Microsoft Word is not working correctly

Question

Issue: Microsoft Word is not working correctly.

Error Message Displayed: “We're sorry, but Word has run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly. Word will need to be closed as a result. Would you like us to repair now?”

Problem Description: Microsoft Word suddenly displays the above error message and cannot function normally. The application needs to be closed, which prevents the user from continuing to work on documents.

Impact: This issue interrupts work and may prevent users from opening, editing, or creating Word documents.

Request: Please investigate this issue and provide a suitable solution to restore Microsoft Word to normal operation.

Answer 1

Hi,

What changes were made to your computer or subscription before the issue started?

Instead of Quick Repair, I suggest trying Online Repair. To do this, type Control Panel in the search bar, then go to Programs and Features > Microsoft 365/Office > right-click > Change, then select Online Repair.

If the issue persists, press Win + R, type winword /safe, and press Enter to start Microsoft Word in Safe Mode. This mode loads Word with only the essential components and temporarily disables add-ins, which helps determine if an add-in is causing the issue. If Word opens correctly in Safe Mode, go to File > Options > Add-ins and disable the add-ins one by one to identify the cause.

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If the issue still persists, make sure your Office license/subscription is linked to the correct Microsoft account.

Go to: https://account.microsoft.com/services

Can you confirm if your license or subscription appears there and is listed as active?

Answer 2

Try these fixes in order:

1. Update Office
   • Open any Office app, such as Word, and create a new document if possible.
   • Go to File > Account.
   • Under Product Information, select Update Options > Update Now.
   • If Update Now is not shown, select Enable Updates first, then Update Now.
   • Wait until the You're up to date! window appears.
2. If this started after a Windows 10 upgrade and Office 2013 is installed
   • This issue was fixed in the October product update 15.0.4763.
   • Install the latest Office 2013 updates using File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
3. Run an Online Repair if the built-in “Repair now” prompt does not fix it
   • Open Settings.
   • Go to Apps or Installed apps.
   • Find Microsoft Office in the list.
   • Select Modify.
   • Choose Online Repair, then select Repair.
   • This is more thorough than the automatic repair prompt shown by Word.
4. If Word, Excel, or PowerPoint close unexpectedly when working with cloud files
   • This was a known issue in Office Version 2205.
   • Update to Version 2206 (Build 16.0.15330.20230) or later using File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.

If Word still fails after updating and running Online Repair, the supported next step in the provided guidance is to reinstall Office.

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References:

• I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC
• You may receive an error when running Office 2013 in Windows 10: "We're sorry, but Word has run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly."
• we are sorry, but word has run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly. Word will need to be closed as a result. Would you like us to repair now? - Microsoft Q&A
• How to fix MS Word has run into an error that is preventing from working properly. Word will need to be closed as a result. - Microsoft Q&A
• Word, Excel, and PowerPoint close unexpectedly when trying to open cloud documents in Office Version 2205