Turn Off Dark Mode in Microsoft Word: Light Mode Guide

This guide shows you how to switch Microsoft Word from dark mode back to the classic light mode, which is easier on the eyes for many users and makes printed documents look closer to what you see on screen. You’ll find steps for both Windows and Mac, plus how to fix common issues where the page stays dark even after you change the theme.

What You’ll Need

• A computer with Microsoft Word installed (Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, or Word 2016)
• Your Word document open (optional, but helps you see changes immediately)
• About 2 minutes of time

Step-by-Step

On Windows

1. Open Microsoft Word on your PC.
2. Click the File tab in the top-left corner of the window.
3. In the left sidebar, click Options (it’s near the bottom). This opens the Word Options dialog box.
4. In the Word Options window, click General in the left menu.
5. Scroll down to the Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office section.
6. Look for the Office Theme dropdown menu. Click it and select White (or Colorful if you prefer the default look).
7. Click OK at the bottom right. Word will close and reopen briefly to apply the change.
8. If your document page itself is still dark (black background with white text), you need one more step. Go to the View tab on the ribbon.
9. Click the Switch Modes button (it looks like a half-moon or a sun/moon icon) in the left part of the ribbon. This toggles the page background between dark and light.

On Mac

1. Open Microsoft Word on your Mac.
2. Click Word in the menu bar at the top of your screen (next to the Apple logo).
3. Select Preferences from the dropdown menu.
4. In the Word Preferences window, click General (it’s under the Authoring and Proofing Tools section).
5. Find the Personalize section.
6. Click the Office Theme dropdown and choose Classic or Colorful (avoid selecting “Dark Gray” or “Black”).
7. Close the Preferences window. Word will update immediately.
8. If your document still shows a dark page, go to the View tab in the ribbon and click Switch Modes to turn off Dark Mode for the page.

Common Mistakes

• Only changing the Windows/Mac system theme: Changing your computer’s dark mode setting in Windows Settings or System Preferences does not automatically change Word’s theme. You must change the Office Theme inside Word itself.
• Forgetting the Switch Modes button: The Office Theme controls the window borders and ribbon, but the page itself (white or black) is controlled separately by the Switch Modes button on the View tab. Many people change the theme and still see a dark page, then think it didn’t work.
• Selecting “Deep Gray” or “Black” instead of “White”: These are still dark themes. Make sure you pick White or Colorful.
• Not restarting Word: On Windows, after changing the theme, Word may need to restart to apply the change fully. If you don’t see the change immediately, close and reopen Word.

Tips

• If you use dark mode on your computer at night but prefer light mode during the day, you can quickly toggle the page color using the Switch Modes button on the View tab without changing the whole theme.
• You can also set Word to match your Windows system theme. In the Office Theme dropdown, choose Use System Setting (Windows only). This way, Word automatically switches between light and dark when you change your system theme.
• For Mac users, if you want Word to follow your Mac’s appearance, select Use System Setting in the Office Theme dropdown as well.
• If you only want the ribbon to be dark but the page white (a common preference), set the Office Theme to Black and then use Switch Modes to make the page white.

Troubleshooting

Word is still dark after following the steps

• Check if you changed the right setting: Go back to File > Options > General and confirm the Office Theme is set to “White” or “Colorful.” Sometimes the dropdown resets to “Black” if you accidentally clicked it again.
• Check the Switch Modes button: On the View tab, if the Switch Modes button is highlighted (colored), click it to turn it off. This button toggles the page background. If it’s on, the page will be dark even with a light theme.
• Restart Word completely: Close all Word windows, then reopen. On Windows, you can also check the system tray to ensure Word isn’t still running in the background.
• Check your Windows/Mac system theme: If you have “Use System Setting” selected, and your system is in dark mode, Word will be dark. Either change your system theme to light, or change Word’s theme to “White” explicitly.
• Update Office: Older versions of Word may have different menu names. Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now (Windows) or Help > Check for Updates (Mac) to ensure you have the latest version.

The ribbon is light but the document page is still dark

• This is almost always the Switch Modes button. On the View tab, click Switch Modes once. The page background should change to white.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Word suddenly turn dark?

Word usually turns dark because of a Windows or Mac system setting change (like enabling dark mode in your operating system), or because you accidentally pressed the Switch Modes button. It can also happen after an Office update that resets your preferences.

What’s the difference between Office Theme and Dark Mode?

The Office Theme controls the overall look of the Word interface—the ribbon, menus, and window borders. Dark Mode (toggled by Switch Modes) specifically changes the document page background from white to black, which is helpful for editing at night but can be confusing when printing.

Will changing Word to light mode affect my other Office apps like Excel or PowerPoint?

Yes, the Office Theme is shared across all Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Changing it to White will make all those apps light. The Switch Modes button, however, is specific to Word and only affects the document page.

Can I have a dark ribbon but a white page?

Yes. Set the Office Theme to Black (or Dark Gray) and then click Switch Modes on the View tab to make the page white. This gives you a dark interface with a light document, which some users prefer for reducing eye strain.

Why is my printed document still showing a dark background?

If you print while Dark Mode is on, the printer may try to print the black background, which wastes ink and looks wrong. Always switch to light mode before printing. You can also check your printer settings for a “background graphics” option and disable it.

Does Word have a keyboard shortcut to switch modes?

There isn’t a default keyboard shortcut for Switch Modes. However, you can add it to the Quick Access Toolbar by right-clicking the Switch Modes button and selecting “Add to Quick Access Toolbar.” Then you can press Alt+1 (or the number it appears in) to toggle it.

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