When you install Microsoft 365 on a Mac, it should just work. But many users find Word, Excel, and PowerPoint crashing immediately at launch. The apps briefly open, then quit with a confusing dynamic linker error. Here's how to fix it.

The error in macOS crash reports looks like this:

Dyld Error Message:
Symbol not found: __ZN2cv8fastFreeEPv
Referenced from: <path to Office app>
Expected in: /System/Library/Frameworks/OpenCL.framework/Versions/A/OpenCL

This happens because of a mismatch between Microsoft's code and your Mac's system libraries. The missing symbol __ZN2cv8fastFreeEPv belongs to OpenCV, which Office needs. Microsoft 365 expects an older version of the OpenCL framework with this symbol, but newer macOS versions (especially Sonoma) removed it.

Nothing's wrong with your Mac. The software just needs an update to work with modern macOS. Here's how to fix it by removing the broken installation and getting the right version from Microsoft.

Step-by-Step Complete Fix

Follow these steps to clear the Dyld Error Message 1 and get Microsoft 365 working:

  1. Completely Uninstall Microsoft 365
    Don't just drag apps to the Trash. Use Microsoft's removal tool or these manual steps:
    • Close all Office apps
    • Open Finder, go to Applications, drag Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote to the Trash
    • Empty the Trash
    • In Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G, type ~/Library. Remove these folders if you find them:
      • ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word (also com.microsoft.Excel, com.microsoft.Powerpoint)
      • ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office
  2. Download the Latest Installer from Microsoft
    • Visit www.office.com and sign in
    • Find Install Office in your account portal and pick Install for Mac
    • Download a fresh copy. Don't use an old installer. The latest version fixes the OpenCL issue
  3. Install and Test
    • Run Microsoft_Office_Installer.pkg and follow the prompts
    • Open Word or Excel. They should work without the Dyld error

Software updates can break things unexpectedly. For businesses that depend on Office, these disruptions cost time and money.

This fixes the root cause. Microsoft has updated their installer packages to use the right libraries. If you tried other fixes like deleting files or using old installers, this fresh download will solve it.

Need hands-on help? Contact our team.

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