Office Settings & Configuration

Fix 'Cannot Switch to Print Layout View' Notification in Word

Steven Parker Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is encountering an unusual notification in Word 365 that says it cannot switch to print layout view, even when the document is already in that view.

How to Fix the 'Cannot Switch to Print Layout View' Notification in Word 365

Product: Microsoft Word 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening and editing documents, specifically those based on newly created company templates (.dotx files) after a rebranding.
Observed behavior: A non-native message box appears in the lower-right corner of the screen displaying 'Cannot switch to print layout view. Please check your document', which fades away after approximately 15 seconds.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved your current document and closed any unnecessary Microsoft Word windows before troubleshooting add-ins and templates.

Solution 1Recommended

Identify and Disable Conflicting COM Add-ins

Because this notification is not a native Microsoft Word message, a third-party COM add-in is the most likely culprit.

Many organizations deploy custom COM add-ins created in Microsoft Visual Studio for branding or formatting purposes. If these add-ins contain bugs, they can generate custom notifications that mimic native errors.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word and navigate to File > Options.

Access the Add-ins Menu

In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Add-ins' from the left-hand sidebar.

Manage COM Add-ins

Review the 'Active Application Add-ins' list. At the bottom of the window, change the 'Manage' dropdown to 'COM Add-ins' and click the 'Go...' button.

Disable Suspicious Add-ins

Uncheck any unfamiliar or custom company add-ins from the list, click OK, and restart Word to see if the notification disappears.

Identify and Disable Conflicting COM Add-ins

Add-in Isolation: By disabling add-ins one by one, you can isolate exactly which program is generating the false layout notification.

Solution 2

Test Word in Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Word in a clean state without any add-ins, customizations, or custom templates, helping isolate the root cause.

Solution 3

Inspect Custom Company Templates (.dotx)

If the issue started after a company rebrand or template update, the custom template file itself might contain conflicting macro code or custom scripts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word say it cannot switch to Print Layout view when I'm already in it?

This is typically not a native Word error. It is almost always a custom notification generated by a third-party COM add-in, a custom company plugin, or a macro hidden inside an organizational template (.dotx) that is malfunctioning.

How do I completely remove a broken template in Word?

To remove a template, navigate to File > Options > Add-ins, select 'Templates' in the Manage dropdown, and click Go. You can detach the template there. Alternatively, navigate to your Custom Office Templates folder in File Explorer and delete or move the problematic .dotx file.

What are COM add-ins in Word and should I disable them?

COM add-ins are supplementary programs that extend the capabilities of Microsoft Word, often developed by third parties or corporate IT departments. If you are experiencing strange pop-ups or performance issues, it is highly recommended to disable them temporarily via File > Options > Add-ins to determine if they are the root cause.

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