to ensure that your issue can be resolved in a timely manner. Official support website👉support.wondershare.com/