Office Apps Crashing

Fix Word and Outlook Crashing When Opening or Sending Specific Files

Maira Mehtab Sep 24, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user experiences unexpected application crashes in Microsoft Word and Outlook when trying to open or send particular documents that contain special characters or German-language text.

Product: Microsoft Word and Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening specific documents in Word or sending specific file attachments via Outlook.
Observed behavior: The Office applications close unexpectedly without error messages, even though the same files function perfectly on a different computer.

Before you start

Ensure your Windows operating system and Microsoft Office applications are fully updated, as outdated software can occasionally cause rendering issues with special characters or foreign language packs.

Solution 1

Start Word and Outlook in Safe Mode

Running Office applications in Safe Mode helps determine if conflicting third-party add-ins are causing the unexpected crashes.

Safe Mode starts the application with a minimal set of features and disables all active add-ins. This is a crucial diagnostic step to isolate the root cause of the crashes.

Open the Run Dialog

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.

Launch in Safe Mode

Type 'winword /safe' to launch Word, or 'outlook /safe' to launch Outlook, and then press Enter.

Disable Problematic Add-ins

If the application opens the specific file without closing, navigate to File > Options > Add-ins. Select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage dropdown and click 'Go'. Uncheck the add-ins one by one to identify which one is causing the crash.

Solution 2Recommended

Repair Your Microsoft Office Installation

If Safe Mode does not resolve the issue, repairing the Office suite can replace corrupted application files that fail to process special characters.

Solution 3

Reset Office Registry Settings

Resetting the specific application registry configurations can clear out corrupted settings that prevent foreign language files from loading properly.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Open Documents with Special Characters Safely

If Microsoft Office continues to crash when handling files with foreign languages or special characters, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that processes complex document formatting seamlessly.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Open Your Files safely: Launch WPS Writer and open your problematic files directly. WPS will safely process the special characters and foreign languages.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and other standard Office formats.Excellent multi-language rendering ensuring files with special characters open safely without crashing.Lightweight software architecture that provides stable and fast performance on almost any computer.Familiar, intuitive user interface requiring zero learning curve for users migrating from Microsoft Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Word and Outlook crash only when opening specific files?

This behavior typically occurs due to corrupted document elements, incompatible third-party add-ins struggling to scan the specific file contents, or localized errors when rendering particular fonts, foreign language text, or special characters.

Does performing an Online Repair delete my Outlook emails or Word documents?

No. Repairing Microsoft Office only replaces or fixes the core application files. Your personal documents, downloaded emails, contacts, and account configurations will remain completely intact.

What is a Windows Clean Boot and how does it help?

A clean boot starts your Windows system with a minimal set of essential drivers and startup programs. This diagnostic method helps determine whether a background program, antivirus, or third-party service is conflicting with Word or Outlook.

Can incorrect system locale settings cause Office apps to close?

Yes. If a document relies on foreign language characters and your system locale or installed language packs do not match—or if they are corrupted—the application may fail to process the text rendering and shut down unexpectedly to protect memory.

Office App Problems