Error in Microsoft Project

Question

Am getting an error in Microsoft Project, and asks to repair, but then closes.

Answer 1

Hi @Thompson, Mark F , 

Thank you for reaching out regarding the error in Microsoft Project.  

It appears the application is triggering a repair prompt and then closing unexpectedly, which is preventing you from maintaining a stable connection to your project files. 

To help isolate the root cause of this behavior, please provide the following details:

• A screenshot of the message, including any error codes or "Show Details" information.
• Does the error occur immediately upon launching the application or only when opening a specific project file?
• Have there been any recent system changes, such as Windows updates or new third-party software installations?
• Are there any active COM add-ins or third-party integrations currently running within Microsoft Project?

In the meantime, please try the following troubleshooting steps to see if they resolve the instability: 

1/ Firstly, try launching Project in Safe Mode. 

This can help check whether the problem is related to an add-in or startup customization. 

• Press Windows key + R, type winproj /safe (remmember the space), and press Enter. 
• If Project opens successfully in Safe Mode, the issue may be related to an add-in or another startup component. 

2/ Secondly, repair the Office or Project installation. 

• Make sure all Office apps are closed first. 
• Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features). 
• Locate Microsoft 365, Office, or your standalone Project app, select Modify, and run Quick Repair first. 
• If the issue continues, repeat the steps and choose Online Repair, which is the more thorough repair option. 

Please let me know the results of these steps or if you receive a specific error code during the repair process, and I will be happy to assist you further.

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Answer 2

The repair prompt usually indicates a problem with the Office/Project installation rather than with a specific file. Use a full Online Repair instead of the quick “Repair now” dialog that appears when Project closes.

Follow these steps from Windows:

1. Close Microsoft Project and all other Office apps.
2. Open Windows Settings (or Control Panel) and go to the place where apps are managed:
   • Windows 10/11: Right‑click Start → Apps and Features (or Installed apps on Windows 11).
   • Windows 7/8/8.1: Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program.
3. Find the Microsoft 365/Office product that includes Project in the list, select it, and choose Modify or Change.
4. When asked how to repair Office:
   • For Click‑to‑Run installs: choose Online Repair → Repair (not just Quick Repair).
   • For MSI‑based installs: choose Repair → Continue and complete the wizard.
5. Let the repair finish, then restart the computer and start Microsoft Project again.

If Project still immediately asks to repair and closes after a full Online Repair, completely uninstall Office/Project from Apps & Features/Programs and Features, restart, and then reinstall, as described in the Q&A guidance.

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References:

• Error 0xC0000142 when you start an Office application
• I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC
• how fix run into an error problem - Microsoft Q&A
• How can I get office 365 to work? - Microsoft Q&A
• how can i fix it. - Microsoft Q&A
• how i can fix the microsoft app problem - Microsoft Q&A