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Office Apps Crashing

How to Fix the 'Sorry, We Ran Into a Problem' Error in Word

Khadija KhanKhadija Khan Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is repeatedly receiving an error message in Microsoft Word, which constantly interrupts workflow and renders the application unusable.

How to Fix the 'Sorry, We Ran Into a Problem' Error in Microsoft Word
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 you start

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.

Solution 1Recommended

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.

1
Open Windows Settings

Click the Start menu and select the Settings gear icon, or press the Windows key + I on your keyboard.

2
Navigate to Installed Apps

Click on 'Apps' from the settings menu, then select 'Apps & features' or 'Installed apps' depending on your Windows version.

3
Modify Microsoft Office

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'.

4
Run Quick Repair

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.

Fast Resolution: Quick Repair usually takes less than 5 minutes and works for the majority of minor app crashes.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

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. 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installation package.
  2. 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software on your Windows PC.
  3. 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Microsoft Word documents to continue working without interruptions.
Free and lightweight Microsoft Office alternativeFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel, and PowerPoint formatsStable performance that minimizes frustrating application crashesFamiliar tabbed interface for a seamless migration experience
microsoft office alternative - wps office

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.