Several Microsoft apps will not update

Question

I have not been able to save documents or open a new document in word or excel. I just renewed early, and tried to update Microsoft 365. Several Microsoft apps will not update including Excel, Word powerpoint. When attempting to update, it says "some apps have encountered errors.

Answer 1

Force Get updates for Microsoft 365 apps as follows:

1. Open any Microsoft 365 application, such as Word or Excel.
2. On the File menu, click Account.
3. If you're doing this from Outlook, select File, and then Office Account.
4. On the right side of the screen, from the Update Options drop-down list, click Update Now. If your applications are current, a message is displayed indicating you're up to date.
5. If this update process wasn't successful, try restarting your computer and doing the above steps again.

Source of this solution with more info- https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Office/lifecycle/fix-office-update-errors

Answer 2

Hi

Since Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are all failing to update, I would first repair Microsoft AutoUpdate rather than troubleshoot each app separately.

Please close all Microsoft 365 apps, then download and install the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate using Microsoft's instructions here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/office-for-mac/troubleshoot-microsoft-autoupdate-in-microsoft-365-and-office-for-mac

Restart your Mac, open Word, then go to Help > Check for Updates > Update All.

If the same error remains, reinstall Microsoft 365 and sign in with the same Microsoft account you used to renew your subscription:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/lifecycle/officeinstall/download-install-or-reinstall-microsoft-365-or-office-2024-on-a-pc-or-mac

Reinstalling Office will not delete your existing Word or Excel documents.

Answer 3

On macOS, this symptom matches Office entering reduced functionality mode: apps can open, but editing, saving, or creating new files is blocked until the apps are updated.

Try this in order:

1. Check the macOS version first.
   • Office updates for this issue require macOS 12 or later.
2. Close all Office apps completely.
3. Open Microsoft AutoUpdate directly:
   • Finder > Applications > Microsoft AutoUpdate
   • If it is not there, check: /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0/
4. In Microsoft AutoUpdate:
   • Select the arrow next to Update if review options are shown.
   • Select Update All, or update Word, Excel, and PowerPoint individually.
5. After updates finish, reopen an Office app and test saving or creating a new file.

If the apps were installed from the App Store instead of microsoft.com:

1. Close all Office apps.
2. Open the App Store.
3. Select Updates from the sidebar.
4. Update Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft OneNote.
5. Reopen the apps and test again.

If the apps still stay in reduced functionality mode after updating:

1. Quit the app fully with Command + Q.
2. Reopen the app.
3. Go to the app’s Account settings.
4. Sign out, then sign in again.

If Microsoft AutoUpdate reports app update errors and the Mac cannot update to macOS 12 or later, the required Office update cannot be installed on that device.

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References:

• Unknown Error 0x0 or License not found error in Microsoft 365 or Office running on macOS
• Update Microsoft 365 or Office on your macOS or iOS device
• Certificate update for Microsoft 365 apps on managed macOS and iOS devices
• Update Microsoft 365 on your work or school macOS or iOS device