Macros stopped working in Word

Question

I have been using the same macros for years and they suddenly stopped working this morning. I tried to run or delete them but I only have this message that the Macros are not available. I looked many videos only that says to enable macros in the Trusted Document Settings, but nothing work. Please help!

Answer 1

Hello Mélissa R,

I'm Shalom and I'd happily help you with your question. In this forum, we are Microsoft consumers just like yourself.

Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

1. Check Macro Security Settings:

• Go to the "File" tab in Microsoft Word.
• Click on "Options" at the bottom of the left sidebar.
• In the Word Options dialog box, select "Trust Center" on the left.
• Click on the "Trust Center Settings" button.
• In the Trust Center, select "Macro Settings" on the left.
• Ensure that "Disable all macros with notification" is not selected. You may choose "Enable all macros" or "Enable all macros (not recommended; potentially dangerous code can run)."
• Also, make sure that "Trust access to the VBA project object model" is checked.

2. Digital Signatures: If your macros are digitally signed, ensure that the certificate used for signing is still valid. If the certificate has expired, you may need to renew it.
3. Trust Center Settings:

• Go back to the Trust Center Settings dialog mentioned earlier.
• Click on "Trusted Locations" on the left.
• Ensure that the folder where your macros are stored is listed as a trusted location. If not, you can add it.

4. File Format: Check if the document you are working with is in a format that supports macros (e.g., .docm for Word documents with macros).
5. Check for Updates: Ensure that Microsoft Word is up to date. Sometimes, updating the software can resolve compatibility issues.
6. Try in a New Document: Create a new, blank Word document and try running your macros in it. This can help determine if the issue is specific to one document.

Best Regards, Shalom

Answer 2

Are these recorded macros or ones that were edited in the vba editor, or both?

The default storage location for recorded macros is the Normal template.

Can you tell us which version of Word you are using?

File > Account > About Word

Can you tell us the exact error message you are receiving?

Answer 3

Hi Shalom,

Thank you so much for getting back to me! I tried your six recommendations but I still don't see my macros...

1. The step number one seems to be what everyone suggest on YouTube but it doesn't work on my end.
2. My macros were easily made by myself and aren't signatures. This is why I tried to delete them to create them again, but Word doesn't let me delete them or create new ones. My page is just blank.
3. My folder is located on my PC where all my other documents are. I still checked the box ''Allows Trusted Locations on my network'' to make sure, then tried to change my folder to another place on my PC to see but nothing.
4. My file format was .doc, which I changed for .docm but still no macros.
5. I have the version 2310 on my computer. I updated this morning but still nothing.
6. Even a new or old document, I don't see my macros.

I don't know if the information above can help you see deeper in my problem. I don't know what I can do else. I am not good with computer.

They were working just fine few days ago and I was using them on the same document, same Word version, and have been using them for years.

Your help is appreciated.

Thank you,

Melissa

Answer 4

Hi Charles,

I am not sure what you mean by ''Are these recorded macros or ones that were edited in the vba editor, or both?'' Could you tell me where to find this information please?

My macros were in ''All active templates and documents'' and I changed it for ''Macros in >Normal template'' but still can't see them.

I am using the version 2310 and I did an update this morning to see if that was the issue.

The error message I have is when I try to create a new one, which is this message below:

Your help is appreciated.

Thank you,

Melissa

Answer 5

Hi Charles,

I am not sure what you mean by ''Are these recorded macros or ones that were edited in the vba editor, or both?'' Could you tell me where to find this information please?

My macros were in ''All active templates and documents'' and I changed it for ''Macros in >Normal template'' but still can't see them.

I am using the version 2310 and I did an update this morning to see if that was the issue.

The error message I have is when I try to create a new one, which is this message below: ***

Your help is appreciated.

Thank you,

Melissa

What you are showing is the dialog when recording a macro.

Are you on a corporate network or is this your own computer?

The Normal template is the default storage location for recorded macros. That is where you are attempting to save the macro.

Here is some background. Organizing your macros by Beth Melton, Word MVP

Hi Shalom,

Thank you so much for getting back to me! I tried your six recommendations but I still don't see my macros...

1. The step number one seems to be what everyone suggest on YouTube but it doesn't work on my end.
2. My macros were easily made by myself and aren't signatures. This is why I tried to delete them to create them again, but Word doesn't let me delete them or create new ones. My page is just blank.
3. My folder is located on my PC where all my other documents are. I still checked the box ''Allows Trusted Locations on my network'' to make sure, then tried to change my folder to another place on my PC to see but nothing.
4. My file format was .doc, which I changed for .docm but still no macros.
5. I have the version 2310 on my computer. I updated this morning but still nothing.
6. Even a new or old document, I don't see my macros.

I don't know if the information above can help you see deeper in my problem. I don't know what I can do else. I am not good with computer.

They were working just fine few days ago and I was using them on the same document, same Word version, and have been using them for years.

Your help is appreciated.

Thank you,

Melissa

Your file format was .doc? This does not make sense to me.

The Normal template is a .dotm file.

What happens if you press Alt+F11? (Fn+Alt+F11 on many computers)

What happens if you start Word in safe mode?

Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC - Microsoft Office