Troubleshoot problems that occur when you start or employ Word

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

Quick resolution

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

Important

Follow the steps in this section advisedly. Serious problems might occur if you change the registry incorrectly. Before you modify information technology, back upwards the registry for restoration in instance problems occur.

 Insert your certificate into another file
  1. On the File menu, select New, and then select Blank Certificate.
  2. On the Insert tab, select Object in the Text grouping, so 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 viii.one, or Windows 8) or in the First Search box on the Start carte (in earlier versions of Windows), and so press Enter.
  2. In the Run dialog box, type winword /a, and so press Enter.

Delete the Word Data registry subkey
  1. Get out all Office programs.
  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.one, or Windows viii) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in before versions of Windows), and so press Enter.
  3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are using.
    Word version Registry
    Word 2016 or later HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Part\16.0\Word\Data
    Word 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Discussion\Data
    Discussion 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Part\14.0\Word\Information
    Word 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Function\12.0\Word\Data
    Word 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xi.0\Give-and-take\Information
  4. Select Data, so select Consign on the File menu.
  5. Proper noun the file Wddata.reg, and and so salvage the file to the desktop.
  6. On the Edit card, select Delete, and then select Yes.
  7. Exit Registry Editor.
  8. Start Give-and-take.

Delete the Word Options registry primal
  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Blazon regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Outset Search box on the Start menu (in before versions of Windows), then printing Enter.
  3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Discussion that yous are running.
    Word version Registry
    Give-and-take 2016 or later HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Options
    Word 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\fifteen.0\Word\Options
    Word 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Give-and-take\Options
    Word 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Options
    Word 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Give-and-take\Options
  4. Select Options, and then select Export on the File menu.
  5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and so save the file to the desktop.
  6. On the Edit bill of fare, select Delete, so select Yes.
  7. Leave Registry Editor.
  8. Get-go Word.

Replace the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm global template file
  1. Exit all Role programs.
  2. Type cmd in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.one, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Get-go menu (in before versions of Windows), and then press Enter.
  3. At the command prompt, type the following control, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running, and so 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 control prompt, type get out, and and then press Enter.
  5. Showtime 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 eight.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in before versions of Windows), so printing Enter.
  3. Blazon the following command in the address bar, as appropriate for the version of Word that you're running and its installation blazon, and so press Enter.
    Word version Installation type Path
    Word 2016 or later 64-flake C2R installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Part\root\office16\Startup\
    32-scrap C2R installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Startup\
    64-flake MSI installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Role\office16\Startup|
    32-fleck MSI installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\office16\Startup\
    Discussion 2013 64-bit C2R installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Function\root\office15\Startup\
    32-flake C2R installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Function\root\office15\Startup\
    64-bit MSI installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\
    32-flake MSI installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\
    Discussion 2010 %programfiles%\Microsoft Part\Office14\Startup\
    Word 2007 %programfiles%\Microsoft Role\Office12\Startup\
    Give-and-take 2003 %programfiles%\Microsoft\Office\Office11\Startup\
  4. Right-click one of the files in the folder, and then select Rename.
  5. After the file proper name, type .old, and so press Enter.

    Important

    Make a notation of the original file proper noun and then that you can restore the file, if it is necessary.

  6. Offset Word.
  7. If y'all tin no longer reproduce the trouble, you take institute the specific add together-in that causes the trouble. If you must have the features that the add-in provides, contact the vendor of the add-in for an update.

    If the trouble is not resolved, rename the add-in by using its original name, and then echo steps 3 through vi for each file in the Startup binder.

  8. If you lot can still reproduce the problem, type the following path in the address bar of Windows Explorer, and then select OK.
    Windows 10, Windows viii.1, Windows eight, Windows 7, or Windows Vista
    %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\Startup
    Windows XP
    %userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup
  9. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each file in this Startup folder.

Delete the COM add-ins registry keys
  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.ane, or Windows eight) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and and so press Enter.
  3. Locate the post-obit registry subkey:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins
  4. Select Addins, and and so select Export on the File card.
  5. Name the file WdaddinHKCU.reg, and then salvage 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\Part\Word\Addins
  8. Select Addins, and and so on the File bill of fare, select Export.
  9. Name the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, then save the file to the desktop.
  10. On the Edit carte, select Delete, and so select Yes.
  11. Exit Registry Editor.
  12. Start Give-and-take.
If the problem is resolved, you lot have determined that a COM add-in plan is causing the problem. Adjacent, you must make up one's mind which COM add-in program is causing the trouble.

Change the default printer
  1. Exit all Function programs.
  2. Select the Start push and so Settings.
  3. Get to Devices, and and so select Printers & scanners.
  4. Right-click Microsoft XPS Certificate Writer, and so select Set up every bit default printer.
  5. Start Word.

Verify or install the latest updates

For list of the latest Function updates, see Function Updates. If your consequence is not resolved after you lot install the latest Windows and Office updates, go to Selection 1.

Additional resource

If y'all experience specific issues when you utilise Word, go to the following website to search for more information about your plan version:

Microsoft Part Support search: Word

Detailed view of the options

The following section provides more detailed descriptions of these options.

Option ane: Insert your document into another file

The concluding paragraph marking in a Word document contains information about the certificate. If the certificate is damaged, you lot may be able to recollect the text of the document if you can omit this final paragraph mark.

To admission a document merely get out its final paragraph mark behind, follow these steps:

  1. On the File carte, select New and so select Blank Document.
  2. On the Insert tab, select Object in the Text grouping, and and so select Text from File.
  3. Select the file that you want to open up and insert, and then select Insert.

Choice ii: Start Give-and-take by using the /a switch

The /a ("authoritative 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 as well locks the settings files to forbid it from existence read or modified. To start Word by using the /a switch, follow these steps:

  1. Type Run in the Search box (in Windows ten, Windows viii.1, or Windows 8) or in the Offset Search box on the Beginning menu (in earlier versions of Windows), so press Enter.
  2. In the Run dialog box, type winword /a, and then printing Enter.

For more information nearly the /a switch, run across the following Knowledge Base of operations article:

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

If the problem does not occur when you start Give-and-take by using the /a switch, try the next choice.

Choice 3: Delete the Word Information registry subkey

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

Note

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

Important

Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Before yous alter it, support the registry for restoration in case bug occur.

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

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Get-go Search box on the Start card (in before versions of Windows), and and so press Enter.

  3. Locate the following registry subkey, every bit appropriate for the version of Word that you lot are using.

    Word version Registry
    Word 2016 or later HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\sixteen.0\Word\Data
    Word 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Discussion\Data
    Discussion 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Role\14.0\Discussion\Information
    Word 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Role\12.0\Discussion\Data
    Discussion 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Function\eleven.0\Word\Data

  4. Select Data, and and so select Export on the File menu.

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

  6. On the Edit carte du jour, select Delete, and so select Yep.

  7. Go out Registry Editor.

  8. Start Word.

If Give-and-take starts and works correctly, you lot have resolved the trouble (a damaged Discussion Data registry key). Yous may now have to alter several settings to restore your favorite options in Discussion.

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

Restore the original Word Information registry key

To restore the original Word Information registry subkey, follow these steps:

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

If restoring the Word Data registry subkey doesn't work, go to the next option.

Choice 4: Delete the Word Options registry key

The Give-and-take Options registry key stores options that yous can fix in Word. These settings are divided into default and optional groups. Default settings are created during the plan setup. Optional settings are not created during setup. Y'all can alter both the default and optional settings in Word.

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

  1. Leave all Office 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 menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and so press Enter.

  3. Locate the following registry subkey, equally appropriate for the version of Word that you are running.

    Word version Registry
    Word 2016 or later HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Role\16.0\Give-and-take\Options
    Discussion 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Give-and-take\Options
    Word 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xiv.0\Word\Options
    Word 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Give-and-take\Options
    Discussion 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options

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

  5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and so salve the file to the desktop.

  6. On the Edit bill of fare, select Delete, and so select Yep.

  7. Exit Registry Editor.

  8. Starting time Word.

If Word starts and works correctly, you have resolved the problem (a damaged Word Options registry key). You may at present accept to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.

If the trouble is not resolved, restore the original Word Options registry subkey, then try the next 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 Role programs.
  2. Double-click the Wdoptn.reg icon on the desktop.
  3. Select Yes, and and so select OK.

Option five: Replace the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm global template file

You lot can prevent formatting, AutoText, and macros that are stored in the global template file from affecting the behavior of Discussion and any documents that you open. To do this, replace the global template file.

Of import

This Option includes renaming the global template file so that Word does not find it as expected when information technology restarts. This forces Word to copy the global template file. By doing this, you salvage the original file in case you have to restore it. Be aware that when yous rename the global template file, several settings are reset to their default values, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you save the global template file and do not delete it.

Additionally, in certain situations, you may have more than 1 global template file. For case, this occurs if multiple versions of Word are running on the same computer, or if several workstation installations be on the same computer. In these situations, make sure that you rename each global template file so that it clearly reflects the appropriate Word installation.

To rename the global template file, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Function programs.

  2. Type cmd in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows eight.i, or Windows viii) or in the Get-go Search box on the Commencement bill of fare (in earlier versions of Windows), and and so press Enter.

  3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running, and then press Enter:

    Discussion 2007 or subsequently 

                      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 exit, and then printing Enter.

  5. Start Word.

If Give-and-take starts correctly, y'all take resolved the problem (a damaged global template file). You may have to alter several settings to restore your favorite options.

Note

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

For more than data about how to use the Organizer to copy macros and styles, press F1 in Discussion 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 (run across below), and then get to the next option.

Restore the original global template file

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

  1. Exit all Office programs.

  2. Blazon cmd in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Starting time menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and and so press Enter.

  3. At the control prompt, type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running, and and so press 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. Type exit, so press Enter.

  5. Offset Word.

Option half dozen: Disable the Startup binder add-ins

When you start Word, Word automatically loads templates and add-ins that are located in the Startup folders. Conflicts or bug that affect an add-in tin can cause problems in Discussion. To determine whether an detail in a Startup folder is causing the problem, temporarily disable the registry setting that points to these add together-ins.

To practise this, follow these steps:

  1. Exit all Function programs.

  2. Start Windows Explorer. Blazon windows ex in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.ane, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), then printing Enter.

  3. Type the following control in the address bar, as appropriate for the version of Discussion that you're running and its installation type, and then press Enter:

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

  4. Correct-click one of the files in the folder, and then select Rename.

  5. Later the file name, blazon .sometime, and then press Enter.

    Important

    Make a note of the original file name so that y'all can restore the file, if information technology becomes necessary.

  6. Start Word.

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

    If the problem is not resolved, rename the add-in past using its original name, so repeat steps iii through 6 for each file in the Startup folder.

  8. If you lot can still reproduce the problem, type the following path in the address bar of Windows Explorer, so select OK.

    For Windows ten, Windows 8.1, Windows viii, Windows seven, or Windows Vista

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

    For Windows XP

    %userprofile%\Application Information\Microsoft\Give-and-take\Startup

  9. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each file in this Startup binder.

If the problem is not resolved after you lot disable the Startup folder add-ins, go to the next choice.

Yous can install COM add-ins to any location. Programs that collaborate with Word install COM add-ins. To decide whether a COM add-in is causing the problem, temporarily disable the COM add-ins by deleting the registry keys for the COM add-ins.

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

  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Blazon regedit in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and and then printing Enter.
  3. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Give-and-take\Addins
  4. Select Addins, and then select File > Consign.
  5. Name the file WdaddinHKCU.reg, and so salve the file to the desktop.
  6. On the Edit card, select Delete, and and then select Yes.
  7. Locate the post-obit registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\Give-and-take\Addins
  8. Select Addins, and select File > Export.
  9. Proper name the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
  10. On the Edit menu, select Delete, so select Yes.
  11. Get out Registry Editor.
  12. Kickoff Discussion.

If the problem is resolved, you accept determined that a COM add-in plan is causing the trouble. Adjacent, y'all must determine which COM add together-in program 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. Exit all Office programs.

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

  3. Select Yes, and so select OK.

  4. Utilize 1 of the following procedures, as appropriate for the version of Word that you lot are running.

    Word 2010 or later

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

    Notation

    If an add-in is listed in the COM Add-Ins dialog box, clear the add-in bank check box. If more than ane add together-in is listed, clear only one add together-in cheque box at a time. This process helps you determine which add-in is causing the trouble.

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

    Word 2007

    1. Select the Microsoft Office push button, and then select Give-and-take options.

    2. Select Add together-ins.

    3. In the Manage list, select COM Add-ins, and then select Go.

      If an add-in is listed in the COM Add-Ins dialog box, clear the add-in check box. If more than than one add-in is listed, articulate but one add-in bank check box at a time. This procedure helps you determine which add-in is causing the trouble.

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

    5. select the Microsoft Office Button, and so select Exit Word.

    6. On the File carte, select Exit.

  5. Start Give-and-take.

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

  • If the problem is not resolved when y'all start Word, repeat steps iv and 5 for each COM add-in that's listed until you determine which add-in is causing the problem.

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

Option viii: Modify the default printer

To alter the default printer, follow these steps:
  1. Exit all Office programs.
  2. Select the Starting time button and then Settings.
  3. Go to Devices, and then select Printers & scanners.
  4. Right-click Microsoft XPS Certificate Writer, and so select Gear up as default printer.
  5. Start Word.

If the problem is resolved after you start Word, you lot have determined that the printer is causing the problem. If this is the case, contact the vendor to come across whether there is an update for the printer commuter.