Office Apps Crashing

Fix Microsoft Word Crashing and Restarting While Editing

Natalie Taylor Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is experiencing persistent crashes and restarts in Microsoft Word while editing documents, which continue even after standard troubleshooting.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Crashing and Restarting While Editing Documents

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Editing documents in Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: Word repeatedly crashes and restarts during document editing. The issue persists despite booting in Safe Mode, checking add-ins, applying registry tweaks, and restarting the computer.

Before you start

Before proceeding with advanced repairs, ensure you have the login credentials for the Microsoft account associated with your Office license, as a full reinstall may be required.

Solution 1Recommended

Run Office Online Repair and Install Updates

Use the built-in Windows repair tool to fix corrupted Microsoft Office files and ensure your software is up to date.

Often, Word crashes due to missing or corrupted installation files. The Online Repair tool connects to Microsoft's servers to replace these faulty files without affecting your personal documents.

Open Installed Apps

Open Windows Settings, navigate to Apps, and click on Installed Apps.

Modify Microsoft 365

Scroll to find Microsoft 365 (or your specific Office version), click the three dots next to it, and select Modify.

Run Online Repair

Choose 'Online Repair' from the prompt window and click 'Repair' to begin the process.

Update Office

After the repair finishes, open Word, go to File > Account > Update Options, and select 'Update Now' to ensure you are on the latest build.

Run Office Online Repair and Install Updates

Internet Connection Required: Online Repair requires an active internet connection. If your connection is unstable, try the 'Quick Repair' option first.

Solution 2

Run System File Checker and Reinstall Office

If Word continues to crash, checking your Windows system files and performing a clean reinstall of Office is necessary.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Stable and Seamless Editing Experience

If Microsoft Word continues to crash and disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly stable alternative that prevents unexpected application failures while providing top-tier compatibility with all your existing Microsoft Office documents.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer, click 'Open', and select your existing .docx file.
3. Edit Without Interruptions: Continue editing your document with full formatting support and a stable environment.

Highly stable performance to prevent sudden crashes and data loss while editing.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx) ensuring zero formatting issues.Lightweight installation that consumes fewer system resources than Microsoft 365.Familiar user interface for a seamless transition from Microsoft Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Word keep crashing when I type or edit?

Word typically crashes due to corrupted Office installation files, outdated software versions, conflicting third-party add-ins, or underlying Windows system errors. Running an Online Repair often resolves these underlying file corruptions.

Will running Office Online Repair delete my Word documents?

No, running the Online Repair or Quick Repair tool from Windows Settings only reinstalls and fixes the software's application files. Your personal documents, files, and data remain completely untouched.

How do I completely remove Office if the standard uninstaller fails?

You can use the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool. This official utility completely scrubs Office files, folders, and registry keys from your Windows PC, allowing for a fresh, clean installation.

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