Microsoft Word Plug-in Not Appearing

acowling
Zotero word add-in isn't loading since Windows 11 Migration, there's no Windows 11 policies blocking add-ins, it's appearing in the list of add-ins, it's enabled but the toolbar isn't appearing in Word Ribbon. The following work has been done:

Full reinstall of the Zotero software
Reinstall of just the add-in
Manually copied the Zotero.dotm to the startup folder

Have following full Zotero page guidance on this issue to no avail.
  • adomasven
    If you have modified you or someone else modified Normal.dotm template on your machine, the Zotero tab may fail to appear. You can reset it to default settings by temporarily removing it from its default location.

    - Close Word.
    - Press Windows+R, paste %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Templates into the dialog and click OK. An Explorer window will appear.
    - Rename the Normal.dotm file to Normal.dotm.bak or temporarily move it somewhere else, like your desktop.
    - Restart Word and see if the Zotero tab appears.
  • acowling
    I have done as advised & renamed Normal.dotm.bak & relaunched Word, issue still happening.

    I also renamed the Zotero.dotm & reinstalled via Zotero itself but issue still there.
  • adomasven
    What version of Word are you running (In Word press File -> Account -> About Word)?
  • acowling
    Version 2509
  • acowling
    Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2509 Build 16.0.19231.20246) 32-bit
  • adomasven
    Does it show if you create a new Windows user account and test there?
  • acowling
    No - it doesn’t show at all. Tried with a completely new account. Also tried a historic version of zotero.
  • adomasven
    In a new user account does Zotero.dotm option show up under Word Add-ins? Is it checked, and if not does checking it help?
  • acowling
    Yes it did show up, it was checked, I unchecked it then rechecked and still not working.
  • adomasven
    Can you make a screen recording of you checking Zotero.dotm in Word add-ins and one that displays Zotero tab not appearing and post it here?
  • acowling
    This is on an organisational computer which blocks screen recording. The organisation's IT support have not been able to fix this issue either (despite working through all relevant advice on the website) and have contacted Zotero directly for additional input but haven't heard back.

    This is an issue that's seemed to emerge since the Windows 11 migration, including the presence of copilot. Is this a wider issue that you're aware of? It seems to be occurring with numerous users at my organisation.
  • adomasven
    Right. If this is an organizational machine, some institutional policies may be the cause of this. We don't have an exhaustive list of all policies that may make Zotero tab not appear in Word, but some information on that is available here:

    https://www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_plugin_troubleshooting#windows

    We don't provide Zotero support via email, it all happens here on our forum, which is why they didn't receive a response.
  • acowling
    As stated above, we have followed every step on the troubleshooting page with no change.

    Is there any thing else we can try. The only option at present is to change reference management software which would be disappointing as thus far I'd been very pleased with my Zotero experience.
  • adomasven
    edited December 11, 2025
    Yes, but as I stated above, we don't have a list of all policies that may cause this, as Microsoft provides a huge list of configuration options, so your IT will have to do manual troubleshooting. The issue is outside the scope of what we can help with, since this is a Word/Windows configuration problem, not a Zotero bug or issue. If they figure out a policy that causes this issue, do let us know, and we will add it to the troubleshooting page for future reference.
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