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Word (not responding)

JCFAM EMPLOYEE 5 Reputation points
2025-12-06T03:05:02.3033333+00:00

Hi,

Whenever I open certain word files on my laptop, it always freezes and says "word (not responding)"

I hope that someone would help me fix this problem.

Thank you

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows
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  1. AlexDN 11,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-12-06T06:49:58.2166667+00:00

    Dear @JCFAM EMPLOYEE,

    Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum. I understand you’re experiencing an issue where Microsoft Word becomes unresponsive and shows “Not Responding” when opening certain files.

    To better assistance, could you please confirm following information:

    • Does this happen with all Word documents or only specific ones?
    • What version of Microsoft 365 and Windows are you using?
    • Have you recently installed any add-ins or third-party tools for Word?
    • Approximately how large are the affected documents, and do they contain images or complex formatting?
    • Does Word work normally when opened in Safe Mode (using winword /safe)?

    In the meantime, I recommend some steps below:

    1/ Open Word in Safe Mode

    Press Windows + R > run dialog box by typing: winword /safe

    If Word works fine in Safe Mode, the issue is likely caused by an add-in or customization.

    2/ Disable Add-ins

    In Word, go to File > Options > Add-ins.

    At the bottom, next to Manage, select COM Add-ins and click Go.

    Uncheck all add-ins in the list and click OK.

    Restart Word normally.

    If Word opens without freezing, re-enable add-ins one by one to identify the problematic one.

    3/ Repair the Document

    Open Word and click File > Open > Browse.

    Select the problematic file.

    Click the arrow next to Open and choose Open and Repair.

    This attempts to fix corruption or formatting issues in the document.

    4/ Repair Office Installation

    On your PC, go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.

    Find Microsoft 365 in the list and click Modify.

    Choose Quick Repair for a fast fix or Online Repair for a deeper repair, follow the on-screen instructions.

    Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

    I truly appreciate your patience and understanding. If you have any further questions or need further clarification, please feel free to reach out. I'm looking forward to hearing from you. 

    Thank you for your cooperation.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2025-12-06T03:05:12.29+00:00

    If Microsoft Word is freezing and displaying "Word (not responding)" when you open certain files, it could be due to a few reasons. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

    1. Check for Document Damage: The document itself may be corrupted. Try opening other Word documents to see if they exhibit the same freezing behavior. If only specific documents cause the issue, they may be damaged. You can refer to the Microsoft support page for guidance on troubleshooting damaged documents in Word.
    2. Network Drive Issues: If your Word files are stored on a network drive, issues with that drive can cause Word to freeze. Disconnect any network drives that may be causing problems, especially if they are offline or inaccessible. This can be done by right-clicking on "My Computer" and selecting "Disconnect Network Drive."
    3. Software Conflicts: Sometimes, conflicts with other software or issues within the Office suite can cause Word to stop responding. Ensure that your Office applications are up to date and consider repairing the Office installation if problems persist.
    4. Try Safe Mode: You can start Word in Safe Mode to see if the problem persists. To do this, hold down the Ctrl key while starting Word. This can help identify if the issue is related to add-ins or extensions.
    5. Check for Updates: Ensure that your version of Microsoft Office is fully updated, as updates often include fixes for bugs and performance issues.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to explore further troubleshooting options or consider reaching out to Microsoft support for more assistance.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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