'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix Microsoft Word Says It Encountered an Error
Question details
The user needs to resolve a startup or runtime issue where Microsoft Word prompts an error message stating that a problem is preventing the application from working correctly.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to launch or use Microsoft Word to edit documents.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word displays an error message stating it encountered a problem that prevents it from functioning properly, forcing the app to close or malfunction.
Before modifying your system settings, make sure to save your work in any other open Office applications and close them completely to ensure a smooth repair process.
Restart Your Computer and Run Office Repair
The most effective way to resolve core application corruption is to restart your system and utilize the built-in Windows repair tool for Microsoft Office.
Restarting your computer clears temporary memory glitches that might be causing Word to fail. If the error persists after a reboot, running the official Microsoft Office Repair tool from your Windows settings can safely replace missing or corrupted application files without affecting your personal documents.
Close all active windows, restart your computer, and try opening Microsoft Word again to see if the issue is resolved.
If the error continues, right-click the Windows Start menu button and select 'Apps and Features' or 'Installed apps' from the menu.
Scroll down the list of installed programs to find your Microsoft Office suite. Click the three vertical dots next to it (or select the app) and choose 'Modify'.
Select 'Quick Repair' and follow the on-screen instructions. If Quick Repair does not fix the issue, run the 'Online Repair' option for a more thorough fix.
Once the repair process is fully complete, restart your computer one final time before launching Word.
Try WPS Office When Microsoft Word Stops Working
If Microsoft Word continues to display error messages or refuses to open, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, reliable, and free alternative that allows you to continue working on your documents without interruption.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software on your device.
- 3. Open your Word documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files to seamlessly resume your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will repairing Microsoft Office delete my Word documents?
No. Running the Quick Repair or Online Repair tool only replaces or fixes corrupted Microsoft Office application files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and files are completely safe and will not be deleted.
What is the difference between Quick Repair and Online Repair?
Quick Repair runs entirely offline, takes only a few minutes, and fixes the most common issues. Online Repair takes longer and requires an internet connection because it downloads fresh installation files from Microsoft's servers to perform a comprehensive fix.
Why does Microsoft Word suddenly say it encountered an error?
This error typically occurs due to corrupted application files, conflicts with outdated third-party add-ins, a glitch during a recent Windows or Office update, or insufficient system resources.
What should I do if the Office repair tool fails to fix the error?
If both Quick and Online repairs fail, you may need to completely uninstall Microsoft Office using the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool, and then reinstall the suite from your Microsoft account.
