Word 2016 crashing when clicking on the File menu

Anonymous
2017-04-26T15:33:52+00:00

We have noticed that since this month’s updates have installed Word 2016 is crashing when clicking on the File menu when certain (not all) documents are open. 

Our initial investigations have revealed that if we open a document that works (a fresh .docx or any .doc) and while Word is still open try and open a problematic .docx it works.  If we try and open a problematic .docx with Word closed first, accessing the File menu causes Word to crash.  What’s interesting is that it doesn’t seem to be all .docx files, only certain ones, but for the moment we haven’t identified any commonality between the problem files, in fact most are simple documents with no embedded pictures, macros etc.

Removing the Update for Word 2016 (KB3178720) resolves the issue.  However, if we install this update on its own on a VM, it does not cause the issue, so it appears to be caused by a combination of updates released this month rather than just this particular update, but removing this one update resolves the problem.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-08-09T20:16:30+00:00

    Hi,

    Uninstalling and reinstalling Office is one of the most effective way to troubleshoot issues with it. Just to verify, were you able to perform the suggested troubleshooting steps provided from the previous posts?

    Regarding your concern, it would be best that you repair it first and check if that process will help instead of uninstalling and reinstalling. For steps on how to repair Office, please refer to this link:

    Repair an Office application

    Please update us if this workaround helps you to resolve the issue.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-09-15T19:08:10+00:00

    I have same problem impacting many computers with updated windows 10 What the heck is going on? Seems like a very big problem!

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T13:37:04+00:00

    It is an issue that uninstall works only. But now a new updates have broken the printers again.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-03T16:23:09+00:00

    It is an issue that uninstall works only. But now a new updates have broken the printers again. seems 

    That seems unacceptable.

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-12-04T19:38:44+00:00

    Hopefully the December update will fix it but so far there is no sign that it has been.

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