7 Best Ways to Fix Microsoft PowerPoint Not Opening on Mac

Microsoft PowerPoint is a separate app for making presentations on Mac. You can download and install it whenever you need. Additionally, you can convert a PowerPoint presentation to a video for easy viewing anywhere. Many users rely on PowerPoint on Mac to create presentations and other materials.

However, if you can’t open the PowerPoint app on Mac, it becomes an obstacle in your workflow. This post will cover the best solutions to fix Microsoft PowerPoint not opening on Mac.

1. Force Quit and Relaunch PowerPoint

Whenever PowerPoint fails to open on your Mac, you can force quit and relaunch the app to check if it opens properly. Here’s how:

– Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner.

– Select Force Quit.

Step 3: Select Microsoft PowerPoint from the list. Click on Force Quit.

Step 4: Relaunch the PowerPoint app.

2. Update the PowerPoint App

If force quit and restart didn’t help, your second option is to check for an app update. This could be happening on your Mac because of a bug in the current version of the PowerPoint app. Follow these steps.

Step 1: Click on Launchpad. Alternatively, press Command+Space to launch Spotlight search bar, type in App Store, and press Return to open the Mac App Store directly.

Step 2: Open the App Store.

Step 3: Select the Updates option from the left menu.

Step 4: Press Command + R to refresh the page.

Update the PowerPoint app if an update is available. Then relaunch the PowerPoint app.

3. Boot Your Mac in Safe Mode

If the first two solutions didn’t work, it’s time to dig deeper. Boot your Mac in Safe Mode to close all third-party applications and only keep system apps running. Follow these steps:

For M1 Mac Users:

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left and select Shut Down.

2. Press and hold the Power Button until you see two options on the screen.

3. Select Macintosh HD, then hold the Shift key and select Continue in Safe Mode.

Step 4: Once your Mac boots in Safe Mode, open PowerPoint to check if it works in Safe Mode.

For Intel Mac users

Step 1: Click the Apple logo and select Restart.

Step 2: After your Mac restarts, press and hold the Shift key.

Step 3: Release the Shift key when you see the login window.

Once your Intel Mac boots in Safe Mode, launch the PowerPoint app to check if it works. If it functions properly, the issue must be in regular mode. Proceed to the next solution to fix it.

4. Remove Powerpoint Preference Files

A Preference File of Microsoft PowerPoint is created to save app preferences. You can temporarily relocate the preference file to fix the problem. Follow these steps.

Step 1: Launch Finder.

Step 2: Select the Go option from the top Menu bar.

Step 3: Click ‘Go to Folder’.

Step 4: In the search box, type ~/Library and press Return.

Click the first result of Step 5.

Step 6: Select the Containers folder.

Step 7: Open the folder and type “com.microsoft.PowerPoint.plist” in the search box. Press Return.

Step 8: Select the file and drag it to the Recycle Bin.

Step 9: Relaunch Microsoft PowerPoint.

5. Run First Aid in Disk Utility

If your Mac is experiencing storage errors after you’ve uninstalled many apps, you can use Disk Utility to fix them. These errors may be affecting the PowerPoint app and compromising your Mac’s performance. Follow these steps:

– Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight Search, then type “Disk Utility” and press Return.

To review and improve:

Step 2: Click on the First Aid option in Disk Utility.

Step 3: Click Run to launch First Aid.

Step 4: Click Continue to confirm your action.

After Disk Utility finishes running First Aid, relaunch PowerPoint.

6. Create and Switch to a New User Account

If none of the options work on your Mac, you can try creating a new user account temporarily. This can help fix PowerPoint not opening on your Mac. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Click the Apple logo on the top-left and select System Preferences.

Step 2: Select Users & Groups.

Step 3: In the Users & Groups tab, click the Lock icon at the bottom-left.

Step 4: Enter your Mac password and click Unlock.

Step 5: Click the Plus sign to add a new user.

Step 6: Add the info and click Create User.

The new user profile will appear on the left menu.

Step 7: Select the new user profile and allow them to administer the computer.

Step 8: Close the tab and click the Apple logo again.

Step 9: Log out of the current user account and sign in with the newly created account.

Once signed in, relaunch the PowerPoint app.

7. Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Powerpoint

The last option is to uninstall and reinstall the PowerPoint app. A fresh start might fix this issue. Here’s how:

Step 1: Click Launchpad.

Step 2: Find the PowerPoint icon and long-press it until all apps start jiggling.

Step 3: Click the cross icon on the top of the PowerPoint app.

Step 4: Click Delete to confirm.

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Step 4: Click Delete to confirm.

Step 5: After deleting the app, reinstall Microsoft PowerPoint from the App Store.

Present Your Points With Power

These solutions will help you eliminate situations when PowerPoint fails to open on your Mac. While the mentioned solutions should help most of the time, keeping the app updated ensures a consistent experience.