how to fix the add-in error in mendeley

Question

I downloaded Mendeley desktop, launched it in word but the add in error occurred. I tried using the second option of file>options>add ins but cannot see the downloaded Mendeley desktop or even the wordplugin. I tried adding it from Mendeley tool but still I am being told it cannot connect to catalog. I tried using tool but the option for wordplugin is not there

Answer 1

Hello,

That catalog connection error generally means Word is being blocked from reaching out to the Microsoft add-in servers. To get this sorted I just need a little more background on how you are running Word.

• Are you using a school or work email for your Office account? IT administrators tend to lock out access to the add-in store on managed accounts which throws that exact catalog error.
• What exact version of Office are you currently running?
• Could you also check your account privacy settings in Word and let me know if optional connected experiences is enabled?

Reply back with those details so I can find out what is causing this.

Answer 2

The issue is most likely with the Word add-in itself (COM or application add-in) rather than Word in general. Use these steps to troubleshoot on the Word side:

1. Check if the add-in is disabled or hidden
   1. In Word, go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
   2. At the bottom, in the Manage list, check each of these in turn and select Go:
      • COM Add-ins
      • Word Add-ins (or other application-specific add-ins)
   3. Look for any entry related to Mendeley. If found:
      • Make sure it is checked (to enable it), then select OK.
      • If it appears under Disabled Application Add-ins, change Manage to Disabled Items, select Go, re-enable it, and restart Word.
2. Verify add-in categories and status In File > Options > Add-Ins, check the list categories:
   • Active Application Add-ins: confirms the add-in is loaded and running.
   • Inactive Application Add-ins: present but not loaded; enable via the Manage dropdown and Go.
   • Disabled Application Add-ins: Word has disabled these because they caused crashes; re-enable via Disabled Items in the Manage list. Confirm whether any Mendeley-related add-in appears in these lists and adjust accordingly.
3. Start Word in Safe Mode to rule out conflicts
   1. Close Word.
   2. Open Run (Windows key + R).
   3. Type winword /safe and press Enter.
   4. In Safe Mode, go to File > Options > Add-Ins and repeat the checks above for COM and Word add-ins.
   • If Word behaves differently in Safe Mode, another add-in may be conflicting. Disable other non-essential add-ins (uncheck them in COM Add-ins and Word Add-ins) and then try enabling only the Mendeley add-in.
4. Repair Office if the add-in still does not appear If the Mendeley installer reports success but Word never shows the add-in in any category, repair Office so Word’s add-in infrastructure is healthy:
   1. Close all Office apps.
   2. In Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & Features), select the Office product.
   3. Choose Modify and run an Online Repair (more thorough than Quick Repair).
   4. After repair completes, restart the computer, then reinstall the Mendeley Word plugin from Mendeley’s tools and check File > Options > Add-Ins again.

If the Mendeley tools still cannot connect to their catalog or do not offer the Word plugin option at all, that part must be resolved on the Mendeley side (network, account, or installer issue). Once their installer successfully registers the Word add-in, Word will surface it under COM Add-ins or Word Add-ins, where it can be enabled or disabled as described above.

---

References:

• View, manage, and install add-ins for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC
• How can I get office 365 to work? - Microsoft Q&A
• how to fix word error - Microsoft Q&A
• We're Sorry but Word Has Run Into an Error - Microsoft Q&A
• In MS Word, when I hit the "end" key, it deletes the first paragraph of the document - Microsoft Q&A
• how do I if the error run-time error 53 on 365 that I just purchased - Microsoft Q&A