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How to Fix Microsoft Word Has Encountered an Error and Must Be Closed
Question details
The user is experiencing a persistent error where Microsoft Word states it cannot work correctly and is forced to close.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Launching or attempting to use Microsoft Word for document processing.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word displays a critical error message preventing normal operation and forcing the application to close immediately.
Ensure you have saved your work in any other open Microsoft Office applications, as the repair process may require closing all running Office programs.
Run a Quick Repair on Microsoft Office
Use the built-in Windows Apps and Features tool to safely repair corrupted Office installation files without needing an internet connection.
Restart the computer and allow Windows to load fully to ensure no background Office processes are stuck or interfering.
Open the Windows Start menu, type 'Apps and Features', and press Enter to launch the system application settings.
Scroll through the list of installed applications to find your version of Microsoft Office, select it, and click on 'Modify'.
Choose the 'Quick Repair' option from the prompt and click 'Repair'. Follow the on-screen instructions until the process completes.
Launch Word from its Start menu or taskbar shortcut and try opening a recent document to verify if the crashing issue is resolved.
Perform an Online Repair
If Quick Repair does not resolve the issue, Online Repair performs a more comprehensive fix by downloading fresh files from Microsoft.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable, Crash-Free Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to crash or display unresolvable errors, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly stable, lightweight, and free Office suite that completely eliminates the frustration of unexpected software crashes while letting you continue your work seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word keep saying it has encountered an error and must close?
This error is typically caused by corrupted Office installation files, problematic third-party add-ins, or conflicts with recent system updates that interfere with Word's core processes.
Will running a repair on Microsoft Office delete my personal files?
No. Running a Quick Repair or Online Repair only resets and fixes the application's program files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and other user data will remain completely untouched.
What should I do if both Quick and Online repairs fail?
If repairing does not fix the error, you may need to completely uninstall Microsoft Office using the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool, then reinstall a fresh copy from your Microsoft account.
