Now that Microsoft Word has unexpectedly taken a break, leaving you in a state of technological shock, read this detailed guide.
“Microsoft Word Has Stopped Working” is a dreaded message that leaves you petrified for all the right reasons. This abrupt occurrence can be frustrating and confounding, so let’s explore some quick fixes that will help you get hold of it.
This write-up contains the methods to fix the Microsoft Word stopped-working issue and the reasons why your Word malfunctions.
Why Did Microsoft Word Stop Working On My Windows 11 PC?
It is highly necessary to know the reasons behind the error message. Microsoft Word can malfunction for several reasons, and here is a list of the same:
- Compatibility issue
- Outdated software
- Device driver updates
- Add-in issue
- Corrupt or damaged Word file
- Insufficient RAM or low disk space
Now that you are completely aware of the potential reasons that Word malfunctions, take a look at the following steps to fix issues in Microsoft Word.
Take a look at this write-up if your Microsoft Word isn’t opening.
How Can I Fix Microsoft Word Not Responding Issue?
You should follow these necessary troubleshooting steps to troubleshoot and fix the Microsoft Word issue that is not responding. So, perform these steps if you encounter a stopped working error message.
1. Restart Your PC
Restarting the computer can be an easy option if your Microsoft Word has stopped working or is not opening. Since restarting is known to solve minor glitches, this should be the first step in troubleshooting. Restarting will also clear the temporary files and system resources that can sometimes lead to conflicts. To do this, click on the “Start” button and select the “Restart” option.
Wait until the computer fully shuts down, then re-open Microsoft Word and see whether the issue has been resolved. Go to the next troubleshooting step. If the Word has stopped working, the error persists.
2. Repair Corrupted Word Documents
Corrupted documents contain errors that lead to unresponsiveness. They are also known to affect the parts of the document that interact with the word’s internal functions, which can result in crashing or freezing. So, if the MS Word not working issue is persistent, you can repair corrupted Word documents using Microsoft’s built-in repair feature.
This is how you can do it::
- Open MS Word and click the “File” tab in the top left corner.
- Click the “Open” option from the left bar and then select “Browse”.
- Choose the corrupted Word document open the document and choose the “Open And Repair” option from the drop down.
- Now, wait for MS Word to repair the document. After the repair process is over, save the document with a fresh name to avoid confusion.
3. Close Unnecessary Programs
Make sure you end the extra programs and processes running in the background. Doing this will help free up system resources that are being overloaded due to numerous running programs, which in turn results in software glitches or slowdowns. This is an important step in case Microsoft Word does not work, and performing this simple step takes just a few clicks.
This is how you can end the unnecessary processes or programs:
- Right-click the Windows Search button, open “Task Manager,” and navigate to the “Processes” tab.
- Look for programs that are using too much CPU or memory.
- Right-click on it and then select the “End Task” option.
- Now, try opening MS Word.
4. Check For System Updates
If Microsoft Word suddenly stops working, updating the OS will be a wise decision. Updating your Operating System ensures that your system has the latest security patches, bug fixes, and improvements. It will also address potential compatibility issues between MS Word and the OS. Even if updating the system is a good practice, there may be other solutions to all the MS Word-related issues. So, it is essential to try out all the necessary troubleshooting steps.
This is how you can check for updates on your Windows device:
- Open “Settings” from the Windows Start menu.
- Go to “Windows Update” and click “Check For Updates”.
- If there are any necessary updates available, then install them.
5. Start Word In Safe Mode
Starting Word in Safe Mode will allow It to start with a minimal set of features that will help you identify and isolate problems caused by add-ins or custom settings.
This is how you can open Microsoft Word in Safe Mode in Windows:
- Press the Windows key + R simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “winword /safe” and then press “Enter.”
- Doing this will allow you to open MS Word in Safe Mode.
6. Repair MS Office 365
Repairing MS Office 365 will help fix issues where MS Word is not opening or behaving as expected. This process generally aims to correct corrupted or missing program files, settings, or configurations within the office suite.
Here is how you can repair MS Office for Windows:
- Open the Control Panel and navigate to Programs and Programs.
- Now, select “Programs and Features” and look for Microsoft Office in the list.
- Right-click on it and choose the “Change” or “Repair” option.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to initiate the repair process.
- After the repair is over, restart your PC.
7. Disable Add-ins And Extensions
Disabling add-ins will be a helpful troubleshooting step to address the issue of MS Word not working. Add-ins conflict with MS Word’s regular operation, leading to crashes or other unexpected behavior.
Here’s how to turn off add-ins in Microsoft Word:
- Open “Microsoft Word” and choose the “File” tab.
- Select “Options” from the file menu and select “Add-ins” from the left sidebar.
- In the “Manage” dropdown menu, select “COM Add-ins” and click “Go.”
- Uncheck the boxes next to each add-in listed to disable them.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes and close the Word Options dialog box.
- Restart MS Word and wait for the changes to take effect.
8. Reset MS Word Settings
Resetting settings returns Word to its default configuration, potentially resolving problems caused by corrupted or misconfigured settings.
This is how you can reset word settings for Windows:
- Close MS Word and press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “winword /resetsettings” and then press “Enter”.
- Finally, restart MS Word.
9. Uninstall and Re-install Word
Reinstalling MS Word can be a viable solution to the issue of it not opening or behaving as expected. But before proceeding with the reinstallation process, all you need to do is uninstall MS Word.
Here are the steps to uninstall the MS Word:
- Search for Control Panel and go to “Programs.”
- Select “Programs and Features” and look for MS Word in the list of installed programs.
- Right-click on MS Office and choose the “Uninstall” or “Change” option.
- Now, follow the onscreen instructions to go ahead with the uninstallation process.
Here is how you can re-install MS Word:
- After you have done the uninstallation process, restart your computer.
- Now, log in to your Microsoft account or use your original Microsoft Office installation media to download the latest version of MS Office.
- Then, activate MS Office with the help of the product key or your Microsoft account credentials.
- Finally, open Word and check whether the compatibility mode issue is fixed.
Additional Hacks When MS Word Isn’t Responding
You can now start using these tips and tricks to have a better experience with Microsoft Word. Follow these additional hacks and then try to open Microsoft Word:
- Use templates to display a professional look without putting much effort into it.
- Customize the ribbon to access the features frequently.
- Take the help of collaboration tools.
- Explore the add-ins for additional functionality.
- Look for the hidden shortcuts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why Does Microsoft Word Sometimes Stop Working Or Fail To Open?
Microsoft Word can stop working for many reasons, such as conflicting add-ins, corrupt Word documents, issues with Windows updates, or system issues on your Windows PC.
- How Will I Recover An Unsaved Word Document If Microsoft Word Crashes?
For recovering an unsaved Word document after a crash, you must access the auto-recovery feature in Word. To do this, navigate to File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents.
- What Should I Do If Microsoft Word Is Not Responding Or Frequently Crashes?
If Microsoft Word is not responding or crashing frequently, try repairing the Office application through the control panel or reinstalling Office to fix any corrupted files.
Final Words
So, there you have it from my side. By systematically addressing the potential causes, users can now restore Microsoft Word’s functionality and resume the essential tasks. So, follow the recommended troubleshooting steps, resolve the Microsoft Word stopped working error on Windows, and get back to work quickly.