Word app for iPad won’t work since it 2.102.1 update on 10/16/25

Potential quick fix solutions found on Reddit:

By u/hkgmaths:

1. Restart iPhone
2. Setting -> General -> App -> Excel -> Reset Excel -> Enable all three options (Clear All Workbooks / Delete Sign-in Credentials / Reset Cloud Settings). However, OP did mention that issue may come back after awhile, and redo these steps can fix it again. I guess this is a very temporary hot fix. https://www.reddit.com/r/excel/comments/1o9pvno/excel_on_ios_and_ipad_os_freezes_and_completely

By u/david_horton1:

I shutdown, deleted the app then reloaded. It is now working. https://www.reddit.com/r/excel/comments/1o9pvno/comment/nk4eqv7

Links to the Reddit posts to give them credits. Hope this does not violates any policies here.

Hi @Ariane Haas,  

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.  

Thank you for reaching out and for providing such detailed information about the issue you're facing with the Word app on your iPad.

Based on what you've described, the behavior you're encountering appears to be related to the recent app update (version 2.102.1) from October 16th and is likely not an issue with your device or account.

While we wait for an official solution from Microsoft, the most effective action you can take is to report the problem directly to their developers. The more users who report an issue, the higher it gets on their priority list. Here’s how you can do it from another Office app (like Excel or PowerPoint):

• Open the app and tap on your profile picture/initials.
• Select "Help & Feedback".
• Look for an option like "Tell Us What Can Be Better" or "Send Feedback" and briefly describe the freezing/crashing issue with the Word app.

Please note that as a support moderator, I am unable to submit this report on your behalf. Microsoft's feedback system requires that reports come directly from the user's account to gather necessary diagnostic information. I hope you understand, as your report is vital for getting this resolved.

In the meantime, to help you continue your work, here is a temporary solution you can use with Word for the web: Access the full functionality of Word by logging into Office 365 through the Safari browser on your iPad. This is the most reliable workaround.

Note: We appreciate your understanding regarding the scope of support available through this forum. As moderators, our role is to provide general guidance and assist with common troubleshooting steps. While we do not have access to internal systems or administrative tools required to resolve account-specific or backend-related issues, we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out at any time. 

I look forward to hearing from you.