How to Fix the 'Sorry, We Ran Into a Problem' Error in Word
Question details
The user is repeatedly receiving an error message in Microsoft Word, which constantly interrupts workflow and renders the application unusable.

- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Working on documents in Microsoft Word while facing constant software interruptions due to an unhandled exception or crash.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word displays the message “Sorry, we ran into a problem” approximately every 15 seconds.
Before initiating an Office repair, save all your open documents in other Office applications and ensure you have a stable internet connection if you plan to use the Online Repair tool.
Perform an Office Quick Repair
Quick Repair is the fastest method to resolve corrupted Office files and common application errors without requiring an internet connection.
The Quick Repair tool scans your Microsoft Office installation for missing or corrupted files and replaces them quickly. It is highly effective for basic application crashes.
Click the Start menu and select the Settings gear icon, or press the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
Click on 'Apps' from the settings menu, then select 'Apps & features' or 'Installed apps' depending on your Windows version.
Scroll down to find your Microsoft Office installation (e.g., Microsoft 365 or Office 2019). Click the three dots next to it (or click the app directly) and select 'Modify'.
In the pop-up window, choose the 'Quick Repair' option and click 'Repair'. Follow the on-screen prompts and wait for the process to finish before reopening Word.
Run an Online Repair for Office
If Quick Repair does not resolve the persistent error, Online Repair will perform a complete reinstallation of Office components to fix deeper corruption.
Switch to WPS Office for a Crash-Free Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to crash or display errors despite repairing, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly stable, lightweight, and completely free environment to edit all your documents without the frustration of frequent app errors.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software on your Windows PC.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Microsoft Word documents to continue working without interruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions
Will running an Office repair delete my Word documents?
No, repairing Microsoft Office using either Quick Repair or Online Repair only resets or reinstalls the application files. Your personal documents, templates, and files are completely safe and will not be deleted.
Why is the Online Repair option missing from my settings?
The Online Repair option may not be available if you are using a volume-licensed version of Office (like Office Professional Plus) because these installations are typically deployed across enterprises and are not linked to a standard Microsoft account.
What should I do if the error continues after trying both repair options?
If neither repair option works, note down your exact Office version, Windows OS build, and check if the error occurs on all documents or just a specific one. You may need to completely uninstall Office using the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool, or contact IT support with these details.




