Office Apps Crashing

Fix Microsoft Word Crashing When Copying, Pasting, or Using MathType

Emma Brown Oct 15, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Word crashes or freezes during copy and paste operations or when interacting with the MathType add-in.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Crashing When Copying, Pasting, or Using MathType

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Copying text, pasting text, or utilizing the MathType add-in to format equations.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word suddenly closes or becomes completely unresponsive to any user input.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved any open documents in other Office applications to prevent data loss before attempting a system repair or forcefully closing Word.

Solution 1Recommended

Run Word in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins

Starting Word in Safe Mode helps determine if an add-in like MathType is the root cause of the crashes.

Safe Mode starts Microsoft Word without any third-party add-ins loaded. If the application works perfectly in this mode, it confirms that a damaged or incompatible add-in, such as MathType, is responsible for the crashes.

Open the Run dialog

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

Start in Safe Mode

Type 'winword /safe' in the box and press Enter to launch Microsoft Word in Safe Mode.

Test copy and paste

Try using Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V within the document. If it works without crashing, proceed to manage your add-ins.

Disable the problematic add-in

Go to File > Options > Add-ins. Select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage drop-down menu at the bottom and click Go. Uncheck the MathType add-in to disable it, then restart Word normally.

Run Word in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins

Update MathType: If you need to continue using MathType, check their official support website to download the latest version that is compatible with your current Microsoft Office installation.

Solution 2

Perform an Online Repair for Microsoft Office

If Safe Mode does not resolve the issue, repairing the Microsoft Office installation can fix corrupted system files causing the crashes.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office as a Stable Alternative for Document Editing

If Microsoft Word continues to experience crashes and add-in conflicts, switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative for viewing, creating, and editing documents without the heavy system resource overhead.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite to your Windows device.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly without converting them.
3. Edit with Built-in Tools: Use the built-in equation and formatting tools to edit your documents seamlessly without relying on third-party add-ins.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsFree and lightweight with fewer add-in conflict crashesBuilt-in equation tools so you don't need external add-insFamiliar user interface for a seamless transition

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Word crash when I press Ctrl+C or Ctrl+V?

Crashing during copy and paste operations is often caused by conflicting clipboard managers, corrupted document formatting, or problematic third-party add-ins like MathType that interfere with the system clipboard.

How do I update the MathType add-in in Word?

To update MathType, you should visit the official MathType or Wiris website, download the latest installer compatible with your Microsoft Office version, and run it. Alternatively, check the MathType tab in Word for any built-in update options.

Will an Online Repair delete my Word documents?

No, performing an Online Repair on Microsoft Office only fixes the program files. Your personal documents, templates, and customized settings will remain entirely safe on your computer.

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