Office Apps Crashing

How to Fix Microsoft Word Crashing When Running Grammar Check

Maira Mehtab Oct 15, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user experiences software crashes or freezes specifically when launching the Editor or running a grammar check in Microsoft Word, even though standard spell checking remains functional.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Crashing During Editor or Grammar Check

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing and correcting a text document using the built-in Microsoft Word Editor or grammar checking tool.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word stops responding, closes unexpectedly, and then automatically reopens a recovered version of the document when the grammar check is initiated.

Before you start

Save all your open documents and close any unnecessary background applications to ensure no data is lost during the troubleshooting and repair process.

Solution 1Recommended

Update and Repair Microsoft Office

Running the built-in Office repair tool can fix corrupted application files or missing updates that are causing the Editor and grammar checker to crash.

Microsoft frequently releases updates to patch known bugs. If an update does not resolve the crash, an Online Repair can comprehensively fix underlying corruption in the Office installation.

Update Office

Open Microsoft Word, navigate to File > Account > Update Options, and click 'Update Now'. Allow the process to finish and restart Word.

Run Online Repair

If the issue persists, press the Windows key, type 'Control Panel', and press Enter. Go to 'Programs and Features', right-click on your Microsoft Office installation, select 'Change', and choose 'Online Repair'. Follow the on-screen prompts.

Internet Connection Required: An Online Repair requires a stable internet connection as it will redownload and reinstall core Office components.

Solution 2

Run Word in Safe Mode to Test Add-ins

Third-party add-ins might interfere with Word's built-in Editor. Booting in Safe Mode helps identify if an add-in is the root cause.

Solution 3

Perform a Windows Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs to determine if a background application is conflicting with Microsoft Word.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Stable and Seamless Writing Experience

If Microsoft Word continues to crash during grammar checks or requires time-consuming repairs, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with highly stable built-in proofing tools that work seamlessly without heavy system resource demands.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free version for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the brief installation instructions to set up the software.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents. You can immediately begin editing and checking your text without worrying about crashes.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc, .txt).Stable built-in spell check and professional document formatting tools.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly without crashing, even on older systems.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does spell check work but grammar check crashes Word?

Spell checking and grammar checking utilize different background modules within Microsoft Office. The advanced Editor or grammar module might be corrupted, conflicting with a specific third-party add-in, or missing critical updates, while the basic spell check module remains intact and functional.

Will running an Online Repair delete my customized Word settings?

A Quick Repair usually preserves your custom settings. However, an Online Repair effectively reinstalls the Office suite, which might reset some of your customized application preferences. Rest assured, your personal documents and files will not be deleted or affected.

How do I know exactly which add-in is causing Word to crash?

First, verify that Word does not crash in Safe Mode. Then, disable all COM Add-ins via File > Options > Add-ins. To isolate the specific culprit, enable the add-ins one by one—restarting Word and testing the grammar check each time—until the application crashes again.

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