Visio - "We're sorry... closed as a result."

Dear sgurule,

Since the files opened last week and your coworkers can still open the same files, the drawings themselves are probably not damaged. The issue is more likely specific to your Visio installation, user profile, add-in, update, graphics configuration, or local copy. Could you confirm:

• What is the complete wording of the error message?
• Can Visio open by itself and create a new blank drawing?
• Does the error affect every Visio file or only certain files?
• Are the files stored locally, in OneDrive, SharePoint, or on a network drive?
• Which Visio edition, version, build, and bitness are installed? Check File > Account > About Visio.
• Did Visio or Windows install an update shortly before the problem began?
• Does Repair Now appear in the error dialog, and what happens if you select it?

In the meantime, here are a few things to try:

1. Copy one affected .vsdx file to your local Desktop and open it from there. This rules out OneDrive, SharePoint, network path or sync problems.
2. Start Visio in Safe Mode. Press Windows + R, enter visio /safe, then select OK and open the local copy. Safe Mode disables add ins and customisations. If the file opens, go to File > Options > Add-ins, disable the third party COM add ins, then restart Visio normally.
3. Run an Online Repair. This is different from the reinstall you already tried, because it re downloads and replaces every core file while leaving your settings intact. Right click Start > Installed apps > Microsoft 365 (or Office) > Modify > Online Repair.

If none of that helps, testing with a new Windows user profile will confirm whether the fault is tied to your profile.

I hope this helps. Looking forward to your reply.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

Note: Please follow the steps in the forum documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Hello Kai-L,

Let's start my reply with the mystery that Visio and the files that didn't work yesterday, works this morning. Must be clean living. :)

I figured out that the issue seemed to be an application issue rather than a file issue by having a coworker open the files that weren't working for me. I uninstalled Visio and reinstalled it. I same error message occurred. That's when I filed the question on the forum. When I filed the question, Microsoft's AI replied with some troubleshooting techniques. I ran that by our IT team and they were okay with the process.

For completeness, let's document this in case it's needed down the road.

1. Error Message - "Microsoft Visio - We're sorry, but Visio has run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly. Visio will need to be closed as a result. Would you like us to repair now? [Repair Now] [Help] [Close]"
2. The error occurs even when opening a blank drawing.
3. The error message occurs with all files that I tried to open. I tried three.
4. Microsoft® Visio® Plan 2 MSO (Version 2607 Build 16.0.20228.20188) 64-bit
5. I don't know of any Windows or Visio updates. I was working on these file on Friday (3 days earlier) in Visio and there were not apparent issues. Updates usually occur in the background through our IT team.
6. If I select [Repair Now], the application will close and not restart.
7. I did try a local (my local drive) version of the file. The same error occurred.
8. I didn't have a chance to try starting in safe mode.

I appreciate your help. I've had Visio open for a couple of hours without any error messages.

Best,