How to Fix Microsoft Office Apps Closing with an Error After Startup
Question details
Microsoft Office applications fail to launch and close immediately with an error stating the application cannot work correctly.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening any Microsoft Office application after resetting the computer or reinstalling Microsoft 365.
- Observed behavior
- Applications like Word and Excel crash and close instantly with a startup error, and standard uninstallation or software repair attempts do not resolve the issue.
Ensure your device is plugged into a power source and save any active background work, as you will need to run system-level repair commands that may require a computer restart.
Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM via Command Prompt
Use Windows' built-in system file repair tools to locate and fix corrupted OS files that are preventing Microsoft Office from launching correctly.
When a standard Office reinstallation does not work, the issue is often caused by corrupted Windows system files. Using the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools can repair the underlying operating system issues.
Click the Windows Start menu, type 'cmd' or 'Command Prompt' into the search bar, right-click the application, and select 'Run as administrator'.
In the Command Prompt window, type 'DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth' (without quotes) and press Enter. Wait for the process to reach 100%.
Once the DISM scan finishes, type 'sfc /scannow' and press Enter. Let the system scan for and repair corrupted files.
After the scan is complete and successful, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer before attempting to open Microsoft Office again.
Perform an Online Repair of Microsoft 365
Run an extensive online repair through Windows settings if system commands do not fully resolve the application crashes.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable, Crash-Free Experience
If Microsoft Office continues to crash on your device due to OS conflicts or hardware limitations, WPS Office is the perfect alternative. It is highly compatible, consumes fewer system resources, and runs smoothly even on devices with limited storage.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the lightweight installer file. The installation process is quick and does not require complex OS dependencies.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office files without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get Error 740 when trying to fix Microsoft Office with DISM?
Error 740 occurs because you are trying to run a critical system diagnostic command without administrative privileges. To fix this, search for 'Command Prompt' in the Windows start menu, right-click it, and specifically select 'Run as administrator' before executing the DISM or SFC commands.
What should I do if the SFC scan finds unrecoverable errors?
If the System File Checker states that it found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them, your Windows OS may have severe corruption or there may be an underlying hardware issue on your device. You may need to perform an in-place upgrade of Windows or use a recovery drive.
Can low storage space cause Microsoft Office apps to crash?
Yes. If your device has insufficient disk space, software updates may become corrupted during installation, and apps cannot create the temporary files necessary to launch. Ensure your device has at least 10GB of free space before installing or repairing Office suites.
