Office Apps Freezing

Fix Microsoft 365 Word Freezing by Removing Add-ins

Elise Williams Oct 9, 2026 871 views

Question details

Microsoft Word freezes in normal mode but functions correctly in Safe Mode, often caused by conflicting or outdated add-ins.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Freezing and Remove Problematic Add-Ins

Product: Microsoft 365 Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening Word documents normally results in the application freezing or getting stuck in Protected View.
Observed behavior: Word becomes completely unresponsive in normal mode but operates smoothly when launched in Safe Mode, indicating a conflict with active add-ins, startup files, or templates.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved any open documents and closed all other Microsoft Office applications to prevent data loss while modifying your add-in configurations.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable or Remove COM Add-ins via Word Options

Since Safe Mode automatically bypasses COM add-ins, disabling them manually in normal mode is the most effective way to identify and remove the extension causing Word to freeze.

COM add-ins are legacy extensions that integrate deeply with Microsoft Office. When they become outdated or incompatible with the latest Microsoft 365 updates, they frequently cause performance issues and crashes.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word normally. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the very bottom of the left sidebar.

Navigate to the Add-ins Menu

In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Add-ins' located in the left-hand pane to view all active and inactive extensions.

Manage COM Add-ins

At the bottom of the window next to the 'Manage' label, click the dropdown menu, select 'COM Add-ins', and click the 'Go...' button.

Disable and Remove

Uncheck the boxes next to any suspicious or unnecessary add-ins to disable them. To delete one entirely, select it and click 'Remove'. Click 'OK', then restart Word.

Disable or Remove COM Add-ins via Word Options

Identify the Specific Culprit: Disable your add-ins one by one, restarting Word after each modification. This isolation method helps you pinpoint exactly which add-in is causing the application to freeze.

Solution 2

Remove Modern Office Add-ins from the Ribbon

If standard COM add-ins are not the issue, modern web-based Office add-ins might be causing performance hiccups. These can be removed directly from the main ribbon.

Solution 3

Run a Microsoft 365 Online Repair

If removing add-ins does not resolve the freezing issue, your core Microsoft 365 program files or configurations might be corrupted and require an automatic repair.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience a Faster, Crash-Free Word Processor

If Microsoft Word continues to freeze or crash due to bloated configurations, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and stable environment for all your document needs without the hassle of conflicting add-ins.

1. Download the App: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install Seamlessly: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the lightweight office suite in minutes.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Microsoft Word documents directly without worrying about formatting loss or unexpected freezing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx, .doc) formatsLightweight architecture that loads instantly without freezingFamiliar user interface for a seamless migrationFree to use with built-in PDF editing and advanced document tools

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I confirm an add-in is causing Word to freeze?

If Word freezes during normal operation but runs smoothly when launched in Safe Mode, it strongly indicates that a third-party add-in, custom startup file, or template is causing the conflict. Safe Mode intentionally prevents these elements from loading.

What is the difference between COM Add-ins and Office Add-ins?

COM Add-ins are traditional, locally installed extensions that integrate deeply with your system's Office application, making them a common source of crashes. Modern Office Add-ins (or Web Add-ins) are cloud-based extensions managed via the 'My Add-ins' menu and are generally less prone to causing severe application freezes.

How do I open Word in Safe Mode if it freezes immediately on startup?

You can force Word to open in Safe Mode by holding down the CTRL key while clicking the Word shortcut on your desktop or taskbar. Alternatively, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type 'winword /safe', and press Enter.

Will removing an add-in delete my document data or text?

No. Removing an add-in only uninstalls the third-party extension or tool from the Word application. It does not alter, delete, or affect the actual text or contents saved inside your documents.

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