Microsoft Word runs very slow on my Mac

Microsoft just released a new update to MS WORD 16.85.2... There are no release notes to this new update. I'm beginning my tests now.

Regarding the installation of previous versions, the original recommendation was to install 16.83 and not 16.84, as the latter also presented the same performance issues.

Crossing my fingers... Cheers

[Edited by Moderator]

The Auto Update should find it automatically... At least mine did. I've been using the last update for two hours without any spinning wheel or slowness. By this time, it would required to close WORD and restart it.

Update: Using it the last update for +2 hours without excessive memory usage from 16.85. From previous experience, the memory consumption would be higher than 1.5 GB — So far, so good!!

Great news! I found WORD 16.86 is out! I am presently downloading it on my Mac… Fingers crossed!

Having the same problem! Super sluggish typing on Word. Haven't experience this in years. And I'm on a new MacBook Air with plenty of RAM. Makes no sense.

Change your MS AutoUpdate Channel from "Current Channel" to "Current Channel (Preview)" - as instructed below:

— From Microsoft Autoupdate, click on Advanced

— Change the Update Channel as instructed.

— This will allow AutoUpdate to install the MS Word 16.85.2 update, which fix the issue with excessive memory consumption.

As a workaround until a fix is found try the free, open-source app LibreOffice. It can open, edit and safe MS Office files as Office files or as its own format (which can later be saved as Office files).

I did download it and installed it and it does not work 16.86 was not successful

The same thing has started happening on mine! No solution yet. It's a time killer, and I have deadlines to meet. Yikes!

two days ago this was stared with me, I am not sure what's going on

Then you have installed a beta or unauthorized version on your system. And the fact that it doesn’t work should be a clue to you. Delete it and install the correct version which is 16.85.2

Yes, as of May 28, 2024, there is a 16.86. I'm currently using it. And it has the same lag issues that others are experiencing.

There is no 16.86

Yes there is. I'm currently using it. And it has the same lag issues that others are experiencing.

Me too, for the past few days. I've had to put a bunch of work on hold it is just so slow and inefficient. I have logged the issue on the Microsoft side and hear it may be a known issue they are working on.

Clearing out the normal.dotm is one suggestion I found on line - that would help temporarily. Also quitting or force quitting seems to help sometimes, but not really. Likewise a complete reboot. I've read a few posts suggesting removing any Word add ins, but I don't have any add ins.

I sure hope this gets resolved on one side or the other.

Word v16.85 may have some unmentioned dependencies or fixes based on running macOS Sonoma 14.5. I suggest Sonoma users update to that version, and try Word v16.85 again. I have no issues with this version of Word on the designated Sonoma release when accessing the document on my local drive. Accessing the Word document from external storage, another cloud service, or from a network server may not be as punctual as a local document.

As Word is not an Apple application, you should contact Microsoft, or participate in Microsoft Word for Mac community for additional Word-related advice.

You should not be running any anti-virus, so-called cleaning, or third-party "tuning" software for macOS. This can undermine the operating system and application performance. What I said earlier about potential document delays based on the document location.