Bug in Office 2021 fixed

Microsoft has resolved a bug that affected users of its Office 2021 suite on macOS. The issue began with the release of version 16.114 in mid-October, which introduced a banner urging users to switch to Microsoft 365, a subscription-based service.

Read-only mode caused problems

After the update, Office 2021 could only be used in read-only mode, preventing users from saving any changes to documents. This was problematic because users had purchased a perpetual license, meaning they were not required to subscribe to continue using the software.

Users had to revert to older versions

The only workaround for affected users was to revert to an earlier version of the software and block future updates. Microsoft clarified that this was not a deliberate policy change but an unintended bug that was later corrected.

New update restores functionality

Microsoft released version 16.114.3 on October 27, 2026, which fixed the issue. According to the update notes, the previous version accidentally disabled Office 2021 for existing users, and this update restored all features for those affected. A user named Robert confirmed via email that the update works well on his Mac, including the ability to save documents again.

Microsoft shifts to subscription models

Microsoft has been increasingly promoting its subscription-based Microsoft 365 service. It no longer officially supports Office 2021 as of October 13, 2026, though the apps will continue to function for now. However, this does not guarantee long-term support.

Future support uncertain

Office 2019, which stopped receiving support three years ago, was recently placed in read-only mode, suggesting a similar fate may await Office 2021. If Microsoft continues at the same pace, Office 2021 on Mac may be restricted to read-only mode by 2029. For now, Microsoft continues to sell perpetual licenses, and the 2024 edition is currently available for purchase.