How do I fix "The save failed due to out of memory or disk space" error on word? Macbook

Quit Word and clear its AutoRecovery and temporary work files, because this Mac-specific reset resolved the same save error when restarting, updating, and creating another document did not.^1^

Clear Word’s temporary files

1. If a document contains unsaved work, copy its text somewhere outside Word first, such as TextEdit.
2. Quit Word completely using Word → Quit Word.
3. Open Finder.
4. Press Command + Shift + G.
5. Enter this path and press Return:

      ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences
   

6. Locate items named:
   • AutoRecovery
   • ~Word Work File
7. Move them to a temporary folder on your Desktop rather than immediately emptying the Bin. This preserves a recovery option.
8. Restart the Mac, open Word, create a blank document, and save it to the Desktop.

Word creates a temporary file during saving and then replaces the existing document with the saved version. A failure in that temporary-file process can produce misleading disk-full or write-protected errors even when storage is available.^2^

If Word now saves normally, keep the Desktop backup briefly, then delete it. If a needed recovery file was removed, Word’s AutoRecovery files are normally stored inside its hidden Library container.^3^

If the error returns: reset the template and save preferences

A normal reinstall may leave Word’s per-user Library data intact. Reset these items next:

1. Quit Word.
2. In Finder, press Command + Shift + G and open:

      ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates
   

3. Move Normal.dotm to the Desktop.
4. Press Command + Shift + G again and open:

      ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences
   

5. If present, move com.microsoft.Word.securebookmarks.plist to the Desktop.
6. Reopen Word and test a new blank document.

Word will create a fresh default template when Normal.dotm is unavailable. Moving it rather than deleting it preserves any macros, styles, or customizations it contains.^4^

If neither reset works

Run Disk Utility → select the internal startup disk → First Aid → Run, then test Word again. This checks for file-system problems affecting temporary-file creation.^5^

If the problem persists, perform a complete Office removal, not another app-only uninstall. Microsoft’s Mac procedure removes both the applications and their remaining Containers and Group Containers, then requires a restart.^6^

Warning: That cleanup can remove Office settings and local Outlook data. Back up Outlook data and any custom Word templates first. Afterward, restart the Mac, reinstall Microsoft 365, and test saving before restoring any old preference or template files.

References

1. Cannot save file due to 'The save failed due to lack of memory or disk space.' - Microsoft Q&A
2. There is a serious disk error on when attempting to save, copy and paste or create auto recovery files in Office for Mac
3. [macOS](https://support.microsoft.com/word/recover-your-word-files-and-documents)
4. "File Permission Error" on my Word document due to file name - Microsoft Q&A
5. Word and Excel will not save - Microsoft Q&A
6. Uninstall Office for Mac | Microsoft Support