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How to Repair Microsoft Word and Outlook When They Close with an Error
Question details
The user is experiencing repeated errors causing Microsoft Word and Outlook to close unexpectedly.
- Product
- Microsoft Word and Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Trying to use Word or Outlook for daily tasks but encountering a critical error that forces the applications to shut down.
- Observed behavior
- An error message appears stating an issue is preventing the application from working correctly, immediately followed by the app closing on its own.
Ensure all your open documents and emails are saved, and close any running Microsoft Office applications to prevent data loss during the repair process.
Run an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
Using the built-in Windows repair tool can fix damaged Office program files that cause Word and Outlook to crash.
Windows includes a built-in modification tool for Microsoft Office that can scan and replace missing or corrupted program files. The 'Online Repair' option is highly effective as it downloads completely fresh files from Microsoft's servers to restore normal operation.
Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Windows Settings, then click on 'Apps' or 'Apps & features'.
Scroll down the list of installed applications until you find your specific version of Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365.
Click on the Microsoft Office app entry and select the 'Modify' button. If prompted by User Account Control to allow changes, click 'Yes'.
In the repair dialog box, select 'Online Repair' (instead of Quick Repair) and click the 'Repair' button. Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your computer once the process is complete.
Completely Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Office
If the Online Repair does not resolve the crashing issue, a clean removal and reinstallation using Microsoft's official support tool is necessary.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable, Crash-Free Experience
If Microsoft Office continues to crash or you want to avoid lengthy software reinstalls, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, completely free alternative that allows you to open, edit, and save Word documents without the heavy system requirements that often cause performance issues.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the quick setup wizard.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer to seamlessly open your existing Word documents and continue your work without crashing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Microsoft Word and Outlook keep closing automatically?
This usually happens due to corrupted program files, conflicting third-party add-ins, or outdated software versions. Running an Online Repair often replaces the corrupted files and resolves the problem.
What is the difference between Quick Repair and Online Repair?
Quick Repair runs faster and tries to fix issues without an internet connection by replacing missing or corrupted files locally. Online Repair takes longer but performs a complete reinstallation of Office files by downloading clean versions directly from Microsoft servers.
Will repairing Office delete my documents or Outlook emails?
No, running a Microsoft Office repair only modifies and replaces the core application program files. Your saved Word documents, Outlook data files (.pst or .ost), and personal account settings will remain fully intact.
Can third-party add-ins cause Outlook to crash?
Yes, outdated or incompatible COM add-ins are a very common cause of Outlook crashes. You can test this by launching Outlook in Safe Mode (hold the Ctrl key while clicking the application icon) to see if it remains stable without add-ins.
