When Can I Use My Word Document Again

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Troubleshoot problems that occur when you start or employ Word

• Article
• 03/24/2022
• 17 minutes to read

• Applies to:

  Give-and-take for Microsoft 365, Give-and-take 2019, Discussion 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, Discussion 2007, Give-and-take 2003

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In this commodity

Quick resolution

Endeavour the following options to assist determine the root crusade of your trouble in Word. Select the image at the left or the option heading to see more detailed instructions well-nigh that option.

Important

Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Earlier yous modify information technology, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

	Insert your document into another file On the File menu, select New, and so select Blank Document. On the Insert tab, select Object in the Text grouping, and and then select Text from File. Select the file that you want to open and insert, and and then select Insert.
	Beginning Word by using the /a switch Blazon Run in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.i, or Windows 8) or in the Kickoff Search box on the Showtime menu (in before versions of Windows), then printing Enter. In the Run dialog box, type winword /a, and and so press Enter.
	Delete the Word Data registry subkey Go out all Office programs. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.one, or Windows eight) or in the Starting time Search box on the Start carte du jour (in earlier versions of Windows), and then printing Enter. Locate the following registry subkey, as advisable for the version of Word that you are using. Word version Registry Word 2016 or later HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Give-and-take\Data Give-and-take 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Function\15.0\Word\Information Word 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Role\14.0\Word\Data Word 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Role\12.0\Give-and-take\Data Word 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Data Select Information, and so select Export on the File menu. Name the file Wddata.reg, and then salve the file to the desktop. On the Edit carte, select Delete, and then select Yep. Exit Registry Editor. Start Word.
	Delete the Word Options registry key Exit all Function programs. Blazon regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows viii.1, or Windows 8) or in the Commencement Search box on the Start bill of fare (in earlier versions of Windows), and and then press Enter. Locate the post-obit registry subkey, as advisable for the version of Word that you are running. Word version Registry Word 2016 or later HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Options Word 2013 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xv.0\Word\Options Word 2010 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xiv.0\Word\Options Discussion 2007 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Give-and-take\Options Word 2003 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Give-and-take\Options Select Options, and then select Consign on the File carte. Name the file Wddata.reg, then relieve the file to the desktop. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and and then select Yes. Exit Registry Editor. Start Word.
	Replace the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm global template file Exit all Office programs. Blazon cmd in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows viii.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Offset menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and and then printing Enter. At the command prompt, blazon the following command, as advisable for the version of Give-and-take that you are running, and so printing Enter: Word 2007 or later on ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dotm OldNormal.dotm Word 2003 ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot OldNormal.dot At the control prompt, blazon get out, and then press Enter. Start Word.
	Disable the Startup binder add-ins Exit all Office programs. Start Windows Explorer. To practice this, blazon windows ex in the Search box (in Windows ten, Windows eight.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Starting time bill of fare (in before versions of Windows), then press Enter. Type the following command in the accost bar, as appropriate for the version of Give-and-take that you're running and its installation blazon, and so press Enter. Word version Installation blazon Path Discussion 2016 or later 64-bit C2R installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Startup\ 32-bit C2R installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Startup\ 64-bit MSI installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\office16\Startup| 32-fleck MSI installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Role\office16\Startup\ Word 2013 64-bit C2R installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Part\root\office15\Startup\ 32-bit C2R installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Function\root\office15\Startup\ 64-fleck MSI installation: %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\ 32-bit MSI installation: %programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\ Give-and-take 2010 %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\Office14\Startup\ Word 2007 %programfiles%\Microsoft Office\Office12\Startup\ Word 2003 %programfiles%\Microsoft\Office\Office11\Startup\ Right-click i of the files in the folder, and then select Rename. After the file name, type .old, and so press Enter. Of import Make a note of the original file name so that you tin can restore the file, if it is necessary. Start Give-and-take. If you tin no longer reproduce the problem, you take plant the specific add-in that causes the problem. If yous must have the features that the add together-in provides, contact the vendor of the add-in for an update. If the problem is non resolved, rename the add-in by using its original proper name, and then repeat steps 3 through vi for each file in the Startup folder. If you can still reproduce the problem, type the following path in the address bar of Windows Explorer, and so select OK. Windows 10, Windows viii.1, Windows eight, Windows 7, or Windows Vista %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\Startup Windows XP %userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup Repeat steps iii through 6 for each file in this Startup folder.
	Delete the COM add-ins registry keys Go out all Part programs. Blazon regedit in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows eight.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Get-go menu (in earlier versions of Windows), then printing Enter. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Role\Give-and-take\Addins Select Addins, and then select Export on the File carte. Name the file WdaddinHKCU.reg, and then save the file to the desktop. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and then select Aye. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Function\Word\Addins Select Addins, and and so on the File menu, select Export. Proper noun the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, and then save the file to the desktop. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and and so select Yeah. Leave Registry Editor. Start Word. If the problem is resolved, you lot have adamant that a COM add-in programme is causing the problem. Next, you lot must decide which COM add-in program is causing the problem.
	Change the default printer Get out all Function programs. Select the Showtime button and and so Settings. Go to Devices, and then select Printers & scanners. Correct-click Microsoft XPS Certificate Writer, and so select Prepare as default printer. Start Word.

Verify or install the latest updates

For list of the latest Role updates, see Office Updates. If your outcome is not resolved after you lot install the latest Windows and Office updates, go to Pick i.

Boosted resource

If y'all experience specific issues when yous use Word, get to the following website to search for more data about your program version:

Microsoft Office Support search: Word

Detailed view of the options

The following department provides more detailed descriptions of these options.

Option 1: Insert your certificate into another file

The terminal paragraph mark in a Word document contains information about the certificate. If the document is damaged, y'all may be able to recall the text of the document if you can omit this final paragraph marker.

To admission a document but leave its terminal paragraph marker backside, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, select New and and then select Blank Document.
2. On the Insert tab, select Object in the Text group, and then select Text from File.
3. Select the file that you lot want to open and insert, and then select Insert.

Option two: Start Word by using the /a switch

The /a ("administrative installation") switch is a troubleshooting tool that is used to decide where a problem may be in Discussion. The /a switch prevents add-ins and global templates from being loaded automatically. The /a switch also locks the settings files to foreclose it from being read or modified. To start Word past using the /a switch, follow these steps:

1. Type Run in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.one, or Windows 8) or in the Offset Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.
2. In the Run dialog box, type winword /a, and then press Enter.

For more data most the /a switch, see the post-obit Noesis Base article:

826857 "Description of the "/a" startup switch in Discussion."

If the problem does not occur when yous first Discussion by using the /a switch, endeavor the next option.

Choice 3: Delete the Word Information registry subkey

Nearly of the frequently used options in Give-and-take are stored in the Discussion Data registry subkey. A common troubleshooting step is to delete the Word Data registry subkey. When you restart Word, the plan rebuilds the Word Data registry subkey by using the default settings.

Note

When you delete the Word Information registry subkey, Word resets several options to their default settings. For instance, Word resets the "nearly recently used file" listing on the File menu. Too, Discussion resets many of the settings that you may accept customized in the Options dialog box.

Of import

Follow the steps in this section advisedly. Serious problems might occur if you lot alter the registry incorrectly. Before you change it, support the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

To delete the Word Data registry subkey, follow these steps:

1. Leave all Office programs.

2. Blazon regedit in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.ane, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start carte (in earlier versions of Windows), and and then press Enter.

3. Locate the following registry subkey, equally appropriate for the version of Word that you are using.

   Word version	Registry
   Word 2016 or later	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Data
   Discussion 2013	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xv.0\Word\Data
   Give-and-take 2010	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\xiv.0\Give-and-take\Data
   Discussion 2007	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Discussion\Data
   Word 2003	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Part\11.0\Discussion\Data

4. Select Data, and then select Export on the File menu.

5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and so salvage the file to the desktop.

6. On the Edit menu, select Delete, then select Yes.

7. Exit Registry Editor.

8. Start Word.

If Word starts and works correctly, you have resolved the problem (a damaged Discussion Data registry key). You may at present have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.

If the trouble is not resolved, restore the original Word Information registry subkey, then endeavor the adjacent choice.

Restore the original Discussion Data registry central

To restore the original Word Data registry subkey, follow these steps:

1. Go out all Role programs.
2. Double-click the Wddata.reg icon on the desktop.
3. Select Yes, and and then select OK.

If restoring the Word Data registry subkey doesn't work, go to the next option.

Option 4: Delete the Word Options registry cardinal

The Give-and-take Options registry cardinal stores options that y'all can ready in Word. These settings are divided into default and optional groups. Default settings are created during the plan setup. Optional settings are not created during setup. You lot can change both the default and optional settings in Word.

To delete the Discussion Options registry key, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Type regedit in the Search box (in Windows ten, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start menu (in earlier versions of Windows), so printing Enter.

3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running.

   Discussion version	Registry
   Word 2016 or subsequently	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\sixteen.0\Word\Options
   Word 2013	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Part\15.0\Word\Options
   Discussion 2010	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\fourteen.0\Word\Options
   Word 2007	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Discussion\Options
   Discussion 2003	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options

4. Select Options, and and then on the File menu select Export.

5. Name the file Wddata.reg, so salvage the file to the desktop.

6. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and and then select Yes.

7. Exit Registry Editor.

8. First Give-and-take.

If Word starts and works correctly, yous have resolved the trouble (a damaged Give-and-take Options registry cardinal). Yous may at present have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Give-and-take.

If the problem is not resolved, restore the original Word Options registry subkey, and so endeavour the next choice.

To restore the original Word Options registry subkey

To restore the original Word Options registry key, follow these steps:

1. Get out all Function programs.
2. Double-click the Wdoptn.reg icon on the desktop.
3. Select Yep, and so select OK.

Choice v: Supercede the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm global template file

You can forbid formatting, AutoText, and macros that are stored in the global template file from affecting the beliefs of Word and any documents that you open up. To practise this, replace the global template file.

Of import

This Choice includes renaming the global template file and so that Discussion does not notice it as expected when it restarts. This forces Discussion to re-create the global template file. By doing this, you salve the original file in instance you lot take to restore it. Be enlightened that when y'all rename the global template file, several settings are reset to their default values, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you relieve the global template file and do not delete it.

Additionally, in certain situations, you may have more than than one global template file. For case, this occurs if multiple versions of Word are running on the same computer, or if several workstation installations be on the same computer. In these situations, make sure that yous rename each global template file so that it clearly reflects the appropriate Word installation.

To rename the global template file, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Type cmd in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Start card (in earlier versions of Windows), and then press Enter.

3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as advisable for the version of Give-and-take that you are running, and then press Enter:

   Word 2007 or later

                     ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dotm OldNormal.dotm                                  

   Word 2003

                     ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot OldNormal.dot                                  

4. At the command prompt, type exit, and then press Enter.

5. Outset Word.

If Discussion starts correctly, you lot have resolved the problem (a damaged global template file). You may take to change several settings to restore your favorite options.

Note

The sometime global template file may contain customizations that tin't exist easily re-created. These customizations may include styles, macros, and AutoText entries. In this instance, you lot may exist able to copy the customizations from the old global template file to the new global template file past using the Organizer.

For more data almost how to use the Organizer to copy macros and styles, press F1 in Discussion to open Microsoft Word Aid, blazon rename macros in the Search box, and and then select Search to view the topic.

If the trouble is non resolved, restore the original global template file (see beneath), and then become to the side by side selection.

Restore the original global template file

To restore the original global template file, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Function programs.

2. Type cmd in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows eight.1, or Windows 8) or in the First Search box on the Beginning card (in earlier versions of Windows), and so press Enter.

3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as advisable for the version of Word that y'all are running, and so press Enter:

   Give-and-take 2007 or afterwards

                     ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\OldNormal.dotm Normal.dotm                                  

   Discussion 2003

                     ren %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\OldNormal.dot Normal.dot                                  

4. Type exit, and then press Enter.

5. Start Discussion.

Pick 6: Disable the Startup folder add together-ins

When you showtime Word, Word automatically loads templates and add-ins that are located in the Startup folders. Conflicts or problems that impact an add-in tin cause problems in Word. To determine whether an item in a Startup binder is causing the trouble, temporarily disable the registry setting that points to these add-ins.

To practice this, follow these steps:

1. Leave all Office programs.

2. Get-go Windows Explorer. Type windows ex in the Search box (in Windows 10, Windows 8.i, or Windows 8) or in the Start Search box on the Showtime card (in earlier versions of Windows), and and so press Enter.

3. Type the following command in the address bar, as appropriate for the version of Word that you're running and its installation type, and then printing Enter:

   Discussion version	Installation type	Path
   Word 2016 or later on	64-fleck C2R installation:	%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Startup\
   	32-bit C2R installation:	%programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Function\root\office16\Startup\
   	64-bit MSI installation:	%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\office16\Startup|
   	32-bit MSI installation:	%programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\office16\Startup\
   Word 2013	64-bit C2R installation:	%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\root\office15\Startup\
   	32-bit C2R installation:	%programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\office15\Startup\
   	64-fleck MSI installation:	%programfiles%\Microsoft Function\office15\Startup\
   	32-bit MSI installation:	%programfiles% (x86)\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\
   Word 2010		%programfiles%\Microsoft Part\Office14\Startup\
   Word 2007		%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\Office12\Startup\
   Word 2003		%programfiles%\Microsoft\Function\Office11\Startup\

4. Right-click i of the files in the folder, then select Rename.

5. After the file proper noun, blazon .onetime, and then press Enter.

   Important

   Make a note of the original file proper name so that you lot can restore the file, if it becomes necessary.

6. Commencement Word.

7. If you can no longer reproduce the problem, you have found the specific add-in that causes the trouble. If you must have the features that the add-in provides, contact the vendor of the add-in for an update.

   If the problem is non resolved, rename the add-in by using its original name, and so repeat steps 3 through half dozen for each file in the Startup binder.

8. If you tin can still reproduce the problem, type the following path in the address bar of Windows Explorer, then select OK.

   For Windows x, Windows 8.ane, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista

   %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Discussion\Startup

   For Windows XP

   %userprofile%\Application Information\Microsoft\Word\Startup

9. Repeat steps 3 through six for each file in this Startup folder.

If the problem is not resolved after yous disable the Startup folder add together-ins, go to the next selection.

You can install COM add together-ins to whatever location. Programs that collaborate with Word install COM add-ins. To decide whether a COM add together-in is causing the trouble, temporarily disable the COM add-ins by deleting the registry keys for the COM add together-ins.

To delete the COM add together-ins registry keys, follow these steps:

1. Get out all Office programs.
2. Blazon regedit in the Search box (in Windows x, Windows 8.1, or Windows eight) or in the Start Search box on the Showtime menu (in earlier versions of Windows), and and so press Enter.
3. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins
4. Select Addins, and then select File > Export.
5. Name the file WdaddinHKCU.reg, and and then relieve the file to the desktop.
6. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and then select Yeah.
7. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Role\Give-and-take\Addins
8. Select Addins, and select File > Export.
9. Name the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, and then relieve the file to the desktop.
10. On the Edit menu, select Delete, and then select Yes.
11. Exit Registry Editor.
12. Start Word.

If the problem is resolved, yous have adamant that a COM add together-in programme is causing the problem. Next, you must determine which COM add-in program is causing the trouble.

Determine which COM add-in programme is causing the problem

To determine the problematic COM add-in program, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Double-click the Wdaddin.reg icon on your desktop.

3. Select Yes, and and so select OK.

4. Use one of the post-obit procedures, equally appropriate for the version of Word that you are running.

   Word 2010 or later

   1. On the File card, select Options.
   2. Select Add-Ins.
   3. In the Manage listing, select COM Add together-Ins, and and then select Get.

   Note

   If an add-in is listed in the COM Add-Ins dialog box, clear the add-in bank check box. If more than i add-in is listed, articulate only 1 add-in check box at a time. This process helps you decide which add-in is causing the trouble.

   4. Select OK to close the COM Add-Ins dialog box.
   5. On the File carte du jour, select Exit.

   Word 2007

   1. Select the Microsoft Role push button, and so select Word options.

   2. Select Add together-ins.

   3. In the Manage list, select COM Add-ins, and then select Go.

      If an add-in is listed in the COM Add-Ins dialog box, clear the add together-in check box. If more than i add together-in is listed, clear merely 1 add-in cheque box at a time. This procedure helps you determine which add together-in is causing the trouble.

   4. select OK to close the COM Add-Ins dialog box.

   5. select the Microsoft Office Push button, and then select Exit Word.

   6. On the File menu, select Get out.

5. Start Discussion.

• If the problem is resolved when you start Word, you take determined which COM add together-in is causing the trouble. If you must have the features that the add-in provides, you must determine which add-in includes those features so that you tin can contact the vendor for an update.

• If the problem is not resolved when you start Discussion, echo steps 4 and v for each COM add-in that's listed until you make up one's mind which add together-in is causing the problem.

To restore the COM add-ins, repeat step 4, just select the check box for each COM add-in that yous want to restore.

Option 8: Change the default printer

To alter the default printer, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Part programs.
2. Select the First button then Settings.
3. Go to Devices, and then select Printers & scanners.
4. Right-click Microsoft XPS Document Writer, and then select Set equally default printer.
5. Starting time Word.

If the problem is resolved after yous outset Word, y'all have adamant that the printer is causing the problem. If this is the example, contact the vendor to run into whether there is an update for the printer driver.

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Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/word/issues-when-start-or-use-word