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How to Fix Microsoft Word 'Has Encountered a Problem' Error
Question details
The user needs to resolve an error message stating that Microsoft Word has encountered a problem and needs to close.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening or actively working on a document when Microsoft Word unexpectedly stops functioning.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word displays a crash prompt stating that it has encountered a problem, must close, and offers an option to repair the application.
Ensure you have saved all open documents in other Office applications like Excel or PowerPoint, and verify that your Windows operating system is fully up to date.
Run an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
Use the built-in Windows repair tool to fix corrupted Microsoft Office installation files that are causing Word to crash.
Running an Online Repair is the most comprehensive way to fix persistent crashing issues in Microsoft Office. This process checks and replaces corrupted or missing program files.
Click the Start menu and select Settings, then navigate to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps and Features in older Windows versions).
Scroll down to find your Microsoft Office product in the list, click the three-dot menu (or right-click), and select Modify.
Choose the Online Repair option from the prompt, click Repair, and wait for the process to finish. Restart your computer once completed.
Start Microsoft Word in Safe Mode
Launch Word without any third-party add-ins or custom templates to determine if an extension is causing the error.
Install the Latest Word Updates
Check for and install software updates to patch known bugs that might trigger the crash.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable, Crash-Free Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to crash and disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly stable alternative that offers a familiar interface so you can keep working without interruption.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button to get the free installer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
- 3. Open Your Word Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly without losing any formatting or data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Word keep saying it encountered a problem?
This error is typically caused by corrupted Office installation files, outdated software versions, conflicting third-party COM add-ins, or an overloaded system cache.
Will repairing Microsoft Office delete my personal files?
No, running a Quick Repair or an Online Repair only fixes the system and application files. Your saved Word documents, templates, and personal data remain completely unaffected.
How do I disable add-ins if Word works fine in Safe Mode?
While in Safe Mode, navigate to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage drop-down list and click Go. Uncheck all the listed add-ins to disable them, then restart Word normally.
