VBA & Macro Problems

How to Fix Word Macro-Enabled Documents and VBA System Error &H80070057

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to maintain functional macros in Word documents after a software update triggers a VBA system error.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating or modifying macros in .docm files after a Word update, ensuring the macros stay enabled without triggering system errors.
Observed behavior: New .docm documents lose their macro-enabled status. Attempting to add a new macro results in VBA 'System Error &H80070057 (-2147024809)', even though Trust Center settings and trusted locations are configured correctly.

Before you start

Verify that your Trust Center settings allow macros to run in trusted locations, and ensure you have a backup of any existing VBA code before changing template locations.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Custom Macro-Enabled Templates in the Startup Folder

Instead of storing all your macros in the default Normal.dotm template, use dedicated custom templates in the Word Startup folder to prevent corruption and VBA errors.

The default Normal.dotm template is frequently updated and modified by Microsoft Word during standard operations. Relying on it to store all your macros increases the risk of file corruption, which is a common cause for VBA 'System Error &H80070057'.

By saving your macros in a separate, custom macro-enabled template (.dotm) and placing it inside Word's Startup folder, the macros will automatically load whenever Word starts, remaining safely isolated from the default template.

Create a New Macro-Enabled Template

Open Microsoft Word and create a new blank document. Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA Editor, insert your required macros, and then go to File > Save As.

Select the .dotm File Format

In the Save As dialog, change the file type to 'Word Macro-Enabled Template (*.dotm)'.

Save to the Word Startup Folder

Navigate to the Word Startup folder (typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP). Save your new template file in this directory.

Restart Microsoft Word

Close all instances of Microsoft Word and open it again. The custom template will load automatically, making your macros available across all documents without relying on Normal.dotm.

Startup Folder Location: If you cannot find the Startup folder, open Word and navigate to File > Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the General section and click 'File Locations' to see the exact path for 'Startup'.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why shouldn't I save all my VBA macros in Normal.dotm?

The Normal.dotm template is continually modified by Word to save default styles and settings. Storing all your macros here increases the risk of file corruption, which can lead to VBA errors and lost code. Using custom templates is a much safer practice.

What does VBA System Error &H80070057 mean in Word?

This specific system error typically indicates an 'Invalid Argument' or internal file corruption. It often occurs when Word fails to process a corrupted Normal.dotm template or encounters conflicting macro security permissions after a software update.

How do I find my Word Startup folder?

By default on Windows, the Startup folder is located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP. You can also find it by opening Word, clicking File > Options > Advanced, and checking 'File Locations' at the bottom of the menu.

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