Why is My Microsoft Word Black on Mac? How to Fix

Launch Word on your Mac only to be greeted by a black screen. There are a few reasons Word could display as totally black and fail to load the interface.

The most common causes for Word showing black on Mac are either the default theme for your Mac is dark and the word is following the default theme or dark theme is enabled for the word. Changing the preference can resolve the black word on your Mac.

While disconcerting, a little targeted troubleshooting should get Word back up and running with full visuals on your Mac.

Common Causes of Word Black Screen on Mac

Here are some things that can lead to Word only showing a black window:

1. Dark Mode Settings

Your Mac is equipped with a feature called Dark Mode, which flips the traditional light interface to a darker one. Microsoft Word can follow your Mac’s system-wide settings, and if Dark Mode is enabled, it will switch to the dark interface as well. This is all about creating a consistent, eye-friendly experience across your apps.

2. App-Specific Dark Mode

While Microsoft Word typically adheres to your system settings, it does offer its own twist. It allows you to choose between “Light” and “Dark” modes independently. So, even if your Mac is in Dark Mode, Word can maintain its traditional appearance with a white background.

How to Fix Word Black Screen on Mac?

Method 1: Adapting to System Settings

If you prefer Word to match your Mac’s system-wide settings, simply enable or disable Dark Mode on your Mac. Word will follow suit, ensuring a consistent visual experience across all your applications.

To turn off Dark Mode in the Word canvas, you need to disable Dark Mode for Mac OS. For this, 

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > General > Appearance > Dark.

Step 2: Select “Light” under “Appearance”.

However, if you don’t want to change the dark theme on your Mac instead, only want to change the dark theme of the word, then try the 2md method below.

Method 2: Customizing Word’s Appearance

For those who like to dance to their own tune, Word provides options. You can switch between Light and Dark modes directly within the app. To do this,

Step 1: Click “Word” from the upper left corner and select “Preferences”.

Step 2: Click on”General”.

Step 3: And finally choose “Turn off Dark Mode” under the “Personalize” option.

Wrapping Up

“Why is my Microsoft Word black on my Mac?” is a question that has a straightforward answer – it’s all about adapting to your Mac’s system settings and Word’s preferences. You have the flexibility to choose your preferred look, and by upgrading your macOS, you can enjoy the most polished Dark Mode experience. If you have more questions about Microsoft Word on your Mac or need assistance with other tech mysteries, feel free to leave a comment. Thanks for reading, and may the document creation force be with you, whether in light or darkness!