Unable to Install Microsoft Office on Mac, Fix It

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Microsoft Office is an essential suite of productivity tools, used by students, professionals, and businesses worldwide. Mac users rely on Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook just as much as Windows users do. However, sometimes the installation process doesn't go smoothly on macOS. Whether you're installing Office 365 or a standalone version like Office 2019 or Office 2021, errors can prevent successful installation.

In this guide, we'll walk you through a comprehensive set of solutions to help fix the "Unable to install Microsoft Office on Mac" issue. Whether you're encountering strange error messages, blocked installations, or compatibility problems, this article will help you troubleshoot step-by-step.

Check System Requirements for Microsoft Office First

Before diving into advanced fixes, ensure your Mac meets the minimum requirements for the version of Office you're installing. If your macOS or hardware doesn't meet Microsoft's criteria, the installation will fail.

For Microsoft 365 and Office 2021:

• macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later
• At least 4 GB RAM
• 10 GB available disk space
• Intel or Apple Silicon processor

To check your macOS version:

• Click the Apple Menu > About This Mac > Look under "macOS"

If your macOS is older than Catalina, consider upgrading before installing Office.

Understand Common Errors to Install Microsoft Office on Mac

Here are some of the most frequently encountered error messages during installation, along with their meanings:

• "Installation failed": Could be due to corrupted installer files or macOS permission issues.
• "This package is incompatible with this version of macOS": You're likely using an older macOS.
• "Microsoft Office can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software": A Gatekeeper security block.
• "The installer encountered an error that caused the installation to fail": Could be from disk permission issues or previous Office files.

Understanding the root of the problem helps you apply the right solution.

How to Fix 'Unable to Install Microsoft Office on Mac' Issue?

Fix 1 – Restart Your Mac and Retry Installation

A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches in macOS that interfere with installations. Here are the steps:

1. Close all applications, especially anything Microsoft-related.
2. Restart your Mac.
3. Re-run the Office installer.

It sounds simple, but many users have successfully completed installations after just a reboot.

Fix 2 – Update macOS to the Latest Version

Running an outdated macOS often leads to compatibility issues. You can check and update the system first if new version is available. Here is how to check and update macOS:

• Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
• Download and install available updates.
• Try to install the Microsoft Office again.

Fix 3 – Uninstall Old or Corrupted Office Installations

One of the most common reasons Microsoft Office won't install on a Mac is the presence of an older, corrupted, or incomplete Office installation. These leftover files can interfere with the new setup, causing the installer to fail silently or throw confusing error messages.

Even if you previously deleted the Office apps from the Applications folder, residual files often remain in hidden system folders. Here's how to perform a complete, clean uninstall.

Step 1: Remove Office Applications

Start by deleting the main Office apps from your Applications folder. Open Finder. Go to Applications. Drag the following apps to the Trash (if present):

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft OneNote
• Microsoft Teams
• OneDrive

At last, you can empty the Trash to remove them completely from your Mac.

Step 2: Delete Associated Files and Preferences

To fully wipe out Office data, remove supporting files stored in various Library directories. These files store preferences, licensing info, and cache data.

In Finder, press Command + Shift + G to open Go to Folder, then enter and delete files in the following paths:

~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.*
~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft
~/Library/Preferences/com.microsoft.*
~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.office
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.office.*

Be cautious while deleting files. Only remove folders associated with Microsoft.

Step 3: Use Microsoft's Official License Removal Tool (Optional)

Microsoft provides a one-click tool that fully removes all Office license components with less risk of missing critical folders.

To use it:

1. Visit Microsoft's Office Support Page.
2. Download the License Removal Tool.
3. Open the .pkg file and run the uninstaller.
4. Reboot your Mac after removal completes.

This tool is ideal for users uncomfortable deleting system files manually.

Step 4: Reboot Your Mac

Once you've removed all traces of Microsoft Office, restart your Mac. This clears temporary system caches and helps macOS recognize that the Office suite has been completely uninstalled.

Step 5: Reinstall Office Cleanly

Now go to https://account.microsoft.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and download the latest version of Office. Make sure to install from this official source to avoid corrupted or incompatible installers.

Why This Matters: Partial or corrupted Office files are a leading cause of installation failure on macOS. A clean uninstall ensures that no legacy files or misconfigured settings interfere with your fresh Office setup.

Fix 4 – Use the Correct Installer Method

Using the wrong installation source or package type can create issues. It's necessary to check and get the installation setup file from the official source. There are two secure ways suggested to install Office on Mac:

From the Microsoft Account Portal:

1. Go to https://account.microsoft.com
2. Sign in and download Office from your subscription

From the Mac App Store (for Microsoft 365 mobile apps)

Avoid third-party sources or pirated installers. They often lead to corrupted installations and malware risk.

Fix 5 – Bypass Gatekeeper Block for Unverified Developer

If you receive the message about Apple being unable to verify the app, macOS's Gatekeeper security feature is blocking the installation.

Steps to allow the installer:

1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
2. Scroll to Security section.
3. Click Allow Anyway next to the blocked installer.
4. Re-run the installer.

Alternatively, disable it via command in Terminal for advanced users:

sudo spctl --master-disable

Use this command only temporarily and with caution. Re-enable Gatekeeper after installation.

Fix 6 – Check Disk Space and Permissions

Lack of available space or disk permission issues can halt installations.

Check available storage:

• Apple Menu > system Settings > General > Storage

Free up at least 10 GB for smooth installation.

Fix permissions:

1. Open Disk Utility
2. Select your main disk
3. Click First Aid > Run

Also, run these commands in Terminal to reset Home folder permissions:

diskutil resetUserPermissions / `id -u`

Fix 7 – Install Microsoft Office in Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables third-party software that might interfere with the installation. You can do as follows to boot into Safe Mode and install Microsoft Office:

• Shut down Mac. Turn it on and immediately hold the Power button.
• Release button when the message "Loading startup options" appears
• Select a startup disk, press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode.

For Intel Macs, just hold Shift key while start your Mac up to enter the safe mode.

Safe Mode is especially helpful if third-party antivirus or tools are interfering.

Fix 8 – Use Console to Troubleshoot Logs

If you're tech-savvy, reviewing log files can pinpoint installation issues.

1. Open Console.app (search with Spotlight)
2. Filter by install.log or Microsoft
3. Look for lines with "error" or "fail" messages

Common log clues:

• Disk permission errors
• Corrupted .pkg file
• Missing dependencies

This approach helps you isolate advanced installation problems.

Fix 9 – Re-download Installer or Use Alternate Internet Connection

A corrupted or incomplete installer download is a common but overlooked cause. You can try to fix it by the following steps:

• Deleting the old installer .pkg or .dmg file
• Downloading again from Microsoft's portal
• Switching to a different Wi-Fi or using a mobile hotspot

Some network setups (especially corporate or public Wi-Fi) may block connections to Microsoft servers.

Contact Microsoft Support as a Last Resort

If none of the above methods work, you should contact Microsoft's technical support.

You can:

• Use the Support chat on support.microsoft.com
• Call their Mac product support line (depending on your region)
• Visit the Microsoft Office Community Forums

Be ready to share:

• Your macOS version
• Which Office version you're installing
• Exact error messages or screenshots

Bonus Tips

• Always back up your Mac using Time Machine before making major system changes.
• Avoid pirated Office versions – they often cause installation errors and security issues.
• If you're using M-chip Mac, ensure you're downloading the Apple Silicon-compatible version of Office.
• Enable automatic Office updates post-installation via Microsoft AutoUpdate for Mac.

Conclusion

Installing Microsoft Office on a Mac should be a simple task, but various factors — from system compatibility to corrupted installers and Gatekeeper restrictions — can complicate things. Thankfully, most issues are fixable with careful troubleshooting.

To summarize:

• Always check your system compatibility first
• Update your macOS
• Clean up any previous Office installations
• Download Office only from official sources
• Adjust security settings when necessary
• Use Safe Mode or Terminal for advanced troubleshooting
• Contact Microsoft support if all else fails

With this detailed guide, you should be well-equipped to fix any issues preventing Microsoft Office from installing on your Mac.