Office Apps Freezing

Fix Microsoft Word Freezing When Opening a Valid HTML File

Maira Mehtab Oct 13, 2026 870 views

Question details

Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 continuously parses a valid HTML file and eventually becomes unresponsive, despite the file opening perfectly in web browsers.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Freezing When Opening an HTML File

Product: Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open and edit a valid HTML document within Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: Word gets stuck in a continuous parsing loop, freezes entirely, and becomes unresponsive.

Before you start

Ensure your Windows operating system is fully updated and check whether you are currently running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Microsoft Office before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Switch to the 64-bit Version of Microsoft 365

Upgrading from a 32-bit to a 64-bit installation of Microsoft Word handles heavy HTML parsing much better and prevents the application from freezing.

The continuous parsing bug frequently occurs in 32-bit versions of Microsoft 365 Apps. Using a 64-bit installation provides better memory management and stability when processing complex HTML structures.

Check current Office version

Open Microsoft Word, click on 'File', select 'Account', and click 'About Word' to see if you have the 32-bit or 64-bit version installed.

Uninstall 32-bit Office

If you are running the 32-bit version, navigate to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps, locate Microsoft Office 365, and click 'Uninstall'.

Install 64-bit Office

Log into your Microsoft account online, navigate to your Office download page, select 'Other options', choose the 64-bit version, and click 'Install'.

Switch to the 64-bit Version of Microsoft 365

Version Compatibility: Testing confirms that the 64-bit Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise build successfully parses and opens valid HTML files without crashing.

Solution 2

Update Microsoft Word to the Latest Build

Installing the latest updates can resolve known continuous parsing bugs in earlier builds of Microsoft 365.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Open HTML Files Seamlessly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word continues to freeze while parsing HTML documents, WPS Office offers a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative. It effortlessly handles HTML formats without hanging or crashing, allowing you to view and edit your documents immediately.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick setup instructions to install WPS Office on your PC.
3. Open your HTML file: Launch WPS Writer, click 'File' > 'Open', and select your HTML document to edit it instantly without experiencing freezes.

Free, lightweight, and fast document processingFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX)Seamless transition with a familiar and intuitive user interfaceReliably opens and edits HTML documents without infinite parsing loops

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word freeze when opening HTML files?

When opening an HTML file, Word attempts to translate and parse all HTML tags and CSS properties into its own rich text format. Complex or unsupported HTML structures can cause memory overflow and processing loops in the 32-bit version, resulting in the app becoming completely unresponsive.

How do I know if my Office 365 is 32-bit or 64-bit?

Open any Office application, such as Word. Click on 'File', select 'Account' from the left sidebar, and then click the 'About Word' button. The window that pops up will clearly display whether it is a 32-bit or 64-bit installation next to the build number.

Can I open an HTML file in a web browser instead of Word?

Yes, HTML files are inherently designed for web browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. You can right-click the file, choose 'Open with', and select a browser to view the content correctly, though you won't be able to edit the text directly as you would in a word processor.

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