Warning This step will remove custom preferences, such as keyboard shortcuts, or changes to the toolbars or dictionaries.Ĭorrupt Word preferences may cause this error. Method 1 - Reset Word for Mac preferences If the version number is 14.2.0 or above, you have Service Pack 2 and you should follow the Service Pack 2 steps when provided in this article. To check if it is installed, open Word, and then click About Word from the Word menu. IMPORTANT: The location of certain files are different if you have Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed. Programs running in the background are interfering with Word for Mac. Microsoft Word has encountered a problem and needs to close.