“Microsoft Word experienced an error trying to open the file” is a pesky error message that occurs for several reasons and hinders your ability to access and work on your document. So, if you are stuck with this dreaded Microsoft Word error message, it can be a roadblock to your productivity.
To combat the issue, first, you must tackle the potential culprits behind this error message and then go ahead with the troubleshooting steps on your Windows PC.
So, follow the troubleshooting steps, which range from basic to advanced, and you will be well-equipped to resolve the error and access your document seamlessly. Now, read through the post, learn how to open your Word files, and overcome this error like a pro.
What Hinders Word From Opening Your File?
Word experienced an error when opening your file, which can occur for various reasons. A few of those are cited below:
File Issues:
- A corrupt DOC or DOCX file is being loaded
- No permission to open the document file
Hardware Issues:
- Low or insufficient disk space
- Insufficient memory
Software Issues:
- Outdated Word version
- Software conflicts
- Corrupted Word installation
Other Causes:
- Downloaded files are incomplete or damaged
- Unexpected virus attack
- Wrong configuration issue
But before going ahead with the troubleshooting steps check out this complete guide that deals with the Microsoft Word Compatibility Mode Not Responding issue.
Troubleshooting Word Experienced An Error Trying To Open File Issue
Here are some of the effective fixes that you can take to address the issue. These will help you fix the error message and help you get back to editing your Word documents in no time.
So, let’s get started!
1. Restart MS Word
If your Word encounters an error, a simple restart of your computer and Microsoft Word can help resolve minor temporary glitches. All you need to do is close Microsoft Word entirely, reopen Word, and try to open that file again.
Doing this will help clear the temporary glitches or conflicts that are affecting Microsoft Word’s normal functioning and will help you deal with the MS Word issue.
Remember this isn’t a troubleshooting step but a workaround.
2. Update MS Word
Updating MS Word to the latest version can help fix the error issues experienced by Word. If you encounter any error while trying to open a file, then updating Word is one of the essential troubleshooting steps. Since the software updates include bug fixes, improvements, and compatibility issues, they can quickly address various issues that users may encounter.
After updating Word, restart the application, try to open the problematic files, and check whether updating resolved the issue.
3. Unblock Your Word File
If your file is blocked due to any security settings on your computer, it is highly likely that Word is preventing it from opening. Unblocking will remove the restriction and allow you to open the file. It will also bypass the security measures put in place to protect the system from potentially harmful files.
This is how you can unblock the Word file:
- Right-click on the Word file that you are having trouble with and then select “Properties”.
- On the “Properties” Window, click on the “Unblock” button if it is displayed.
- Note that a properly working Word file won’t have an “Unblock” button.
4. Disable Protected View Settings
Turning off the Protected view in Word can be an essential troubleshooting step in case of this particular error. Protected View is a security feature that opens documents in read-only mode to prevent potential security risks. Therefore, disabling it will expose your system to possible dangers, so ensure you have re-enabled “Protected View” after resolving the issue.
This mode is enabled for documents downloaded from the internet or other potentially unsafe sources. While it reduces risks, it can also disable macros and other useful content. But when Word has experienced an error trying to open the file then you can disable the feature and see if this can fix the issue.
Here is how you can disable Protected View:
- Open Microsoft Word and go to the “File” tab.
- Click on “Options,” and in the dialog box, select the “Trust Centre” from the left.
- In the Trust Centre dialog box, click on “Trust Centre Settings”.
- Navigate to “Protected View” and uncheck all three options listed to disable “Protected View”.
- Finally, click “OK” to apply the changes.
- After you have disabled Protected View, close and restart Microsoft Word, and try re-open the file.
5. Disable Firewall or Antivirus
Firewall or your antivirus program can also interfere with Word and create problems. So, temporarily disabling Firewall and antivirus is highly recommended in this case but understand that doing this will make your system vulnerable to threats or malicious attacks. So, enable them soon after and here is how to disable Windows Defender Firewall:
- Type “Windows Defender Firewall” in the Windows search box and then select the top option.
- Click on “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off”.
- Ensure you click on Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) option for Private and Public network settings.
- Save the changes by clicking on OK.
6. Access File In Word’s Office Safe Mode
If MS Word is experiencing any issues preventing you from viewing your documents, then you can run Word in Office Safe Mode. Safe Mode will create a simplified environment and help you diagnose or identify problematic add-ins.
Here are the steps to run Word in Safe Mode:
- Open the Run dialog box and type ” winword /safe.”
- Soon, Word will open in Office Safe mode.
- To exit Safe Mode, close the window and then restart the MS Office application again.
- Doing this will start Office in normal mode.
7. Run MS Office Troubleshooter
Running the MS Office Troubleshooter acts as a diagnostic tool that scans the MS Office installation and configuration for problems that might prevent Word from opening files correctly. This is a user-friendly and efficient way of diagnosing and fixing common Word issues.
This will eliminate the need for manual troubleshooting steps, thereby making it accessible to users of all levels.
Follow the steps below to run the MS Office Troubleshooter:
- Go to the “Control Panel” and click on “Programs and Features” option.
- Select MS Office from the list of installed applications and right- click on it and choose the “Change” button.
- Doing this will open a dedicated wizard, from which you will have to choose to repair the installed MS Office Suite.
- Now, choose to perform a “Quick Repair” to fix the minor issues with MS Office and then perform the online repair if required.
- After successfully repairing the MS Office Suite, relaunch the MS Word application and overcome the issue.
8. Add A New Trusted Location
If the designated location for the default template is corrupted or not trustworthy by Word, then you can encounter this issue. In this scenario, adding it as a trusted location will help to bypass the security checks and allow Word to open the file.
This is how you can add a trusted location:
- Open Word and click on “File” > “Options”.
- Navigate to the “Trust Centre” from the side and open its Trust Centre Settings.
- When the Trust Centre Settings Window is launched, go to the “Trusted Locations” and choose “Add a new location.”
- Select the folder where your file is saved and check “Subfolders of this location are also trusted” if required.
- Finally, click on “OK” to save changes.
9. Repair The Word Document
If your Word file is infected with a virus, it will likely not open, and you will need to repair it. You can repair Word files using the built-in repair feature or a third-party tool.
Follow the steps to use the built-in repair feature in Word:
- Launch MS Word and click on the “File” from the ribbon menu.
- Now, choose “Open” from the left pane and “Browse” to the location of the targeted file.
- Expand the “Open button” drop-down and choose “Open and Repair”.
- Doing this will repair the Word file and launch it, but if you are still unable to view the “Open and Repair” option, you can use a third-party tool to fix problems with the affected Word document.
10. Repair Microsoft Office
Repairing MS Office will address the various internal issues due to software conflicts or unexpected shutdowns.
You can, therefore, resolve the repair issues with Word by using the repair feature that is offered by Microsoft Office 365. By taking the help of this tool, you will be able to scan all the Office applications for issues and can, in turn, fix the problems that may arise.
Here is how you can proceed with the repair option:
- Open the “Run” dialogue box and, type “appwiz.cpl,” and click “Enter.”
- Now, locate 365 from the list of options available and right-click on it.
- Choose “Change” from the context menu, and in the following dialogue box.
- Then, choose “Quick Repair” and hit the “Repair” button.
- Now, wait for the process to complete and check whether the issue is resolved.
11. Update Office And Windows
You will encounter a settings in Windows that are known to downloads updates automatically for the other installed Microsoft products on your PC alongside the Windows update. In case of any issue with a particular Word file it’s best to update Office along with Windows update for resolving the issue.
Here are the steps to do so:
- Open Windows Settings and select “Windows Update” from the left panel.
- Next, select the “Advanced Options”.
- Turn on the toggle for “Receive updates for other Microsoft products” option.
- Install the available updates if any.
- Once done, restart your PC and re-launch Word.
12. Close Unnecessary Running Programs
Closing unnecessary running programs in the background will also help you to deal with the MS Word issue. The programs running in the background can also conflict with the Word and cause botherations so closing those is indeed a good idea.
Follow the steps to close the unnecessary apps:
- Right-click on Windows Start button and select “Task Manager”.
- Go to the “Processes” tab and right-click on the particular program that you want to close.
- Select the “End Task” option and repeat it for each task that you would like to kill.
- Then, exit the Window and try to open Word.
13. Reinstall Office
If you’re still having the same issue with MS Office then go for a fresh installation.
So, to reinstall office you need to perform a few simple methods and those are:
- Press Windows + R to open Run utility.
- Enter “appwiz.cpl” in the Run dialog box and press “Enter” to run the command.
- Find MS Office from the list of installed apps and right-click on it and select the “Uninstall” option.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to finish the entire process.
14. Seek Help From Microsoft Support
Now that you have tried various troubleshooting steps to fix the “Word Experienced An Error While Trying To Open File” issue, seeking help from Microsoft Support will be your last resort.
They will provide official support, ensuring reliable and accurate information and recommendations.
Overall, seeking their help will provide expert guidance and effective resolution for this particular error.
Best Practices To Avoid MS Word Facing Errors While Opening Your File
Below are some of the proactive steps that you can take to minimize the chance of encountering errors while opening your files in Word:
- Prevent file corruption by frequently saving your work, closing it, and then exiting Word before turning off your computer.
- Avoid unexpected shutdowns while working on your document, so using a UPS will provide temporary power during outages.
- Regularly updating Windows and Office will help fix bugs and address potential issues related to file opening.
- Downloading files from reliable sources minimizes the risk of encountering corrupted or malicious files.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What Should I Do If I Encounter An Error Opening A Word File?
If you encounter an error opening a Word file, check the file format, repair the file, or ensure that the file is not blocked due to any security settings.
- How Do I Unblock A Word File That Is Giving An Error Upon Opening?
To unblock a Word file that gives an error upon opening, you should try moving the file to a trusted location in Word or adjusting the security settings on your computer.
- Why Is My File Saying Error?
File System Errors are essentially disk-related errors that may occur due to corrupt files, bad sectors, disk integrity corruption, file execution policies, and many other causes.
Final Words
With a systematic approach and a combination of the above-mentioned steps, users can increase the likelihood of resolving the MS Word issue and regain seamless access to their documents. However, users are encouraged to exercise caution when creating backups of important files and seek assistance from Microsoft support or IT professionals if required.
So, follow the troubleshooting steps to overcome this error and successfully access your documents.