Cannot save in Word for Mac - endless loop

Question

When I try to save a document  everything goes normally until I click Save in the dialog box. Word then displays the Save As dialog box and will continue doing so every time I click Save. It seems to be a hard loop.

I called Microsoft and they gave me some steps. It didn't solve the problem. Then, they told me to purchase 365 and then they could help me with technical support. Really? 

This is a serious issue and I need a fix that doesn't involve vast technical knowledge. I am an editor on deadlines and I can't save any of my documents. Not a good thing.

Answer 1

You will not lose any document.

You can try out following also (Only for Word not for Office)

Try following -

1. Start your Mac in Safe Mode to determine if some other program is conflicting

https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht201262

2. Create a new user account to rule out corruption

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/243921...

3. The problems for Office 365 / 2016 on Mac are solved, also, by following -
4. Updating Mac OS to latest
5. Followed by updating Office to latest. Sometimes, it requires many tries before Mac detects an update for Office

Updating Mac OS to latest

To get Mac OS updates, go to the App store on your dock, and then click the Updates button to reveal available updates.

Updating Word to latest

a. Open Word

b. Go to the Help menu and choose Check for Updates

c. Let AutoUpdate check for and install updates

d. Restart your Mac

Thanks. Will try. Are these steps in order or just separate steps? I mean, do I start in Safe mode, then create new user account and then update (although, I have automatic weekly updates and always update everything when I am supposed to update them)? Or do I just try each of these separately?

Answer 2

All steps are distinct. Not related to each other.

Answer 3

You will not lose any document.

You can try out following also (Only for Word not for Office)

Try following -

1. Start your Mac in Safe Mode to determine if some other program is conflicting

https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht201262

2. Create a new user account to rule out corruption

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/243921...

3. The problems for Office 365 / 2016 on Mac are solved, also, by following -
4. Updating Mac OS to latest
5. Followed by updating Office to latest. Sometimes, it requires many tries before Mac detects an update for Office

Updating Mac OS to latest

To get Mac OS updates, go to the App store on your dock, and then click the Updates button to reveal available updates.

Updating Word to latest

a. Open Word

b. Go to the Help menu and choose Check for Updates

c. Let AutoUpdate check for and install updates

d. Restart your Mac

Answer 4

1. What is your Mac OS version?
2. What is your Office version?
3. You can try to troubleshoot by completely uninstalling it and then reinstalling it.

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Troubl...

Thank you for your reply.

1. High Sierra 10.13.3
2. Word 2016, not Office just Word for Mac
3. If I uninstall Word ...not sure if directions to do this because your link provides directions for Office only. Don't want to lose everything I have. The technician already had me do this step:
4. Remove:
   • com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist (if present)
   • com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper.plist (if present)

Did this and it didn't change anything. Also, will I lose it all if I uninstall and reinstall?

Answer 5

1. What is your Mac OS version?
2. What is your Office version?
3. You can try to troubleshoot by completely uninstalling it and then reinstalling it.

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Troubl...