Dark mode is the trendy aspect supported by most apps and software, including Word Online. It will assist in easing the strain on the eyes, particularly in dim conditions. Nevertheless, other users might not read text comfortably, or they might be more accustomed to the classic white background. If you’re using Word Online and wondering how to turn off dark mode Word Online, this blog post is your complete guide.
Don’t worry, in this blog, we will guide you through easy steps to revert to light mode. This guide will give you all the aspects you need, whether you are using a browser on your PC, laptop, or tablet. Whether it is modifying your Word preferences or system preferences, you will get a variety of solutions here.
The following are some of the rapid reasons why you would wish to turn off dark mode:
- It may render some fonts and colors difficult to read.
- The light mode is more suitable when reading long documents.
- It is possible that you just like the vintage look.
And now, let us discuss how you can disable this feature in Word online in detail.
Why does Word Online Turn to Dark Mode automatically?
Word Online has a tendency to enable dark mode according to your system or browser settings. So, Word Online and many websites and apps will be in dark mode automatically, in case your computer or browser is set to dark mode. This is integrated to achieve uniformity and user comfort.
Suppose a real-life situation. Suppose you are in Google Chrome and have a dark mode browser. When you open Word online, it recognizes your settings and also turns on dark mode. This is referred to as theme synchronization.
Also, Word Online can keep in mind your last session preferences. It will also keep in mind the mode that you were using last time, and as such, it might be on the same mode the next time you use it unless you switch it manually.
But this automation is irritating when you are not used to working with a dark layout. It can conceal formatting information or impact on your viewing. Luckily, this can be controlled.
| Reason for Dark Mode Activation | How It Affects Word Online |
|---|---|
| System-wide dark theme | Word Online matches it |
| Browser dark theme | Automatically applies dark mode |
| Previous user settings | Remembers dark mode as default |
NB: It is always possible to manually override display settings in Word Online, no matter what system settings are.
How do you switch themes in Word Online?
To learn how to turn off dark mode Word Online, the most straightforward way is through the settings inside Word Online itself. You can easily change the way you look in Microsoft.
To change the theme, follow the following steps:
- Open Word Online using your browser.
- Sign in using your Microsoft account.
- Click on the Settings icon (it is usually located in the upper-right corner, and it looks like a gear).
- In the dropdown, choose the option of Dark Mode or Appearance settings.
- Depending on the version you have, either click on Light Mode or Turn off Dark Mode.
- Your document will automatically go to a white background.
We will illustrate this with an example. Let us say that you are editing a resume. The dark background can also cause difficulty in case the font color is overwhelmed. You may verify that the formatting is clearer by enabling light mode.
And, in case you are wondering, this setting typically remains until you change it once more. That way, after you disable the dark mode, Word Online will stay in the light mode in subsequent sessions.
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Word Online | Access your document |
| 2 | Click Settings | Open appearance options |
| 3 | Choose Light Mode | Background turns white |
Hint: Appearance changes simply override your perception; others might continue to appear in their favorite mode.
Will changing the system theme affect Word online?
Yup, your system theme will influence Word Online, particularly in case you utilize a contemporary browser, such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. These browsers enable the sites to identify your preferred color scheme.
The process is like this:
In case your operating system (Windows, macOS) is set to dark mode, browsers such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome signal that to the websites. This signal is received by Word Online and the dark mode is turned on automatically.
e.g., on Windows 11, visit:
Settings → Personalization → Colors → Your mode → Light.
On Mac OS, go to:
Settings → Appearance → Pick Light.
Once you switch your system to the light mode, restart your browser and look at Word Online. It tends to automatically update the theme.
This approach, however, will only succeed if Word Online has been manually switched to dark mode in the past. In that case, you still will have to use the previous procedure to turn off the dark mode directly in Word settings.
The best thing is to combine both options consistently- change the system theme as well as the Word Online settings.
Do Browser Extensions Have the Ability to Compel Dark Mode in Word Online?
Yup, browser extensions can override Word Online’s light setting and apply the dark mode. To make all sites darker, many users install a plugin such as Dark Reader or Night Eye. These add-ins take precedence over site preferences, such as Word Online.
In case you have disabled the dark mode in Word, but the dark interface is still visible, look at your browser extensions.
You can do the following:
- Using your browser, visit the Extensions page.
- Locate any extension related to dark mode.
- Turn it off or change its options on a site-by-site basis.
Let us take the example of Dark Reader, where you can turn it off in Word Online by clicking on the extension icon and switching it to OFF.
This is particularly a necessary step since external tools usually take precedence over the internal settings of a site.
Be aware of custom themes installed through developer tools or some antivirus software, as well, since they can produce the same effect.
To disable the extension only in Word Online, but keep it on other sites, use site-specific settings in the plugin. In such a manner, your dark mode will be turned on everywhere except in Word.
What If Word Online remains Dark After all the settings?
In some cases, Word Online can remain in dark mode even after changing all the settings. It may occur because of the browser cache or session data failure to update.
You can do the following steps:
- Clear browser cache: Go to your browser settings and clear cached images and site data.
- Open an Incognito Mode: Word Online in a secret window.
- Use an Alternate Browser: In case you were using Chrome, launch Firefox or Edge and identify whether the issue lies in the browser.
- Log out, and back in: A fresh session could do the trick in updating your theme settings.
The second problem may be that the document itself is applying dark-colored themes. To correct that:
- On the Word Online, go to Design.
- Select a template that has a white background.
- Save and reload your document.
It is also possible to copy the content to a new document and apply a new layout. This removes any background styles that can leave dark elements behind.
The most important thing is to have consistency among the platforms. Check that you have changed the settings in both the desktop and online versions of Word.
Conclusion
Reading and editing in Word Online can be significantly better when you switch off the dark mode. Although dark mode is helpful in dim situations, it is not always the best mode to work with. You can also determine the way your document will look easily by being aware of the system, browser, and Word Online settings.
We’ve answered multiple questions in this post to guide you on how to turn off dark mode Word Online. Also, don’t forget to examine both browser plugins and document templates in case the problem exists. Be it to feel comfortable or see things clearly, it is good to know how to customize the visual settings to have it all under control.
Important: In case Word Online is constantly turning back to dark mode without your permission, be sure to inspect the settings of your Microsoft account.
FAQ’s
1. What is the direct way to disable dark mode in Word Online?
In Word Online, click on the settings icon and select the option of Appearance, and then Light Mode.
2. Will switching my system to light mode interfere with Word Online?
Yes, Word Online can inherit your system theme, particularly in contemporary browsers.
3. Why does Word Online toggle back to dark mode?
It can be synchronized with the browser or system preferences, or dark mode is set to the default.
4. Do extensions such as Dark Reader have any influence on the appearance of Word Online?
Yes, such extensions can overrule settings on a website. Turn them off in Word online.
5. What do I do when Word Online remains dark even after settings?
Fixing It: empty your browser cache, enable incognito or another browser.
