Office Performance Issues

Fix Microsoft Word Drawing, Color, and Autosave Issues on Surface Go 2

Camila Milosovich Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing performance degradation, drawing objects moving unexpectedly, inconsistent pen colors, and synchronization failures when autosaving documents.

How to Fix Drawing, Color, and Autosave Problems in Office on Surface Go 2

Product: Microsoft Word / Office
Device & OS: Windows (Surface Go 2)
Scenario: Drawing, editing, and saving documents using a pen or touch after an OS or Office upgrade.
Observed behavior: Drawing elements shift position, pen colors become erratic, the application lags, and autosave fails with synchronization errors. Un-erasable red outlined rectangles also appear.

Before you start

Ensure your Surface Go 2 is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and plugged into a power source, as updating and repairing Microsoft Office can be battery-intensive and requires a solid connection.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Windows and Perform an Office Online Repair

Updating your system and running the built-in Microsoft Office Online Repair tool resolves most corrupted file issues and bugs introduced during upgrades.

Microsoft frequently releases patches for known drawing and synchronization bugs. Running the Online Repair redownloads missing or corrupted application files to restore stable functionality.

Check for Windows Updates

Go to the Start menu, open Settings, select Update & Security, and click Check for updates to ensure your Surface Go 2 operating system is current.

Access Apps and Features

Right-click the Start button and select Apps and Features from the context menu.

Modify Microsoft Office

Scroll down the app list to find your Microsoft Office installation, click on it, and select Modify.

Run Online Repair

Choose Online Repair from the prompt and click Repair. Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your Surface Go 2 once completed.

Update Windows and Perform an Office Online Repair

Repair Duration: The Online Repair may take a while depending on your internet connection. Do not interrupt the process.

Solution 2

Disable Cloud Autosave and Use Local Backups

If OneDrive synchronization continues to fail, manually saving your documents locally ensures your artwork and edits are safely stored without sync interference.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Drawing and Editing Experience

If Microsoft Office continues to lag, fail to sync, or distort your drawings on your Surface Go 2, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with excellent touch and pen support.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Optimized for lightweight performance on devices like the Surface Go 2, eliminating document lag.Reliable local and cloud saving options to completely prevent document and artwork loss.Familiar, user-friendly interface requiring zero learning curve for traditional Office users.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my drawings move randomly in Microsoft Word?

This typically happens due to document rendering glitches after an OS update, or because the drawing objects are anchored to text paragraphs that shift as the document autosaves and recalculates layout.

How do I fix the red outlined rectangle that won't erase on my Surface?

Red rectangles often indicate a synchronization conflict or a locked object from a failed cloud sync. Try copying the rest of your document content into a completely new file and saving it locally.

Does WPS Office support pen input on Windows tablets?

Yes, WPS Office fully supports stylus and touch input for drawing, highlighting, and annotating documents seamlessly on Windows tablets like the Surface Go series.

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