Fix Microsoft Word Crashing When Selecting Custom Table Border Colors
Question details
Microsoft Word crashes unexpectedly when applying a custom color to a table's borders.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing table borders in a document using the Borders and Shading menu.
- Observed behavior
- The application crashes completely when a custom color is selected, even when running in Safe Mode or after attempting an Office repair.
Ensure you have saved all other open documents to prevent data loss. It is also recommended to verify your current version of Microsoft Word before proceeding with the troubleshooting steps.
Install the Latest Microsoft 365 and Windows Updates
Updating your software can resolve underlying bugs or compatibility issues causing Word to crash during table formatting.
Software bugs related to specific interface elements like the color picker are often addressed in subsequent patch releases from Microsoft. Keeping both your operating system and Office suite updated is the best first step.
Launch Microsoft Word and click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Account' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
Under the 'Product Information' section, click on 'Update Options' and select 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu.
Open Windows Settings, navigate to 'Update & Security' (or Windows Update), and click the 'Check for updates' button.
Once all updates are installed, restart your computer, open a new Word document, insert a table, and attempt to change the border color again.
Test with a New Windows User Profile
If the issue persists in Safe Mode, your current Windows user profile might be corrupted, causing conflicts with Office applications.
Collect Crash Details and Contact Microsoft Support
If standard repairs and updates fail, the issue may be a specific system environment bug that requires advanced diagnosis by Microsoft Support.
Try WPS Office for Seamless and Stable Word Processing
If Microsoft Word continues to crash when customizing tables, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly stable, lightweight alternative that fully supports Microsoft Word documents without the frustrating crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Word crash only when I change table border colors?
This specific crash is often caused by a localized bug in a specific build of Microsoft Office, or a conflict with your graphics display drivers when rendering the custom color palette within the Borders and Shading menu.
Will reinstalling Office fix the table border crash?
Not always. If an Online Repair does not resolve the issue, a standard reinstallation might not either, especially if the problem is tied to a corrupted Windows user profile or a known bug in the current Office build version.
How do I find the exact version of Word I am using?
Open Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top left corner, select 'Account' from the bottom left menu, and look under the 'About Word' section for the version and build number.
What should I do if Safe Mode doesn't stop Word from crashing?
If Word crashes in Safe Mode, it rules out add-ins as the cause. You should proceed to check for Windows and Office updates, test on a new Windows user profile, or report the persistent bug directly to Microsoft Support.
