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How to troubleshoot problems that occur when you start or

use Word

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Summary
This article describes how to troubleshoot problems that may occur when you start or use Microsoft
Word. Use the following methods in the order in which they are presented. If you try one of these
methods and it does not help, go to the next method.

Resolution
Verify or install the latest updates
You might have to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates.
Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can frequently correct problems by
replacing outofdate files and fixing vulnerabilities. To install the latest Microsoft Office updates, see
Update Office and your computer with Microsoft Update.
For list of the latest Office updates, see Office Updates. If your issue is not resolved after you install the
latest Windows and Office updates, go to method 2.
It's a good idea to make sure that your computer has the latest updates installed for Windows. Updates
often fix software problems. Before you use any of the following methods, try first to install updates.
After you install the updates, restart your computer, and then start Word.

Troubleshoot problems that occur when you start Word

Important Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the

Important Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the
registry incorrectly. Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.

Method 1: Insert your document into another file

The final paragraph mark in a Word document contains information about the document. If the
document is damaged, you may be able to retrieve the text of the document if you can omit this final
paragraph mark.
To access a document but leave its final paragraph mark behind, follow these steps:
1. On the File menu, click New and then click Blank Document.
2. On the Insert tab, click Object in the Text group, and then click Text from File.
3. Select the file that you want to open and insert, and then click Insert.

Method 2: Start Word by using the /a switch

The /a switch is a troubleshooting tool that is used to determine where a problem may exist in Word.
The /a switch prevents addins and global templates from being loaded automatically. The /a switch also
locks the settings files to prevent it from being read or modified. To start Word by using the /a switch,
follow these steps:
1. Type Run in the Search box in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8 or in the Start 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 information about the /a switch, go to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
826857 Description of the "/a" startup switch in Word
If the problem does not occur when you start Word by using the /a switch, try the next method to
determine the source of the problem.

Method 3: Delete the Word Data registry subkey

Most of the frequently used options in Word are stored in the Word Data registry subkey. A common
troubleshooting step is to delete the Word Data registry subkey. When you restart Word, the program
rebuilds the Word Data registry key by using the default settings.
NoteWhen you delete the Word Data registry subkey, Word resets several options to their default
settings. For example, Word resets the "most recently used file" list on the File menu. Also, Word resets
many settings that you customize in the Options dialog box.
Important Follow the steps in this section carefully. Serious problems might occur if you modify the
registry incorrectly. Before you modify it, back up the registry for restoration in case problems occur.
To delete the Word Data registry subkey, follow these steps:
1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Type regedit in the Search box in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8 or in the Start

2. Type regedit in the Search box in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8 or in the Start
Search box on the Start menu in earlier versions of Windows, and then press Enter.
3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are using:
Word 2016
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Data
Word 2013
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word\Data
Word 2010
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Word\Data
Word 2007
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data
Word 2003
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Data
4. Click Data, and then click Export on the File menu.
5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
7. Exit Registry Editor.
8. Start Word.
If Word starts and works correctly, you have resolved the problem a damaged Word Data registry key.
You may now have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.
If the problem is not resolved, restore the original Word Data registry subkey, and then try the next
method.

Restore the original Word Data registry key

To restore the original Word Data registry subkey, follow these steps:
1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Doubleclick the Wddata.reg icon on the desktop.
3. Click Yes, and then click OK.
If restoring the Word Data registry subkey doesnt work, go to the next procedure.

Method 4: Delete the Word Options registry key

The Word Options registry key stores options that you can set in Word. These settings are divided into
default and optional groups. Default settings are created during the program setup. Optional settings
are not created during setup. You can change both the default and optional settings in Word.

are not created during setup. You can change both the default and optional settings in Word.
To delete the Word Options registry key, follow these steps:
1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Type regedit in the Search box in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8 or in the Start
Search box on the Start menu in earlier versions of Windows, and then press Enter.
3. Locate the following registry subkey, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:
Word 2016
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Options
Word 2013
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word\Options
Word 2010
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Word\Options
Word 2007
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Options
Word 2003
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options

4. Click Options, and then click Export on the File menu.

5. Name the file Wddata.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
7. Exit Registry Editor.
8. Start Word.
If Word starts and works correctly, you have resolved the problem a damaged Word Options registry
key. You may now have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.
If the problem is not resolved, restore the original Word Options registry key, and then try the next
method.

To restore the original Word Options registry key

To restore the original Word Options registry key, follow these steps:
1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Doubleclick the Wdoptn.reg icon on the desktop.
3. Click Yes, and then click OK.

Method 5: Replace the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm global template file

You can prevent formatting, AutoText, and macros that are stored in the global template file from

You can prevent formatting, AutoText, and macros that are stored in the global template file from
affecting the behavior of Word and any documents that you open. To do this, replace the global
template file.
Important This method includes renaming the global template file so that Word does not find it as
expected when it restarts. This forces Word to recreate the global template file. By doing this, you save
the original file in case you have to restore it. Be aware that when you rename the global template file,
several settings are reset to their defaults, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and
AutoText entries. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you save the global template file and do not
delete it.
Additional note In certain situations, you may have more than one global template file. For example, this
occurs if multiple versions of Word are running on the same computer, or if several workstation
installations exist on the same computer. In these situations, make sure that you 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 menu in earlier versions of Windows, and then press Enter.
3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Word
that you are running, and then press Enter:
Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, or Word 2007

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

Word 2003

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

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

5. Start Word.
If Word starts correctly, you have resolved the problem. In this case, the problem is a damaged global
template file. Now, you may have to change several settings to restore your favorite options.
Note The old global template file may contain customizations that can't be easily recreated. These
customizations may include styles, macros, and AutoText entries. In this case, you may be able to copy
the customizations from the old global template file to the new global template file by using the
Organizer. For more information about how to use the Organizer to copy macros and styles, press F1 in

Organizer. For more information about how to use the Organizer to copy macros and styles, press F1 in
Word to open Microsoft Word Help, type rename macros in the Search box, and then click Search to
view the topic.
If the problem is not resolved, restore the original global template file, and then go to the next section.

Restore the original global template file

To restore the original 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 menu in earlier versions of Windows, and then press Enter.
3. At the command prompt, type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Word
that you are running, and then press Enter:
Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010 and Word 2007

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

Word 2003

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

4. Type exit, and then press Enter.

5. Start Word.

Method 6: Disable the Startup folder addins

When you start Word, Word automatically loads templates and addins that are located in the Startup
folders. Conflicts or problems that affect an addin can cause problems in Word. To determine whether
an item in a Startup folder is causing the problem, temporarily disable the registry setting that points to
these addins.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Start Windows Explorer. Type windows ex in the Search box in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or

2. Start Windows Explorer. Type windows ex in the Search box in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or
Windows 8 or in the Start Search box on the Start menu in earlier versions of Windows, and
then 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 press Enter:
Word 2016
64bit C2R installation:
%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Startup\
32bit C2R installation:
%programfiles% x86\Microsoft Office\root\office16\Startup\
64bit MSI installation:
%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\office16\Startup\
32bit MSI installation:
%programfiles% x86\Microsoft Office\office16\Startup\
Word 2013
64bit C2R installation:
%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\root\office15\Startup\
32bit C2R installation:
%programfiles% x86\Microsoft Office\root\office15\Startup\
64bit MSI installation:
%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\
32bit MSI installation:
%programfiles% x86\Microsoft Office\office15\Startup\
Word 2010
%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\Office14\Startup\
Word 2007
%programfiles%\Microsoft Office\Office12\Startup\
Word 2003
%programfiles%\Microsoft\Office\Office11\Startup\
4. Rightclick one of the files that is contained in the folder, and then click Rename.
5. After the file name, type .old, and then press Enter.
ImportantMake a note of the original file name so that you can restore the file, if it is necessary.
6. Start Word.

6. Start Word.
7. If you can no longer reproduce the problem, you have found the specific addin that causes the
problem. If you must have the features that the addin provides, contact the vendor of the addin
for an update.
If the problem is not resolved, rename the addin by using its original name, and then repeat steps
3 through 6 for each file in the Startup folder.
8. If you can still reproduce the problem, type the following path in the address bar of Windows
Explorer, and then click OK.
For Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\Startup
For Windows XP
%userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup
9. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each file in this Startup folder.
If the problem is not resolved after you disable the Startup folder addins, go to the next method.

Method 7: Delete the COM addins registry keys

You can install COM addins in any location. Programs that interact with Word install COM addins. To
determine whether a COM addin is causing the problem, temporarily disable the COM addins by
deleting the registry keys for the COM addins.
To delete the COM addins registry keys, follow these steps:
1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Type regedit in the Search box in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8 or in the Start
Search box on the Start menu in earlier versions of Windows, and then press Enter.
3. Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins
4. Click Addins, and then click Export on the File menu.
5. Name the file WdaddinHKCU.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
7. Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins
8. Click Addins, and then on the File menu, click Export.
9. Name the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.

9. Name the file WdaddinHKLM.reg, and then save the file to the desktop.
10. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
11. Exit Registry Editor.
12. Start Word.
If the problem is resolved, you have determined that a COM addin program is causing the problem.
Next, you must determine which COM addin program is causing the problem.

Determine which COM addin program is causing the problem

To determine which COM addin program is causing the problem, follow these steps:
1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Doubleclick the Wdaddin.reg icon on your desktop.
3. Click Yes, and then click OK.
4. Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:

Word 2016, Word 2013, or Word 2010

a. On the File menu, click Options.
b. Click AddIns.
c. In the Manage list, click COM AddIns, and then click Go.
Note If an addin is listed in the COM AddIns dialog box, clear the addin check box. If
more than one addin is listed, clear only one addin check box at a time. This procedure
helps determine which addin is causing the problem.
d. Click OK to close the COM AddIns dialog box.
e. On the File menu, click Exit.

Word 2007
a. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Word options.
b. Click Addins.
c. In the Manage list, click COM Addins, and then click Go.
If an addin is listed in the COM AddIns dialog box, click to clear the addin check box. If
more than one addin is listed, click to clear only one addin check box at a time. This
procedure helps determine which addin is causing the problem.
d. Click OK to close the COM AddIns dialog box.

d. Click OK to close the COM AddIns dialog box.

e. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Exit Word.
f. On the File menu, click Exit.
5. Start Word.
If the problem is resolved when you start Word, you have determined which COM addin is causing the
problem. If you must have the features that the addin provides, you must determine which addin
includes those features so that you can contact the vendor for an update.
If the problem is not resolved when you start Word, repeat steps4 and5 for each COM addin that's
listed until you determine which addin is causing the problem.
To restore the COM addins, repeat step 4,but select the check box for each COM addin that you want
to restore.

Method 8: Change the default printer

To change the default printer, follow these steps:
1. Exit all Office programs.
2. Typeregeditin theSearchbox in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8 or in theStart
Searchbox on theStartmenu in earlier versions of Windows, and then press Enter Devices and
Printers.
3. Rightclick Microsoft XPS Document Writer, and then click Set as default printer.
4. Start Word.
If the problem is resolved after you start Word, you have determined that the printer is causing the
problem. If this is the case,contact the vendor to see whether there is an update for the printer driver.

Microsoft Support options

If you can't resolve this problem, you can use Microsoft Support to search the Microsoft Knowledge Base
and other technical resources for answers. You can also customize the site to control your search. To
start your search, go to the Microsoft Support website.

Additional resources
If you experience specific issues when you use Word, go to the following websites to search for specific
information about your program version:
Microsoft Word Product Solution Center: Word

Properties
Article ID: 921541 Last Review: 08/05/2016 06:39:00 Revision: 23.0
Applies to
Microsoft Office Word 2003, Microsoft Office Word 2007, Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Word 2013,
Windows 8.1
Keywords:
kbexpertisebeginner kbregistry kbaddin kbhowtomaster kbfixme kbmsifixme KB921541

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