Troubleshoot bug that occur when you start or use Word

  • Commodity
  • 17 minutes to read
  • Applies to:
    Word for Microsoft 365, Give-and-take 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, Word 2007, Word 2003

Quick resolution

Try the following options to help determine the root crusade of your problem in Word. Select the image at the left or the option heading to run into more detailed instructions about that option.

Important

Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious issues might occur if you alter the registry incorrectly. Before you modify information technology, dorsum upward the registry for restoration in example issues occur.

 Insert your document into another file
  1. On the File bill of fare, select New, and then select Blank Document.
  2. On the Insert tab, select Object in the Text group, and and then select Text from File.
  3. Select the file that you want to open and insert, and and so select Insert.

Start Word by using the /a switch
  1. Type Run in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows eight.i, or Windows eight) or in the Start Search box on the Outset card (in earlier versions of Windows), and so printing Enter.
  2. In the Run dialog box, blazon winword /a, and then press Enter.

Delete the Word Information registry subkey
  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows viii) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in before versions of Windows), and and so printing Enter.
  3. Locate the following registry subkey, equally advisable for the version of Word that you are using.
    Word version Registry
    Discussion 2016 or later HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Function\xvi.0\Word\Data
    Word 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xv.0\Word\Data
    Word 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\fourteen.0\Word\Information
    Word 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Give-and-take\Data
    Word 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Part\11.0\Discussion\Data
  4. Select Data, and and so select Consign on the File menu.
  5. Proper name the file Wddata.reg, and and so salvage the file to the desktop.
  6. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and so select Yes.
  7. Exit Registry Editor.
  8. Start Word.

Delete the Word Options registry central
  1. Exit all Role programs.
  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows viii.1, or Windows viii) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in before versions of Windows), and and so press Enter.
  3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running.
    Give-and-take version Registry
    Discussion 2016 or later HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Options
    Word 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Give-and-take\Options
    Word 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xiv.0\Give-and-take\Options
    Word 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Discussion\Options
    Word 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\eleven.0\Word\Options
  4. Select Options, so select Export on the File carte.
  5. Proper name the file Wddata.reg, then salve the file to the desktop.
  6. On the Edit menu, select Delete, then select Yes.
  7. Exit Registry Editor.
  8. Kickoff Give-and-take.

Supervene upon the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm global template file
  1. Leave all Office programs.
  2. Blazon cmd in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start card (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.
  3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Discussion that you are running, and then press Enter:

    Word 2007 or later 

                              ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dotm OldNormal.dotm

    Word 2003 

                              ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot OldNormal.dot
  4. At the command prompt, type leave, and and so press Enter.
  5. Starting time Word.

Disable the Startup folder add-ins
  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Start Windows Explorer. To do this, type windows ex in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Beginning Search box on the Showtime carte (in earlier versions of Windows), and and so press Enter.
  3. Blazon the following command in the address bar, as appropriate for the version of Discussion that you're running and its installation type, and so press Enter.
    Word version Installation type Path
    Give-and-take 2016 or later 64-bit C2R installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Startup\
    32-bit C2R installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Part\root\office16\Startup\
    64-bit MSI installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\office16\Startup|
    32-bit MSI installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Role\office16\Startup\
    Word 2013 64-bit C2R installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\root\office15\Startup\
    32-fleck C2R installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Function\root\office15\Startup\
    64-bit MSI installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\
    32-fleck MSI installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\
    Word 2010 %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\Office14\Startup\
    Give-and-take 2007 %programfiles%\Microsoft Part\Office12\Startup\
    Word 2003 %programfiles%\Microsoft\Office\Office11\Startup\
  4. Right-click 1 of the files in the folder, and then select Rename.
  5. After the file name, type .quondam, and then press Enter.

    Of import

    Make a note of the original file name so that you tin can restore the file, if it is necessary.

  6. Showtime Word.
  7. If you can no longer reproduce the problem, you have establish the specific add-in that causes the problem. If yous must have the features that the add-in provides, contact the vendor of the add-in for an update.

    If the problem is non resolved, rename the add-in by using its original name, and then repeat steps 3 through 6 for each file in the Startup folder.

  8. If yous can withal reproduce the problem, type the following path in the address bar of Windows Explorer, and so select OK.
    Windows 10, Windows 8.one, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista
    %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\Startup
    Windows XP
    %userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup
  9. Repeat steps three through 6 for each file in this Startup folder.

Delete the COM add-ins registry keys
  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Blazon regedit in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows eight.1, or Windows 8) or in the Showtime Search box on the Beginning bill of fare (in earlier versions of Windows), and so press Enter.
  3. Locate the following registry subkey:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Part\Word\Addins
  4. Select Addins, and then select Export on the File menu.
  5. Proper name the file WdaddinHKCU.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
  6. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and then select Yes.
  7. Locate the following registry subkey:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins
  8. Select Addins, and so on the File menu, select Export.
  9. Name the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, so save the file to the desktop.
  10. On the Edit carte du jour, select Delete, and so select Yes.
  11. Exit Registry Editor.
  12. First Give-and-take.
If the trouble is resolved, yous have determined that a COM add-in program is causing the problem. Next, yous must determine which COM add-in program is causing the problem.

Change the default printer
  1. Leave all Office programs.
  2. Select the Showtime button and then Settings.
  3. Go to Devices, and so select Printers & scanners.
  4. Correct-click Microsoft XPS Certificate Writer, and and then select Set equally default printer.
  5. Start Give-and-take.

Verify or install the latest updates

For list of the latest Office updates, meet Office Updates. If your issue is not resolved after you lot install the latest Windows and Office updates, go to Option one.

Additional resources

If you experience specific bug when you utilize Give-and-take, go to the following website to search for more data about your program version:

Microsoft Office Support search: Word

Detailed view of the options

The post-obit section provides more detailed descriptions of these options.

Option 1: Insert your certificate into another file

The final paragraph mark in a Give-and-take document contains information nearly the document. If the document is damaged, you may exist able to retrieve the text of the document if y'all can omit this final paragraph mark.

To access a document but leave its final paragraph marker behind, follow these steps:

  1. On the File menu, select New and and then select Bare Document.
  2. On the Insert tab, select Object in the Text group, and so select Text from File.
  3. Select the file that yous want to open up and insert, then select Insert.

Option ii: Commencement Word past using the /a switch

The /a ("administrative installation") switch is a troubleshooting tool that is used to make up one's mind where a problem may be in Word. The /a switch prevents add-ins and global templates from existence loaded automatically. The /a switch also locks the settings files to preclude it from being read or modified. To start Word by using the /a switch, follow these steps:

  1. Type Run in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Get-go Search box on the Outset carte du jour (in before versions of Windows), and so press Enter.
  2. In the Run dialog box, type winword /a, and and so press Enter.

For more information nigh the /a switch, meet the post-obit Knowledge Base commodity:

826857 "Description of the "/a" startup switch in Word."

If the problem does non occur when y'all outset Discussion past using the /a switch, try the side by side option.

Option 3: Delete the Discussion Information registry subkey

Near of the frequently used options in Word are stored in the Discussion Data registry subkey. A common troubleshooting step is to delete the Give-and-take Information registry subkey. When you lot restart Word, the programme rebuilds the Word Information registry subkey by using the default settings.

Note

When yous delete the Word Data registry subkey, Word resets several options to their default settings. For example, Word resets the "most recently used file" list on the File menu. Also, Word resets many of the settings that you may have customized in the Options dialog box.

Of import

Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you alter the registry incorrectly. Earlier you lot modify information technology, support the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

To delete the Discussion Data registry subkey, follow these steps:

  1. Leave all Office programs.

  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.ane, or Windows 8) or in the Showtime Search box on the Kickoff menu (in before versions of Windows), so press Enter.

  3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that y'all are using.

    Give-and-take version Registry
    Give-and-take 2016 or afterward HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xvi.0\Give-and-take\Data
    Word 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word\Data
    Word 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Role\14.0\Word\Data
    Word 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Give-and-take\Data
    Word 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Data

  4. Select Information, then select Export on the File menu.

  5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.

  6. On the Edit card, select Delete, then select Yeah.

  7. Exit Registry Editor.

  8. Commencement Word.

If Discussion starts and works correctly, you take resolved the problem (a damaged Word Information registry central). You may now take to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.

If the problem is not resolved, restore the original Word Information registry subkey, and then try the next choice.

Restore the original Give-and-take Data registry cardinal

To restore the original Give-and-take Data registry subkey, follow these steps:

  1. Go out all Office programs.
  2. Double-click the Wddata.reg icon on the desktop.
  3. Select Yes, so select OK.

If restoring the Word Information registry subkey doesn't work, go to the next choice.

Option 4: Delete the Word Options registry cardinal

The Discussion Options registry primal stores options that y'all tin set in Word. These settings are divided into default and optional groups. Default settings are created during the program setup. Optional settings are non created during setup. You tin can change both the default and optional settings in Word.

To delete the Word Options registry key, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Blazon regedit in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.one, or Windows 8) or in the Starting time Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and and so printing Enter.

  3. Locate the post-obit registry subkey, as advisable for the version of Word that yous are running.

    Word version Registry
    Word 2016 or later HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Part\sixteen.0\Word\Options
    Word 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word\Options
    Word 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Part\fourteen.0\Give-and-take\Options
    Word 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Function\12.0\Word\Options
    Discussion 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xi.0\Word\Options

  4. Select Options, and then on the File menu select Export.

  5. Name the file Wddata.reg, then save the file to the desktop.

  6. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and then select Yep.

  7. Get out Registry Editor.

  8. Start Word.

If Word starts and works correctly, y'all take resolved the problem (a damaged Word Options registry key). Y'all may now have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.

If the trouble is not resolved, restore the original Word Options registry subkey, and then effort the adjacent option.

To restore the original Word Options registry subkey

To restore the original Give-and-take Options registry key, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Double-click the Wdoptn.reg icon on the desktop.
  3. Select Yes, and and then select OK.

Choice 5: Replace the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm global template file

You can forbid formatting, AutoText, and macros that are stored in the global template file from affecting the behavior of Word and any documents that you open. To do this, supersede the global template file.

Of import

This Pick includes renaming the global template file so that Word does not find information technology as expected when information technology restarts. This forces Word to re-create the global template file. Past doing this, y'all salve the original file in case you take to restore it. Exist aware that when y'all rename the global template file, several settings are reset to their default values, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. Therefore, nosotros strongly recommend that you save the global template file and exercise not delete it.

Additionally, in sure situations, you may have more than one global template file. For example, this occurs if multiple versions of Word are running on the same calculator, or if several workstation installations exist on the same computer. In these situations, brand sure that yous rename each global template file so that it clearly reflects the appropriate Discussion installation.

To rename the global template file, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Blazon cmd in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.one, or Windows viii) or in the Offset Search box on the Start menu (in before versions of Windows), and and then printing Enter.

  3. At the command prompt, blazon the following control, as advisable for the version of Word that you lot are running, and then press Enter:

    Give-and-take 2007 or later 

                      ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dotm OldNormal.dotm

    Word 2003 

                      ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot OldNormal.dot

  4. At the command prompt, type get out, and then press Enter.

  5. First Word.

If Word starts correctly, you have resolved the problem (a damaged global template file). You may have to alter several settings to restore your favorite options.

Note

The onetime global template file may incorporate customizations that tin't be easily re-created. These customizations may include styles, macros, and AutoText entries. In this instance, yous may exist able to copy the customizations from the onetime global template file to the new global template file by using the Organizer.

For more data about how to utilise the Organizer to re-create macros and styles, printing F1 in Word to open Microsoft Word Help, type rename macros in the Search box, and then select Search to view the topic.

If the problem is not resolved, restore the original global template file (see below), and then go to the next pick.

Restore the original global template file

To restore the original global template file, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Function programs.

  2. Type cmd in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Starting time carte (in before versions of Windows), and then printing Enter.

  3. At the command prompt, blazon the following command, as appropriate for the version of Give-and-take that you are running, and then printing Enter:

    Word 2007 or later 

                      ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\OldNormal.dotm Normal.dotm

    Word 2003 

                      ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\OldNormal.dot Normal.dot

  4. Blazon exit, and so press Enter.

  5. Start Word.

Option 6: Disable the Startup folder add-ins

When you kickoff Word, Word automatically loads templates and add together-ins that are located in the Startup folders. Conflicts or problems that affect an add-in tin can cause issues in Word. To make up one's mind whether an detail in a Startup binder is causing the problem, temporarily disable the registry setting that points to these add-ins.

To practice this, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Function programs.

  2. Start Windows Explorer. Type windows ex in the Search box (in Windows ten, Windows 8.one, or Windows 8) or in the Showtime Search box on the Starting time menu (in before versions of Windows), then press Enter.

  3. Blazon the post-obit command in the address bar, as advisable for the version of Discussion that you're running and its installation type, and so press Enter:

    Word version Installation type Path
    Word 2016 or later on 64-flake C2R installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Startup\
    32-bit C2R installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Startup\
    64-bit MSI installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\office16\Startup|
    32-bit MSI installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Part\office16\Startup\
    Discussion 2013 64-bit C2R installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\root\office15\Startup\
    32-scrap C2R installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Role\root\office15\Startup\
    64-bit MSI installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Function\office15\Startup\
    32-fleck MSI installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\
    Discussion 2010 %programfiles%\Microsoft Role\Office14\Startup\
    Word 2007 %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\Office12\Startup\
    Discussion 2003 %programfiles%\Microsoft\Role\Office11\Startup\

  4. Right-click one of the files in the folder, and and so select Rename.

  5. After the file name, blazon .old, and then press Enter.

    Important

    Make a note of the original file name and then that you tin restore the file, if information technology becomes necessary.

  6. Start Word.

  7. If you lot tin can no longer reproduce the problem, y'all accept found the specific add-in that causes the problem. If you must have the features that the add together-in provides, contact the vendor of the add together-in for an update.

    If the trouble is not resolved, rename the add-in by using its original proper noun, and then repeat steps 3 through 6 for each file in the Startup binder.

  8. If y'all tin still reproduce the problem, type the post-obit path in the address bar of Windows Explorer, and then select OK.

    For Windows 10, Windows viii.1, Windows eight, Windows 7, or Windows Vista

    %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\Startup

    For Windows XP

    %userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Discussion\Startup

  9. Echo steps iii through 6 for each file in this Startup folder.

If the problem is not resolved after y'all disable the Startup folder add together-ins, go to the next choice.

You can install COM add-ins to whatsoever location. Programs that interact with Word install COM add together-ins. To determine whether a COM add-in is causing the problem, temporarily disable the COM add-ins past deleting the registry keys for the COM add-ins.

To delete the COM add-ins registry keys, follow these steps:

  1. Go out all Role programs.
  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows viii.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start bill of fare (in before versions of Windows), and so press Enter.
  3. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Discussion\Addins
  4. Select Addins, and then select File > Export.
  5. Name the file WdaddinHKCU.reg, and and then save the file to the desktop.
  6. On the Edit carte, select Delete, and and so select Yes.
  7. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins
  8. Select Addins, and select File > Consign.
  9. Name the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, and so save the file to the desktop.
  10. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and and so select Yes.
  11. Leave Registry Editor.
  12. Commencement Give-and-take.

If the trouble is resolved, you have adamant that a COM add together-in program is causing the trouble. Adjacent, y'all must determine which COM add-in programme is causing the problem.

Determine which COM add-in program is causing the problem

To decide the problematic COM add-in program, follow these steps:

  1. Leave all Office programs.

  2. Double-click the Wdaddin.reg icon on your desktop.

  3. Select Yes, and then select OK.

  4. Use one of the following procedures, as advisable for the version of Give-and-take that you are running.

    Give-and-take 2010 or later on

    1. On the File menu, select Options.
    2. Select Add-Ins.
    3. In the Manage list, select COM Add-Ins, and then select Get.

    Notation

    If an add-in is listed in the COM Add together-Ins dialog box, clear the add-in cheque box. If more ane add-in is listed, articulate only one add-in check box at a time. This procedure helps y'all determine which add-in is causing the problem.

    1. Select OK to close the COM Add-Ins dialog box.
    2. On the File menu, select Get out.

    Word 2007

    1. Select the Microsoft Office button, and then select Word options.

    2. Select Add-ins.

    3. In the Manage listing, select COM Add-ins, and so select Go.

      If an add-in is listed in the COM Add-Ins dialog box, clear the add-in bank check box. If more than than i add-in is listed, clear only one add-in bank check box at a fourth dimension. This procedure helps you determine which add-in is causing the problem.

    4. select OK to close the COM Add together-Ins dialog box.

    5. select the Microsoft Office Button, so select Get out Give-and-take.

    6. On the File card, select Exit.

  5. Get-go Word.

  • If the problem is resolved when y'all start Word, you have determined which COM add-in is causing the problem. If you must accept the features that the add-in provides, you must make up one's mind which add-in includes those features so that you tin contact the vendor for an update.

  • If the trouble is not resolved when you outset Word, repeat steps 4 and 5 for each COM add-in that'due south listed until you make up one's mind which add together-in is causing the problem.

To restore the COM add-ins, echo step 4, but select the check box for each COM add-in that you lot want to restore.

Pick viii: Alter the default printer

To change the default printer, follow these steps:
  1. Exit all Role programs.
  2. Select the Showtime button and and so Settings.
  3. Get to Devices, and then select Printers & scanners.
  4. Correct-click Microsoft XPS Document Author, and so select Set up as default printer.
  5. Start Give-and-take.

If the trouble is resolved after you starting time Word, you accept determined that the printer is causing the problem. If this is the case, contact the vendor to meet whether at that place is an update for the printer driver.