Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Office COM Add-Ins Not Loading in Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to resolve an issue where COM add-ins in Microsoft Word fail to load properly or generate runtime errors on specific Microsoft 365 update channels.

Product: Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to use and activate COM add-ins on Microsoft 365 Monthly Enterprise Channel builds.
Observed behavior: The add-ins show as 'Not Loaded', fail to activate in the COM Add-ins dialog, or generate a runtime error, even if they functioned correctly on a different Office channel.

Before you start

Verify whether your Microsoft Office installation is 32-bit or 64-bit and note your exact Microsoft 365 build number, as this information is essential when requesting add-in updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Compatibility and Contact the Add-in Publisher

The most common cause of this error is an incompatibility between the add-in version and the specific Microsoft 365 Monthly Enterprise Channel build.

Office channels receive updates at different frequencies. An add-in that works perfectly on the Current Channel might encounter runtime errors on the Monthly Enterprise Channel if the publisher hasn't updated it to support the latter's specific code base.

Check Office Bitness and Build

Open Microsoft Word, click on 'File', and select 'Account'. Click on 'About Word' to confirm whether you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Office and note the build number.

Verify Add-in Support

Visit the add-in publisher's official website or documentation to ensure their software explicitly supports your specific Office build and bitness.

Request an Update

Contact the add-in publisher's support team to report the runtime error and request a patched version compatible with the Monthly Enterprise Channel.

Solution 2

Test the Add-in with a New Windows User Profile

Corrupted Windows user profiles can sometimes block Word from loading COM add-ins correctly.

Solution 3

Open a Microsoft 365 Support Request

If downgrading Office does not resolve the issue and it affects all users globally, the tenant administrator needs to escalate the issue to Microsoft.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Stable and Seamless Document Experience

If Microsoft 365 update channels are causing add-in incompatibilities and disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Word without the complexity of channel-specific COM errors.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free, lightweight installer.
2. Install and Launch: Follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
3. Open Your Word Files: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files to seamlessly resume your work.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Lightweight installation with fast startup times and minimal system resource usage.Familiar user interface making it easy to migrate from Microsoft Office.Stable built-in PDF reader and editor tools without needing complex third-party COM add-ins.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do COM add-ins show as 'Not Loaded' in Word?

This typically happens due to compatibility issues between the add-in and your specific Microsoft Office update channel (such as the Monthly Enterprise Channel), incorrect Office bitness (32-bit vs 64-bit), or a corrupted Windows user profile.

Will downgrading Microsoft Office fix the COM add-in error?

Not necessarily. In many cases, downgrading Office and reinstalling the add-in does not resolve the problem, and the add-in may still refuse to activate in the COM Add-ins dialog. Contacting the publisher for an update is often more effective.

How do I access the COM Add-ins dialog in Word?

Open Microsoft Word, click on 'File', select 'Options', and then choose 'Add-ins' from the left sidebar. At the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' from the 'Manage' dropdown menu and click 'Go'.

How can I check my Office version and build number?

Open any Office application like Word, click on 'File', then select 'Account' (or 'Office Account'). Under the 'Product Information' section, you will see your version, build number, and update channel.

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