Elderly MacBook running Big Sur (11.7.11) suddenly unable to use MS Word

Sue King 20 Reputation points
2026-08-07T11:52:55.81+00:00

My husband's elderly MacBook Pro cannot be updated beyond Big Sur (OS 11.7.11).

Suddenly, today, 7th August 2026, he finds he cannot use Word, having been using it normally yesterday.

I found this website https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/ask/ after googling the 0x0 error message I encountered at one point when trying to get to the bottom of the problem.

We have a subscription to MS Office 365.

So far today I do not seem to have a problem on my MacBook Air, which is nearly new and running a recent OS.

Before I embark on any complicated attempt to restore Word functionality to the older computer, can you tell me whether Microsoft have implemented changes that mean such an attempt is doomed to failure?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | MacOS
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Answer accepted by question author
DaveM121 931.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-07T12:28:12.2166667+00:00

If your version of MacOS is Big Sur, then the error you are seeing is caused by an update on the 13th of July, many people are seeing the exact same error, if you are unable to upgrade your MacOS to a newer compatible version (12 or higher), your Office apps will go into Read Only mode, on the link below the full details on that update are provided.

https://support.microsoft.com/office/update-microsoft-365-or-office-on-your-macos-or-ios-device-f418ae5d-bb5f-4078-b3d9-9340f5dd084e

You can then only use the free version of the Office apps in a web browser, however, the online version Office apps only contain a cut-down set of features that is available in the locally installed version of the Office apps, so that may or may not suit your needs.

Word:

https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/word

Excel:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/microsoft-365/excel

PowerPoint:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/microsoft-365/powerpoint

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  1. Sue King 20 Reputation points
    2026-08-07T11:56:55.5133333+00:00

    How in practice does one "use Microsoft 365 on the web"?

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-07T11:53:13.6566667+00:00

    Yes. On older Macs that cannot reach macOS 12 or later, attempts to restore full Word functionality are effectively doomed.

    Microsoft states that starting July 13, 2026, Office apps on unsupported older operating systems can enter reduced functionality mode: files can be opened and printed, but not edited, saved, or created. For macOS, the documented resolution is to update the OS first, then update Office.

    For the specific Unknown Error 0x0 / License Not Found issue on macOS, the documented fix requires:

    1. macOS 12 or higher
    2. Updating Office through Microsoft AutoUpdate or the App Store

    If the Mac cannot be updated to macOS 12, the supported options are:

    1. Use Microsoft 365 on the web
    2. Use Office on a different supported device
    3. Upgrade the device

    This also explains why the newer MacBook Air is still working while the Big Sur MacBook Pro is not.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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