Just updated to Tahoe 26.6.2 and now I cannot save new documents, do "save as" new documents or export pdfs. I get a big blank white screen and have to constantly force quit the app. Anyone have a fix? Thanks in advance.
MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
Because the same blank white window appears when using Save, Save As, or Export in both Office and Adobe, I would first determine whether the problem is specific to those applications or is affecting macOS more generally.
I would start by opening TextEdit, creating a small document, and choosing File > Save.
Save the test document to a local folder such as Documents. If TextEdit produces the same blank white window, that would suggest the problem is not limited to Office or Adobe.
If TextEdit saves normally, that would narrow the problem toward the affected applications or their interaction with macOS.
I would also test saving from Office and Adobe to a local folder rather than OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, a network drive, or another cloud location.
If saving locally works but saving to a cloud or network location does not, that would provide an important clue.
If the problem continues, the next step would be to test the Mac in Safe Mode.
On an Apple-silicon Mac, shut down the Mac, press and hold the power button until the startup options appear, select the startup disk, then hold Shift and choose Continue in Safe Mode.
Once in Safe Mode, repeat the Save test. Apple notes that Safe Mode can help determine whether software that loads during startup is contributing to a problem.
Apple: Start up your Mac in safe mode
If the problem still occurs, Disk Utility First Aid would be another reasonable step, particularly if there are other indications of storage or filesystem problems.
Apple: Repair a Mac storage device with Disk Utility
Before doing anything more invasive,
I would make sure important data is properly backed up.
For irreplaceable data, I recommend a 3-2-1 backup strategy: three copies of the data, using two different types of storage, with one copy kept off-site. Time Machine provides a useful Mac backup and recovery option, while a separate solution such as Carbon Copy Cloner can provide an additional layer of protection.
At this point, I would not reinstall Office or Adobe.
The TextEdit, local-folder, and Safe Mode tests should provide much more useful information about where the problem is occurring before making changes to the applications.
Because the same blank white window appears when using Save, Save As, or Export in both Office and Adobe, I would first determine whether the problem is specific to those applications or is affecting macOS more generally.
I would start by opening TextEdit, creating a small document, and choosing File > Save.
Save the test document to a local folder such as Documents. If TextEdit produces the same blank white window, that would suggest the problem is not limited to Office or Adobe.
If TextEdit saves normally, that would narrow the problem toward the affected applications or their interaction with macOS.
I would also test saving from Office and Adobe to a local folder rather than OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, a network drive, or another cloud location.
If saving locally works but saving to a cloud or network location does not, that would provide an important clue.
If the problem continues, the next step would be to test the Mac in Safe Mode.
On an Apple-silicon Mac, shut down the Mac, press and hold the power button until the startup options appear, select the startup disk, then hold Shift and choose Continue in Safe Mode.
Once in Safe Mode, repeat the Save test. Apple notes that Safe Mode can help determine whether software that loads during startup is contributing to a problem.
Apple: Start up your Mac in safe mode
If the problem still occurs, Disk Utility First Aid would be another reasonable step, particularly if there are other indications of storage or filesystem problems.
Apple: Repair a Mac storage device with Disk Utility
Before doing anything more invasive,
I would make sure important data is properly backed up.
For irreplaceable data, I recommend a 3-2-1 backup strategy: three copies of the data, using two different types of storage, with one copy kept off-site. Time Machine provides a useful Mac backup and recovery option, while a separate solution such as Carbon Copy Cloner can provide an additional layer of protection.
At this point, I would not reinstall Office or Adobe.
The TextEdit, local-folder, and Safe Mode tests should provide much more useful information about where the problem is occurring before making changes to the applications.
I'm on macOS 26.6.2 and the current version of MS365 (e.g., Word 16.112.2), and the Save As dialog is normal.
Have you rebooted your Mac? If not, that's the first step. If that does not help, then see if the problem is present when you boot in safe mode. That process performs some system cleanup and clears caches, and also disables 3rd party extensions that may cause problems.
Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support
If that does not correct the issue, test in a new user account. A newly-created user account will have all settings at default, and if the issue does not occur in that new account then it provides guidance on what may need to be changed to correct the issue.
Add a user or group on Mac - Apple Support
Once the testing is complete, the new account can easily be deleted.
Delete a user or group on Mac – Apple Support
TkStarr wrote:
I am updated on all my Office 365 apps. I'm working on a MacBook Air M2, 2022 with 8GB memory. I'm wondering if the low memory could be an issue?
8 GB memory is the minimum floor for using Tahoe, 16 GB would be much better, but it should still work with 8 GB.
How much FREE disk space do you have? This can be ascertained in Disk Utility, select View -- All Devices. Select your data drive, how much free space is there?
With inadequate free space, big apps like Adobe or Office might run out of paging space if low on disk space coupled with the very small amount of working memory on the computer. Your 8 GB will get filled up quickly and then the computer manages additional memory demand by paging to disk. But that requires adequate space on the disk.
You could also run Etrecheck (it is free and its report is anonymous, you can read through it to verify that) and post its report here. How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that might reveal if something has been installed that is interfering.
Based on what you have described, I would not assume that the 8 GB of memory is causing the problem.
The issue occurs in several unrelated applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TextEdit and Adobe, and you reproduced it in Safe Mode.
Those facts indicate that this is not simply an Office application problem, but they do not establish the exact cause.
Since you can still save a document by closing it and choosing “Save” when macOS asks, that is a reasonable temporary workaround.
I would also make sure your important documents are backed up before doing any further troubleshooting.
Using Time Machine Backup Utility you maybe able to Restore the Deleted Files
For future purposes
To truly protect your non replaceable Data
Have a 3-2-1 Rescue Plan in place and always current
3 Backups using 2 methods and 1 off site incase of natural disaster or un-natural disaster.
Each of the above should be done to a Dedicated Single Purposed External Drive
Below link is intended to augment what TM Backup does
Apple's guidance for Mac applications that become unresponsive includes restarting the Mac, installing available software updates and, when necessary, obtaining further support.
Apple Support: If an app on your Mac stops responding, quits unexpectedly, or won’t open
Because you have already tested Safe Mode and the problem continues, I think using the suggestion from our colleague @ steve626 visa vie “ Etrecheck “ application is a good idea
I would avoid reinstalling macOS, deleting system preferences, or making other advanced changes.
Apple provides additional information about macOS Recovery and reinstalling macOS, but those are more significant steps and do not appear necessary to attempt on your own at this point.
Apple Support: Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon
TkStarr wrote:
Thank you Steve626 and again thank you Owl-53. Your input and suggestions are very much appreciated! I'm definitely going to implement the 3-2-1 strategy on the family computers. I thought I was doing enough with iCloud, but now realize it's not enough. As to the Tahoe update/blank screen issue, it seems to be resolved. I booted in Safe Mode as you suggested, but still had the blank screen problem. However, when I rebooted again in normal mode and went to save a document, I actually saw the Sidebar on the left side! The right side was still blank so I swiped right for a bit and finally found the other end of the box. I then manually dragged that end back to the Sidebar until the interface looked normal again. I did this for Word, Excel and Adobe once each and it's been fine since then for those Apps as well as all the others. Not sure what happened in Safe Mode to help, but glad it did! Again, many thanks for all your assistance.😊
A Safe Boot followed a Normal Boot just does a number of undisclosed things that just puts thing right
Happy Computing 🦉-53
Thank you Owl-53 and neuroanatomist! I double checked and I am updated on all my Office 365 apps. I'm working on a MacBook Air M2, 2022 with 8GB memory. I'm wondering if the low memory could be an issue? I did follow your advice and start in Safe Mode and re-did the test, but the same thing happened. When I press "Save" for Text/Edit, Word, Excel or Powerpoint, the full white screen appears. I have to do a Force Quit every time. Below is an example of the screen:However, if I close out a new or modified Word/Excel/Text document by clicking the corner X, a window pops-up asking whether I wish to save my changes/new document before closing. So I can save that way, but I don't really want to rely on that. Also, depending how I open some apps (like Text-Edit) I'll get a mostly white screen too with just a line or two of writing. I made an appointment with the Genius Bar as it seems this is not a quick fix and my confidence in my deeper computer skills is not great. Thank you both again. Greatly Appreciated. I guess I should've stayed with OS Sequoia! 😊
Thank you Steve626 and again thank you Owl-53. Your input and suggestions are very much appreciated! I'm definitely going to implement the 3-2-1 strategy on the family computers. I thought I was doing enough with iCloud, but now realize it's not enough. As to the Tahoe update/blank screen issue, it seems to be resolved. I booted in Safe Mode as you suggested, but still had the blank screen problem. However, when I rebooted again in normal mode and went to save a document, I actually saw the Sidebar on the left side! The right side was still blank so I swiped right for a bit and finally found the other end of the box. I then manually dragged that end back to the Sidebar until the interface looked normal again. I did this for Word, Excel and Adobe once each and it's been fine since then for those Apps as well as all the others. Not sure what happened in Safe Mode to help, but glad it did! Again, many thanks for all your assistance.😊
After update to Tahoe 26.6.2 get big white screen when trying to save/export Office and Adobe
