How to Fix COM Error 0x80080005 in Word Automation
Question details
The user encounters a System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x80080005) when trying to create a Microsoft.Office.Interop.Word.Application instance.
- Product
- Microsoft Word (Office 2016)
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Running server-side Word automation using an IIS application.
- Observed behavior
- The application throws COM Error 0x80080005 despite having configured IISUSRS and Network Service accounts in the DCOM settings.
Ensure you have administrative access to the server or computer running IIS, and that you can open Component Services to modify advanced DCOM configuration settings.
Review DCOM Launch and Activation Permissions
Re-verify the DCOM configuration for Microsoft Word to ensure the IISUSRS and Network Service accounts have the exact permissions required to launch the application.
Even if IISUSRS and Network Service are added, they must have both Local Launch and Local Activation permissions explicitly granted in the Component Services manager.
Press the Windows key + R, type 'dcomcnfg' in the Run dialog, and press Enter to open the Component Services window.
Navigate to Component Services > Computers > My Computer > DCOM Config. Scroll down and locate 'Microsoft Word 97 - 2003 Document' (or the specific Word Application entry).
Right-click the Word application entry and select 'Properties'. Go to the 'Security' tab.
Under 'Launch and Activation Permissions', select 'Customize' and click 'Edit'. Ensure that IIS_IUSRS and NETWORK SERVICE are added, and check the 'Local Launch' and 'Local Activation' boxes.
Migrate to the Open XML SDK
Replace COM Interop code with the Open XML SDK, which is the Microsoft-recommended approach for server-side document generation.
Looking for a Stable Alternative to Microsoft Office?
If complex COM configuration issues, server-side errors, and heavy installations disrupt your workflow, consider switching your desktop document processing to WPS Office. It provides an intuitive, lightweight experience without the heavy dependencies of traditional Office setups.
- 1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the WPS Office website to find the latest version.
- 2. Download the Installer: Click the 'Free Download' button to get the lightweight installation file.
- 3. Install and Open: Run the installer, follow the simple on-screen instructions, and open your existing Office files instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft not recommend server-side Office automation?
Office applications like Word are designed as interactive client-side applications with a graphical user interface. Running them unattended on a server via IIS can lead to deadlocks, unauthorized dialog prompts, memory leaks, and COM errors such as 0x80080005.
What is the best alternative to using Office Interop for Word documents?
The recommended approach for server-side document generation and manipulation is using the Open XML SDK. It allows you to read and write .docx files directly at the file level without requiring Microsoft Word to be installed or launched on the server.
How do I access Component Services to check DCOM permissions?
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type 'dcomcnfg', and press Enter. From there, navigate to Component Services > Computers > My Computer to review your COM Security and DCOM Config settings.
