File Sharing Problems

Fix Microsoft Word Stuck on Connecting to the Server for Information

Nimra Malik Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing significant delays when opening or working on documents, as Microsoft Word gets stuck displaying a server connection prompt.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Stuck on 'Connecting to the Server for Information'

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening or editing a document that may be linked to an external server, OneDrive, SharePoint, or an on-premises network drive.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word repeatedly hangs and displays the message 'Connecting to the server for information' (or 'Contacting the server for information'), taking several minutes for each attempt.

Before you start

Before proceeding, check your internet connection and try temporarily turning off your Wi-Fi to see if forcing Word offline bypasses the connection prompt.

Solution 1Recommended

Identify File Location and Test Document Scope

Determine whether the connection error is isolated to a specific cloud service like OneDrive or SharePoint, or if it's a local network issue affecting all files.

This error typically occurs when Word is trying to access a file, template, or linked object hosted on a server that is currently slow or unreachable. Identifying where the file is stored is the first step to resolving it.

Check the file storage location

Determine if the document you are trying to open is saved on your local hard drive, Microsoft OneDrive, a corporate SharePoint site, or a local on-premises server.

Test with multiple documents

Try opening a different document stored in the same network or cloud location. If multiple documents are affected, the issue is likely with the server or your internet connection, rather than a corrupted file.

Verify your network connection

Check your taskbar or system settings to ensure you have a stable and active internet connection. A weak connection can cause server handshake requests to hang indefinitely.

Identify File Location and Test Document Scope

External Links in Local Documents: Even if your document is saved locally, Word might still try to contact a server if the document contains linked images, templates, or objects hosted externally.

Solution 2

Consult Microsoft Troubleshooting and Tenant Admins

If the issue persists in a corporate environment, you may need to escalate the problem to your IT administrator or follow advanced Microsoft guidance.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Fast, Offline Document Editing

Tired of Microsoft Word hanging on 'Connecting to the server for information'? WPS Office offers a lightweight, high-performance alternative that doesn't suffer from forced server connection delays. Enjoy seamless offline editing and perfect compatibility with Microsoft Office formats.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your device.
3. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer, go to Menu > Open, and select your .docx file to start editing immediately without server hang-ups.

No annoying server connection delays during everyday editing tasksFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formatsLightweight software that launches instantly and runs smoothly on older devicesWork completely offline without forced cloud synchronizationsFamiliar user interface makes switching easy and requires no learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Microsoft Word stuck on 'Connecting to the server for information'?

This happens when Word attempts to access resources located on an external server (such as OneDrive, SharePoint, or a network drive) that is currently unresponsive or experiencing high latency. It can also occur if a local document contains linked images or templates hosted online.

How can I bypass the connecting to server message in Word?

You can often bypass this message by temporarily disconnecting your device from the internet (turning off Wi-Fi or unplugging the ethernet cable). This forces the connection attempt to time out immediately, allowing you to edit the document offline.

Can I permanently disable the contacting server message?

While you cannot completely disable server communications for cloud files, you can prevent Word from automatically updating linked information. Go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll down to the General section, and uncheck 'Update automatic links at open'.

Document & File Issues