How to solve MS AutoUpdate problem

The most common cause of repeated Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) errors on Mac is a broken or outdated AutoUpdate component. Installing the latest MAU version usually resolves these update failures.

Follow these steps on macOS:

1. Install the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate
   1. Download the latest MAU installer from this link: Download.
   2. Open the downloaded .pkg file.
   3. Run through the installer to update Microsoft AutoUpdate to the latest version.
   4. When the installation completes, open any Office app (for example, Excel) and from the menu bar choose Help > Check for Updates to run AutoUpdate again.
   If the Mac is managed by an organization and installing software is not allowed, contact the Helpdesk or IT administrator to perform this step.
2. If AutoUpdate still fails for specific old components
   • In Microsoft AutoUpdate, right‑click the icon next to any item that repeatedly fails and choose Show in Finder.
   • This opens the location of the stale or obsolete component. Delete that file or app bundle, then run AutoUpdate again so it stops trying to update components that are no longer in use.

These steps address both a broken MAU installation and errors caused by AutoUpdate trying to service outdated Office components.

References:

• Troubleshoot Microsoft AutoUpdate in Microsoft 365 and Office for Mac
• Microsoft AutoUpdate 3.9.0 for Office for Mac is broken
• AutoUpdater trying to update ancient office components, eg Silverlight (Office for Mac) - Microsoft Q&A
• Get rid of Microsoft Error reporting 2.2 on Mac - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft AutoUpdate for Office for Mac offers incorrect version updates

Hello, good day and thanks for your question. To add to the above, close any Microsoft 365 app/s that is currently open before running any update for it and this is to ensure that the process will not produce an error and it will be successful afterwards.

Thanks for solution.