office 365 Word won't let me type into a new document

Anonymous
2013-08-10T09:07:03+00:00

I've had Office 365 for a while now and all was good.

However for the last four weeks, or so, I have not been able to type into a new Word document. If I try to the pc just pings at me and refuses to type. No other office programme is doing this. If I open an old document, or save a new document before typing, close it then open it I can type into it.

I have Win 8 and have only installed updates from windows and new video drivers since the problem began.

I have deleted the normal template and let it recreate one on opening, but the problem still exists.

Any suggestions?

Stephen.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2013-10-02T15:46:27+00:00

I have solved the problem, but forgot to come on here and say how!

After playing about with the various options in Word I finally tried turning off the start screen that popped up when I started Word.

Not sure why, but now that it's turned off and a blank document opens straight away I can now type into a blank document again.

Stephen.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-03T02:07:54+00:00

    I have also encountered this same problem.  Microsoft Word 2013 on Windows 7.  It is fully activated and not on a trial.  

    Same thing....I could open up previously saved documents and type into them fine....it was just the new documents that would not allow me to type.  Just the same "pinging" sound every time you touched a key on the keyboard.

    I tried Stephen's solution and turned off the start up screen when the application launches and it's all fixed.  Pretty weird, but I'm glad someone found an answer.

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  2. Charles Kenyon 171K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-08-10T14:47:27+00:00

    This sounds like a trial version, the trial period for which has expired.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-08-10T15:46:22+00:00

    You are right, if it was an expired trial the problem would appear in all of the apps.

    Just to confirm, in Word could you go into File menu > Account command and look carefully under Office logo to see what is described.

    This is so off the wall that all that I can suggest is that the standard trouble shooting techniques.  Off the top of my head it MAY be a wierd addin interaction, but work through the process:

    A General Starting point when Word does something unexpected

    As a general rule, when something seems to be going wrong, or at least not the way you want it to go, in Word “menu’ go to Tools and then Options, in Word “ribbon” go to File then Options, and study all of the various options, both turned on and off.

    You may even get lucky and find some other settings that you want to try that have nothing to do with the current problem.

    When I was teaching Word and other Microsoft Office programs at a private business college, I had three rules:

    1.      Always check Tools Options

    2.      When in doubt, right-click on something

    3.      If you're wondering how to set up a special kind of material in a document, consider whether Word tables are suitable. The placement officer of the school came to me several times and asked how I thought she should set something up. Each time the answer was, "I'd use a Word table." By the fifth time she had stopped asking--she got the point.


    Shortcut to Start Word in Safe Mode or Excel in Safe Mode, Hold <CTL> key when clicking on icon or using the Start menu search window and entering WINWORD.EXE /a  or  WINWORD.EXE /safe


    Trouble Shooting Procedures for Word problems that occur when you start or use Word 2010, 2007, 2003, or 2002

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921541  2003-2010

    http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=820919 -2002-2003


    **NOTE:**part of this procedure is disabling addins. If you want to take a shortcut, check to see if you have a BlueTooth device driver or addin, ie “send to Bluetooth”, installed. Disabling BlueTooth is rapidly moving to the top of my Office trouble shooting process. Blue Tooth drivers have been identified as the cause of problems with many different “random” symptoms. If you have BlueTooth, disable it in control panel, device manager and possibly as an addin in Office apps.  It’s not that I think there is anything inherently bad with Blue Tooth. The problem is with the people writing the drivers.


    Don’t Assume ANYTHING!

    Don’t assume some part of the trouble shooting processes listed below doesn’t apply to you. Often there are things going on in the background that you just aren’t aware of. For example, when installing software it is all too easy to have an unwanted app installed if you don’t carefully read every screen.


    Uninstall Recent Software

    At this point, you have also think about any software or plugins that you may have installed on your computer. Annoyingly, this problem with Word can be caused by a program that is completely unrelated to Word!

    Did you recently install some new hardware? A printer, scanner, label machine, web cam, tablet, etc? Have you installed any software? If so, uninstall it and see if the problem goes away. 


    A beginner's guide to trouble shooting problems in Word

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322743

    This article presents a systematic approach to help you resolve various error messages and problems in Microsoft Word. You can use one of the following methods to resolve various error messages and problems in Word:

    Manually

    Use the the Trouble shoot Utility in the Support Template

    If you want to perform the steps using the Trouble shoot Utility, start with step 1. If you want to perform the steps manually, start with step 2.

    Perform the steps, in order, until your problem is resolved.

    Examples of Problems caused by External Programs and Addons

    Optional Reading ********************


    Office 2013 upgrade installed but apps all close immediately upon starting up

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office\_2013\_release-office\_install/office-2013-upgrade-installed-but-apps-all-close/fa8d60ae-cb22-4910-8d16-3c71593f4ea9

    <snip>I found some posts on line about opening each product that was closing in safe mode and disabling the ABBYY Reader add-on.  THis solved my problems.  Not sure why but I disabled that add on in WORD, EXCEL, and OUTLOOK and they all work now. </snip>

    2013 02 12 - Copy error, some error in Event Viewer with the file gdiplus.dll - Uninstall iCloud Panel

    <snip> While I couldn't precisely say whether the problems from Office stemmed from the iCloud Panel software, I decided to uninstall the software as I don't use it anyway. After doing that, Office is now working perfectly fine. No more re-starting or crashing when I'm running IE at the back, nor trying to copy something in Word or Excel. It looks like the iCloud Panel software does have some compatibility issues with Office. </snip>


    Clipboard functionality no longer allows ability to paste formatting in Office Apps – Skype error – Official notice

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2697462

    https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/excel/thread/0cffef67-afca-45ad-b75d-3eeb4a859983 

    Starting in March 2012, "Skype click to Call" has been causing problems File Open problems, and Copy/Paste problems in Office Apps.

    The quick test for this problem is to close all open browsers. If the problem goes away it is probably Skype.

    March 30 – MS has released an update to Skype that fixes the problem. Go to the Skype site, download and install the newest version ofc the program.

    Clipboard broken – “Smart RAM”

    <snip>

    For anyone reading this, I figured out the problem after surfing the web for the past 3-4 weeks. Painful process. I have a paid version of Advanced SystemCare Pro, v5.2.0. 3-4 weeks ago, while scanning through it's vast offerings, I came across a feature I could activate called "Smart RAM". I turned it on and checked the 5 boxes it offers in the settings. The last of those 5 is "Clean Clipboard". I unchecked this box a few minutes ago and it fixed my issues. I now have no problems with copy/paste. Info only, it case it helps anyone.

    <snip>

    Cannot select text – “Synergy”

    <snip>  Hi, I recently came across this problem in MS Word 2007 where after I type or hit any key on my keyboard while in the Word window, I can no longer highlight text with my mouse (by clicking once at the beginning of the text and dragging the mouse to the end of the text portion that I want to highlight). I have found that if I click out of the Word window and press any key on the keyboard, this seems to resolve the problem and I can finally highlight with my mouse. However, as soon as I type anything in the Word window again, highlighting with the mouse no longer works. Clicking on any key again within the Word window does not resolve the issue- I have to push a key outside the Word window in order to resolve the problem.    </snip>

    <snip> Hi, I just figured out the problem. I had installed the Synergy program 1.5 weeks ago and by uninstalling it the problem appears to be resolved. Thank you both for your time and help.  </snip>


    Word and Excel crash when I try to open a document

    <snip> I had the same problem, i ran windword in safe mode successfully and disabled ABBYY FineReader 9.0 and the problem was solved as well, all is fine now and office is awesome!!</snip>

    <snip> I ran my old Word 2010 and removed the ABBYY add-in. I didn't have to disable the whole program. I also did the "Quick Repair" and the "Online Repair" of Office 2013 Preview, but I'm pretty sure it was the add-in removal that made the difference. </snip


    Why is MS Word 2010 freezing every time I copy anything? - <SNIP> Thank you! My culprit was MATLAB </SNIP>


    Bluetooth Fix: “Microsoft Word has stopped working”

    http://www.thewindowsclub.com/fix-microsoft-word-has-stopped-working


    Example of a problem caused by Bluetooth

    Alright, well, I found the answer to this final issue: I only needed to disable the Bluetooth add-in on Options. I have no idea why that would have been the problem, but I found it as a suggested fix here. Now every single thing opens quickly and without error.

    Thanks for all your help everyone.

    As a recap:

    o   My Office 2010 was a Click-to-Run version

    o   Word suddenly giving me messages about "Downloading the Required Feature," freezing up, slowing down...

    o   Ultimately had to uninstall Office

    o   Reinstalled it from the Microsoft website with my product key, choosing the 64-bit version instead of the Click-to-Run version

    o   Installed all new updates from Windows Updates

    o   Restarted computer

    o   Word working quickly with no messages, but became unresponsive when trying to open old files

    o   Went to File->Options->Add-Ins->Go-> and unchecked Bluetooth.

    o   Everything seems to be back to normal, if not better than before.


    Black Blob during Copy / Paste

    My problem is if I copy text from a web site or from Excel, Access etc into Word all I get is a black spot.

    I have tried a repair install and checking all the settings against my laptop - where this function works properly.

    The problem is caused by a defective Bluetooth add-in for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, turn off the Com Addin.

    Additional Notes:

    o   The defective Bluetooth add-in is usually installed by a Bluetooth driver. (In my case - Intel Centrino Wireless Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed Adaptor (v1.1))

    o   Updating your Bluetooth driver (or reverting to an older version) may also resolve the problem.

    o   Unfortunately simply disabling the add-in through the Word options may result in a 3 second freeze when loading Word 2007. (If this is a problem, changing to a different bluetooth driver version may be the better option)


    Additional tip - Remove Older Printer Drivers

    Oddly enough, this ended up being the cause of my problem. I had an older print driver installed on my Win7 machine and once I removed that driver, Word started working without any problems!

    You can delete individual printer drivers by going into the registry. Note that simply going to Printers and Faxes and deleting a printer there does not delete the printer driver.

    Follow Step 3 in my previous post about a printer error to remove the printer drivers:

    http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/fix-the-printer-spooler-service-terminated-unexpectedly/


    Word 2010 Crashes when Loading DOC from SharePoint

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office\_2010-word/word-2010-crashes-when-loading-docs-from/8502a925-e141-4d80-ae00-bda207dd855c

    Here is a truely Off-the-wall solution that is in the same class as bad RAM and bad Video Cards

    <snip> My problem turned out to be related to the WYSE thin clients we were using to connect to the Win 2008 R2 Terminal servers.  The software that allows/enhances use of dual screens called WYSE TXC Multi-Display v1.2.1.7 was causing the applications to crash (including IE 9 32bit).  Once this software was disabled - The errors stopped.

    I have a feeling this software doesn't like Windows Server 2008 R2.  It was being used successfully on Server 2003.  I have seen a  few other posts on Google for people searching for an updated version without success. </snip>


    Windows 8 / Office 2013 / HP printing problem - solution, install OLDER printer driver!

    Office 2013 instead.  I am having problems with Excel, Word and Outlook printing to two separate HP laserjet printers, models 1522nf and model 3015.  I can print one file from these applications.  The second file locks up the Excel, Word or Outlook program and the only solution that I have found is to close out of the program.  If I restart my computer, I can then print one file before it locks up again.  This only happens with my HP Laserjet Printers.  I have a HP Officejet 8600 printer that does not have any problems printing in Office 2013 Excel, Word or Outlook.   Both of my Laserjet printers will print anything on Internet Explorer or non Office based programs without any issues.  I have downloaded the latest drivers for these printers and looked for any latest updates to Office 2013 and made sure that I had the most recent.

    I installed the printer driver Vista version for my HP Laserjet 1522 and that fixed the problem with the Spooling / Cache issue with Office 2013.  Best Buy and HP via phone could not come up with this answer.   Thanks again!


    Win 7 / Office 2013 / HP Printing problem / HP MFP Printer

    have latest version of Office 2013 installed Windows 7-32bit. I can only print one time (one print job sent) from any Office app, if I try printing again (sending another print job to the printer from the same office app or even non-office apps like Adobe PDF) the job gets stuck spooling, never progresses or prints. I can only print again if I reboot my computer, and then only once if I print from an Office 2013 app. I have confirmed this is an Office 2013 bug because I have Office 2010 still installed so the very same document will print on the same printer fine and I can print after that just fine. So once I try to print from any Office 2013 app, the print spooler hangs.

    *************

    After the problem occurred again even though I disabled Windows Defender, I have now confirmed it is the Printer driver (HP MFP printer). I determined this by setting up a "virtual" printer and was able to print to it consistently   with no problem. Interestingly, that printer was one from the Windows 7 normal selections and probably older than the printer I am trying to print to. Unfortunately HP has not updated my printer's driver since 2009 and I doubt they will at this point. I still don't know what has changed in Office 2013 vs. 2010 that would cause a working printer driver to have this problem. 


    When using word 2013, the arrows on the vertical scroll bar on right of page are not working well.

    They work a couple of times then seize up.  I use them when slowly reading through or altering a document and hate that they are not functioning properly!!

    Surprise Solution: Uninstall expired factory installed Office 2007 trial. 

    OK, whatever works …


    Word 2013 Crashes “all the time” - Adobe PS CS3 issue

    Found out after many test that there's an incompatibility between Adobe PS CS3 and Word 2013 fonts causing the Word to crash. No clue about a solution except not using Adobe fonts on Word.


    Office 2013 apps “crashing all the time”

    <snip> Spend a lot fo tiem trying to stop my 365 from crashing it would run in safe mode only.. I have windows 8 machine.  IT WAS MY SWITCHABLE Graphics settings. When I changed the settings for each of the programs that were crashing to power saving mode instead of HIGH PERFORMANCE mode it corrected all issues.  HOPE THIS helps other who have this issue fix it faster than I did. </snip>


    Trouble Shoot Office 2013 installations that don’t work

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office\_2013\_release-word/when-i-type-in-word-2013-nothing-appearsstill/72ca2eb9-5f1a-491e-b6ae-9c7ca959bde1

    This is a straight copy of a reply from Doug Robbins: <snip>

    A lot of problems with Office 2013 are caused by third party (non-Microsoft) applications.  This is my expanded (expanding) list of things to try when Office 2013\365 won’t start or crashes:

    See Office 2013 install woes - http://office-watch.com/t/n.aspx?a=1834

    See the KnowledgeBase article “Office 2013 applications crash on launch at the splash screen” at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2813143

    Or see the KnowledgeBase article Error: “Something went wrong and we can't sign you in right now” when trying to install Office 2013 at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2811180/en-us/

    Also see Doug’s resply: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2013_release-word/microsoft-word-2013-has-stopped-working/67b81016-849f-481a-bce5-bf04797ac03b

    Do you have Abbyy Finereader installed on the PC? A number of people have reported that removing it overcomes problems with 2013

    Do you have “Fun Tools” add-in? A number of people have reported that removing it overcomes problems with 2013

    Do you have Toshiba Book Reader installed on the PC?  It has been reported that uninstalling that brings Office back to working status.

    Do you have the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in.  It has been reported that uninstalling that overcomes an issue with a message appearing that states "The document contains macros. Macro support for this application is disabled. Features requiring VBA are not available. Would you like to open this document as a read only?"

    Also see: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2013_release-word/microsoft-word-has-stopped-working-when-i-close/8375b5b6-4f7e-46ed-a02b-90152ecad287#LastReply and

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_home-word/word-and-excel-2013-crashing-on-windows-7/5389390c-e989-4c8e-8fe0-62673f1410ce?page=4#LastReply

    It appears that there may be some hardware incompatibilities as well.  If you have the NVIDIA driver NVWGF2UM.DLL, try renaming it as: NVWGF2UM.old as was mentioned in:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2013_release-word/microsoft-word-has-stopped-working-when-i-close/8375b5b6-4f7e-46ed-a02b-90152ecad287#LastReply

    also See: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_365hp-word/office-2013-crashes-with-canon-8350-printer/e2bf6530-92e0-47ef-b6ec-e803a91793d0?page=3#LastReply

    From the File tab, select Options and then click on Advanced and then in the Display section of the dialog, check the box for Disable hardware graphics acceleration

    For the error message "There was a problem sending the command to the program", use Windows Explorer to access the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15 folder and right click on WINWORD.EXE then on Properties, go to the Compatibility tab and uncheck all the boxes.  It has also been reported that the problem can be overcome by editing the registry at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document.12\shell\Open and deleting the ddeexec key.

    The ddeexec can also be deleted from

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.DocumentMacroEnabled.12\shell\Open.

    That fix is described at ... http://www.dilloway.co.uk/there-was-a-problem-sending-the-command.html

    It has been reported that uninstalling FastPictureView and FastPictureViewer Pro… overcomes the issue of the Minimize, Maximize, Close and Help buttons not being visible in Office 2013.

    Refer to the following website for information on repairing Office 365: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project-help/repair-or-remove-office-2010-HA010357402.aspx

    Word 2013 Crashes “All the time” - PS CS3 Fonts not compatible with Word 2013: Found out after many test that there's an incompatibility between Adobe PS CS3 and Word 2013 fonts causing the Word to crash. No clue about a solution except not using Adobe fonts on Word.


    Hope this helps,

    Doug Robbins - Word MVP

    dkr[atsymbol]mvps[dot]org

    </snip>

    ************** End Optional reading

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-08-10T15:18:48+00:00

    Nope it is a fully paid up version. Excel and outlook all work fine. As I said if I open a document on my drive I can type straight into it but if I start a brand new document I have to save it first then open it to be able to type into it

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