Office Apps Crashing

Fix Microsoft Word Crashing When Selecting Next or Previous Comment

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing application crashes in Microsoft Word when attempting to navigate between comments in a specific large document.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Crashing When Navigating Comments

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing a large document and navigating between notes using the next or previous comment functions.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word crashes consistently during comment navigation. The issue is isolated to a single large document and persists even after repairing the Office installation and restarting the device.

Before you start

Ensure you save a separate backup copy of your corrupted document before attempting to copy or modify its contents to prevent accidental data loss during the troubleshooting process.

Solution 1Recommended

Copy Document Content Excluding the Final Paragraph Mark

This method resolves document-specific corruption by leaving the corrupted final paragraph mark behind while transferring the healthy text to a fresh file.

When a crash is isolated to a single large document, it is often caused by localized document corruption. Microsoft Word stores many document formatting and structural properties in the final paragraph mark.

By copying everything except this mark into a new blank document, you can effectively strip away the hidden corruption that causes the application to crash when navigating comments.

Show Formatting Marks

Open the problematic document in Microsoft Word. Navigate to the Home tab and click the 'Show/Hide ¶' button in the Paragraph group to display all hidden formatting marks.

Select the Document Text

Scroll to the very bottom of your document and locate the final paragraph mark (¶). Highlight all the content in the document from the beginning down to just before that final mark, ensuring the final paragraph mark is not selected.

Paste into a New Document

Press Ctrl+C to copy the selected text. Go to File > New to open a Blank document, and press Ctrl+V to paste the content. Save the new file and test the comment navigation.

Copy Document Content Excluding the Final Paragraph Mark

Test the New Document: Once saved, try clicking the Next or Previous comment buttons again to verify that the crashing issue is completely resolved.

Solution 2

Resolve Microsoft Support Access Errors

If you are attempting to contact Microsoft Support for further assistance but facing page loading or access errors, try alternative connection methods.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Stable and Seamless Experience

If Microsoft Word continues to crash or corrupt your large documents, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable environment for handling massive files and heavy comments without performance drops.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your large .docx file directly to view all text and comments perfectly preserved.
3. Navigate Comments Smoothly: Use the built-in Review tab to navigate through your document comments quickly and safely without software crashes.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and commentsLightweight architecture that easily handles massive documents without crashingFamiliar user interface with zero learning curve for seamless migrationFree to download and use with comprehensive document editing tools

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Word crash only on this specific document?

Crashing that is isolated to a single file usually indicates document corruption. Hidden structural damage often resides in the document's final paragraph mark, causing crashes when executing specific actions like navigating comments.

Will copying the text without the final paragraph mark lose my formatting?

Most standard formatting applied to the text will remain intact. However, some document-level settings, such as specific page margins or custom styles tied to that final mark, might need to be readjusted in the new document.

What should I do if the Microsoft Support website isn't loading to report the bug?

Intermittent CDN or network issues can temporarily block access to official support pages. Try switching to a different internet network, clearing your browser cache, or waiting a few hours before attempting to contact official support again.

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