My Microsoft Applications will not open

Question

The apps will not open. Unable to update. the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool is stalling

Answer 1

If your Microsoft applications are not opening and the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool is stalling, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check for Updates Manually: Sometimes, the AutoUpdate tool may stall due to network issues or other factors. Try manually checking for updates by opening any Office application, going to the File tab, selecting Account, and then clicking on Update Options to check for updates.
2. Reinstall the Applications: If the applications still do not open, consider reinstalling them. This can resolve issues that may have occurred due to corrupted files.
3. Check for macOS Compatibility: Ensure that your version of Microsoft Office is compatible with your version of macOS. If you are using an outdated version of Office, it may not function properly on newer versions of macOS.
4. Review Error Messages: If you receive specific error messages when trying to open the applications, take note of them as they can provide clues to the underlying issue.
5. Reset Microsoft AutoUpdate: If the AutoUpdate tool is still stalling, you might need to reset it. You can do this by quitting the tool and then restarting it to see if it resolves the issue.

If these steps do not resolve the problem, further investigation may be necessary, such as checking system logs or contacting Microsoft support for assistance.

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References:

• "Microsoft program cannot be opened because of a problem" error when you start an Office program
• Automatic updating for Microsoft Office is not enabled