File Corruption & Recovery

Fix Word Found Unreadable Content in SharePoint Downloaded Documents

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users encounter an error message stating that Word found unreadable content when trying to locally open a DOCX document that was modified in and downloaded from SharePoint.

How to Fix "Word Found Unreadable Content" in SharePoint Downloaded Documents

Product: Microsoft Word, SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user uploads a document to SharePoint, modifies it using Word for the web, downloads the modified file, and attempts to open it locally.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word displays an error message reading: "Word found unreadable content in 'fileName.docx'. Do you want to recover the contents of this document?" and fails to open the file normally.

Before you start

Verify that you have appropriate permissions in SharePoint to view document version history, and ensure you have a stable internet connection before attempting to download recovered files.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore a Previous Version of the File in SharePoint

Reverting to an earlier version of the document helps bypass recent corruption or incompatible formatting introduced during the latest editing session.

SharePoint automatically saves versions of your files as you work. If a recently downloaded document becomes corrupted due to backend processing errors, rolling back to a version saved prior to the corruption is often the most effective fix.

Locate the file in SharePoint

Navigate to the SharePoint document library where your affected DOCX file is stored.

Access Version History

Right-click the document name (or click the three-dot menu icon next to it) and select 'Version history' from the context menu.

Restore an older version

Hover over the date of a previous version that you know was working, click the down arrow that appears, and select 'Restore'.

Download and test

Once the older version is restored, download the file again and open it locally in Word to confirm the unreadable content error is resolved.

Restore a Previous Version of the File in SharePoint

Version History Tip: You can also choose to 'View' or download a previous version to test it before officially restoring it over the current file.

Solution 2

Use the Built-in Word Recovery Tool

Attempt to repair the downloaded file locally using Microsoft Word's Open and Repair feature.

Solution 3

Open a Microsoft 365 Service Request

If the unreadable content error affects multiple documents downloaded from SharePoint, there may be a backend processing issue requiring Microsoft support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Open and Edit DOCX Files Seamlessly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word consistently struggles with unreadable content errors from SharePoint downloads, consider using WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that can often open documents other programs find problematic.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
3. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer, go to Menu > Open, and select your downloaded SharePoint document to read and edit without errors.

Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Word DOCX formatsFree, lightweight, and fast-loading alternative to Microsoft 365Familiar user interface ensuring a seamless migrationBuilt-in file repair capabilities for robust document handling

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word say it found unreadable content in my downloaded SharePoint file?

This error is typically caused by document corruption, incompatible content formats introduced during editing, or a backend processing glitch in Word for the web or SharePoint when generating the downloadable file.

Can I recover the text if the document remains unreadable?

Yes. Open Word locally, go to File > Open > Browse. In the file type dropdown menu (usually displaying 'All Word Documents'), select 'Recover Text from Any File (*.*)', then select your document and click Open.

How can I prevent files from becoming corrupted in SharePoint?

To minimize corruption, ensure a stable internet connection during edits, avoid applying overly complex formatting not fully supported by Word for the web, and occasionally save backup copies of critical documents locally.

Document & File Issues