Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Word Page Color Not Saving in Normal.dotm Template

Steve K Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to permanently set a white page color in Microsoft Word because the changes saved to the Normal.dotm template do not persist upon opening new documents.

How to Fix Word Page Color Not Saving in Normal.dotm

Product: Microsoft Word 2019/2021
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Attempting to permanently change and save the default document page background color to white using Word's default Normal.dotm template.
Observed behavior: Word ignores the saved template settings and continues to display a light gray page background whenever a new document is opened.

Before you start

Before modifying template files or reinstalling Office, press Windows + R, type '%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates', and make a copy of your current Normal.dotm file to back up any custom macros or AutoText entries.

Solution 1Recommended

Reinstall or Repair Microsoft Office

Since template saving issues are often caused by corrupted installation files or registry glitches, performing a clean reinstall or online repair of Office is the most effective fix.

In some versions of Word 2019 and 2021, a known bug prevents the Normal.dotm template from correctly storing page color preferences. A fresh installation replaces the corrupted core files handling document themes.

Open Windows Settings

Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings, then navigate to Apps and click on Installed apps.

Locate Microsoft Office

Scroll down or use the search bar to find your Microsoft Office installation (e.g., Office 2019 or 2021). Click the three horizontal dots next to it and select 'Uninstall' (or 'Modify' if you want to attempt an Online Repair first).

Uninstall and Restart

Follow the on-screen prompts to completely remove the Office suite from your Windows 11 device. Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer to clear any lingering registry files.

Reinstall from Microsoft Account

Log into your Microsoft account on the official website, download the latest installer for your specific Office version, and run the setup. Once installed, open Word, change the page color to white, and save it to Normal.dotm.

Resolution Confirmed: Users have reported that reinstalling Office successfully restores the ability for Normal.dotm and document themes to store plain white page colors permanently.

Solution 2

Create and Use a Custom Document Template

If Normal.dotm refuses to save page colors due to version limitations, creating a dedicated custom template provides a reliable workaround.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Writing Experience

Tired of dealing with corrupted Normal.dotm templates and constantly reinstalling software to fix minor bugs? WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. It offers an intuitive interface and built-in features like Eye Protection mode that easily manage your page background colors without requiring complex template tweaks.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the lightweight installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
3. Open Your Documents: Double-click your existing Word documents or templates to open them instantly in WPS Writer without losing any formatting.

Seamlessly compatible with Microsoft Word formats, including .docx, .doc, and .dotm.Built-in Eye Protection and Dark Mode let you manage page background colors instantly with one click.Lightweight installation that takes up significantly less disk space and avoids complex registry errors.Free to use with a familiar tabbed user interface, ensuring effortless migration from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Normal.dotm file located in Windows 11?

By default, the Normal.dotm template file is located in a hidden AppData folder. You can access it directly by pressing Windows + R, typing '%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates' in the Run dialog, and pressing Enter.

Why does my Word document always open with a gray or dark background?

This usually happens if Office's Dark Mode is enabled or if a specific document theme with a gray page color was accidentally saved to your default template. You can toggle Dark Mode off by going to File > Account and changing the Office Theme, or by fixing the page color in your Normal.dotm file.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Office delete my documents?

No, uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Office only removes the application files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and files saved on your hard drive or OneDrive remain completely unaffected.

Can I reset the Normal.dotm template without reinstalling Word?

Yes. If you simply want to reset Word to its factory default settings, you can navigate to '%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates', close Word, and rename 'Normal.dotm' to 'Normal.old'. When you reopen Word, it will automatically generate a fresh, clean Normal.dotm file.

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