Fix Word Template Missing from Personal Templates
Question details
The user is unable to find their custom Word templates under the File > New > Personal menu.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Trying to create a new document using a previously saved custom template.
- Observed behavior
- The custom template does not appear in the Personal or Custom tab, and an error message stating 'Sorry, we had some trouble connecting to get templates' may be displayed.
Ensure you have an active internet connection and verify whether you are using the desktop version of Word or Word for the web, as template storage locations differ between the two.
Set the Default Personal Templates Location in Word
Manually configuring the folder path for personal templates ensures Word knows exactly where to look for your custom files.
Sometimes Word loses track of where custom templates are stored, especially after updates or moving files. Defining the default personal templates location will force Word to display that folder's contents in the Personal tab.
Launch Microsoft Word on your desktop, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Word Options dialog box, click on the 'Save' tab in the left-hand pane.
Scroll down to the 'Save documents' section and find the 'Default personal templates location' field. Type or paste the exact folder path where your templates are saved (for example, C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Custom Office Templates).
Click 'OK' to save your changes. Restart Word, then navigate to File > New > Personal to verify your templates are now visible.
Access Templates Using the Legacy New Dialog
If the modern start screen fails to connect to the template service, bypassing it with the legacy dialog can help access local templates.
Manage Templates Easily with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word continues to have trouble connecting to template services, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with intuitive local and cloud template management.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and click on 'Menu' > 'New' to access the template library.
- 3. Use Custom Templates: Navigate to your local directories to open your existing .dotx templates effortlessly without connection errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see a 'trouble connecting' error when looking for custom templates?
This error occurs when Word attempts to connect to online Microsoft services to retrieve the template layout but faces network issues, service outages, or firewall blocks. Configuring your templates to be read locally bypasses this issue.
Where are personal Word templates saved by default?
On Windows, custom Word templates are typically saved in 'C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents\Custom Office Templates' by default, unless the default save location was changed in the application settings.
Can I use my existing Word templates (.dotx) in WPS Office?
Yes, WPS Office is fully compatible with Microsoft Word template formats including .dot and .dotx. You can open and use them directly in WPS Writer without losing any formatting or styles.
