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How to Fix Word and Outlook Errors That Force Apps to Close
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Word and Outlook display an error message and are forced to close unexpectedly.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to open or work within Word or Outlook applications.
- Observed behavior
- The applications crash upon launching or during use, displaying an error message before forcing the program to close, which prevents access to documents and emails.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection, as an Online Repair requires downloading replacement files from Microsoft's servers. Save your work and close any currently open Office applications.
Perform an Office Online Repair via Windows Settings
Use the built-in Windows modification settings to run an Online Repair, which replaces damaged installation files and restores Word and Outlook functionality.
Sometimes the 'Repair Now' option presented in the application error dialog is not enough to resolve the underlying file corruption. Initiating a full Online Repair through the Windows Control Panel or Settings app is the most effective way to restore your Office suite.
Right-click the Windows Start menu button and select 'Apps and Features', or open the Control Panel and navigate to 'Programs and Features'.
Scroll through your list of installed programs, locate your Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 installation, click on it, and select 'Modify'.
If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes. For Click-to-Run installations, select 'Online Repair' and then click the 'Repair' button. For older MSI installations, select 'Repair' and click 'Continue'.
Follow the on-screen instructions while the repair tool downloads and replaces corrupted files. Restart your computer once the process is complete.
Experience Crash-Free Document Editing with WPS Office
If Microsoft Office continues to experience errors or frequent crashes, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative designed to provide a smooth and stable workflow without the heavy resource usage.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the lightweight installer for free.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing Word documents or Outlook attachments.
- 3. Edit Without Interruptions: Enjoy a stable editing environment and save your files back to standard Microsoft formats with zero compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will running an Office Online Repair delete my files or Outlook emails?
No, running an Office Repair only replaces corrupted application program files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and Outlook data files (.pst or .ost) will remain intact and unaffected.
What is the difference between Quick Repair and Online Repair?
Quick Repair runs quickly and attempts to fix issues using cached files already on your computer without needing an internet connection. Online Repair takes longer because it thoroughly uninstalls and downloads fresh copies of the Office files directly from Microsoft servers.
What should I do if the Online Repair does not fix the crashing issue?
If an Online Repair does not resolve the problem, you may need to completely uninstall Microsoft Office using the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool, restart your PC, and perform a clean reinstallation from your Microsoft account dashboard.
