My Word documents won't open

Lisa McNeel 20 Reputation points
2026-08-10T18:05:17.3333333+00:00

When I attempt to open a Word document, an error message appears that there is unreadable content. When I click Yes to recover the document, the error message is Word experienced an error. I am on a brand-new HP laptop and have only created the one document I am attempting to open. I am also using MS 365 Personal.

How do I fix the issue?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
Answer accepted by question author
Ferdinand Nanalig 32,845 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-10T18:40:12.29+00:00

Hi! Let me help you.

What happens when you restart your computer?

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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-10T18:05:45.57+00:00

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Use Open and Repair
      • In Word, select File > Open > Browse.
      • Go to the document location.
      • Select the file, click the arrow next to Open, then select Open and Repair.
      • This is the primary recovery step for unreadable or corrupted files.
    2. Check whether the file is blocked or read-only
      • In File Explorer, right-click the document and select Properties.
      • If there is an Unblock button, select it, then select OK.
      • If Read-only is checked, clear it and select OK.
    3. If the file came from email, download, or another location, use a trusted folder
      • Move the file into a single folder.
      • In Word, go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings.
      • Select Trusted Locations > Add new location.
      • Choose that folder, then select OK.
      • Try opening the file again.
    4. If Word itself is failing, disable add-ins
      • Older add-ins can cause Office apps to stop working or fail to open files.
      • If Word starts after add-ins are disabled, leave the problematic add-in unchecked or remove it.
    5. Repair Microsoft 365
      • If the problem happens with this document and other Word files, repair Office.
      • A Quick Repair can be tried first.
      • If that does not help, run Online Repair. This reinstalls Office components, so it is more thorough.
    6. If the file is actually corrupted
      • File corruption can happen if a file was interrupted during save, transfer, device removal, crash, or power loss.
      • If Open and Repair cannot recover it, the document may be damaged beyond normal opening.

    Since this is a brand-new laptop and only one document is affected, start with Open and Repair, then check Properties for Unblock or Read-only. If even newly created Word files fail to open, move to Office repair.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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