system error 0x80004005

Question

cant access my microsoft word docs. Error message system error 0x80004005

Answer 1

Hi!

This is a generic error, so we need to understand the problem better.

Does the error appear in just one specific file, or in all files?

Are you opening the file using the "Open" command within Word, or are you opening the file directly (by double-clicking it)?

Does the problem occur with other Office apps, such as Excel?

Are your documents stored in a cloud service like OneDrive?

Answer 2

0x80004005 is a generic Windows error, so the fix depends on where the Word files are stored and how they are being opened.

For Word documents that will not open, try these supported fixes first:

1. Use Open and Repair in Word
   • Open Word.
   • Select File > Open > Browse.
   • Go to the folder that contains the document.
   • Select the file.
   • Select the arrow next to Open and then select Open and Repair.
   • If the file opens, save a new copy.
2. If the file came from Outlook or another external source
   • On Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows Server 2012, this can happen if the Windows Firewall service is not running.
   • Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, select OK.
   • In Services, right-click Windows Firewall, then select Start.
3. If the files are in a redirected or network folder and Word shows Access denied
   • This can occur when the parent folder of the redirected folder does not grant Read Attributes permission.
   • The parent folder permissions should be:
     • Enterprise administrators: Full Control
     • Domain administrators: Full Control
     • Authenticated users: Traverse Folder / Execute File, List Folder / Read Data, Read Attributes
4. If the documents are on a shared folder and access fails with 0x80004005
   • One documented cause is incorrect network adapter configuration.
   • In that case, configure the adapter to use a valid static IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers for the network.
5. If the files are attached to email
   • Save the attachment to the local hard drive first, then open it from Word.

If the issue affects only one or a few files, file corruption is a likely cause and Open and Repair is the best first step.

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