Microsoft AutoUpdate "An update is already in progress" error in macOS

Microsoft AutoUpdate "An update is already in progress" error in macOS

Problem

Sometimes, you get the following error message when you try to use the AutoUpdate tool to check for Microsoft Office updates.

Solution

1. Open Activity Monitor from a Finder window in Applications/Utilities or use the Spotlight search at the top right of your screen.
2. Stop the "Microsoft Update Assistant" process by clicking on it in the list to highlight and then clicking the Stop button on the top bar of the Activity Monitor window.

You should now be able to update the AutoUpdate program if necessary and any other applications that have updates waiting in the list.