How to fix running microsoft exel and word errors

Blessings Raphael 0 Reputation points
2026-09-04T07:02:36.9133333+00:00

I am trying to create a document using word but whenever I try to open word or excel it tells me there is an error but when I fix the error it still won't get fixed what should I do?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest

  1. AI answer

    2026-09-04T07:03:36.1933333+00:00

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Update Office first
      • Open any Office app if possible.
      • Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
      • If Update Now is not shown, select Enable Updates first.
    2. Start Word or Excel in Safe Mode This checks whether an add-in is causing the error.
      • Press Windows key + R to open Run.
      • For Word, type: winword /safe
      • For Excel, type: excel /safe
      • If the app opens, the title bar should show Safe Mode.
    3. If Safe Mode works, disable add-ins
      • In the app, go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
      • In the Manage list, select the app’s add-ins or COM Add-ins, then select Go.
      • Clear one add-in, select OK, then restart the app normally.
      • Repeat until the problem add-in is found.
      • Older add-ins such as Abbyy FineReader, PowerWord, and Dragon Naturally Speaking are specifically noted as possible causes.
    4. If Safe Mode does not work, repair Office
      • In Windows 10: right-click Start > Apps and Features.
      • In Windows 11: right-click Start > Installed apps.
      • Select the Microsoft 365 or Office product and choose Modify.
      • For Click-to-run, choose Online Repair > Repair.
      • For MSI-based installs, choose Repair and then Continue.
      • Note: this repairs the entire Office suite, not just Word or Excel.
    5. Restart the PC after the repair A restart may be needed after repair completes.
    6. If the problem is only with a specific file The file may be damaged.
      • Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
      • Go to File > Open > Browse.
      • Select the file, then select the arrow next to Open.
      • Choose Open and Repair.

    If Word and Excel still fail after Safe Mode testing and an Online Repair, the next step supported here is to uninstall and reinstall Office.

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

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.