Quick Fixes For Microsoft Word Keeps Crashing In Windows 10

Microsoft Word is an application that caters to users from all spheres of life. Working professionals, students and homemakers, all use Microsoft Word, sometimes as their second skin. It is often used for writing letters, drafting emails, writing assignments, formulating brochures, CVs. In short, for any document, Microsoft Word can be your go-to option. Yet, there are times, when out of the blue, you might encounter issues like Microsoft Word keeps crashing.

What Happens When Microsoft Word Keeps Crashing In Windows 10?

In a situation, when Microsoft Word keeps crashing, you might encounter issues like documents disappearing without being saved, your word document might close abruptly with no apparent reason, or it may just freeze. One way is to seek help from your IT administrator, but what if he is not available at the moment and you have to accomplish a task urgently? In that case, you can try some easy to follow self troubleshooting methods.

Methods To Fix Microsoft Word Keeps Crashing?

Before we move forward with the steps to resolve the “Microsoft Word keeps crashing” issue, it is recommended that you take a backup of your documents. This way, you would at least have your existing files safe in case there is a mishap, and you have to reinstall Microsoft Word all over again.

To avoid any loss of Word files because of Microsoft Word crashing, Right Backup is secure online cloud storage that can help you keep a backup of your Word file.

Features:

• It has a 12-hour automatic scheduler with the help of which you can back your data to the cloud.
• Comes with a custom and smart restore functionality with the help of which you can restore backed up files you desire
• Works on all major platforms (Windows, Android, iOS and Mac)

If you have been encountering this issue often, it is advisable that switch on the Always create backup copy option for some time so that at least you will have a backup ready should something go wrong. To enable this, here’s the path –

File > Options > Advanced > Always create backup copy

Method 1: Try Disabling Or Removing A Third-Party Plug-ins (Add-ons)

There is no doubt that there are some Microsoft Word Add-Ins that can take your productivity to the next level. Yet, there might be some which can notoriously hamper the working of the application. Some of them can lead to Microsoft Word crashing abruptly, or some might completely freeze the application.

In that case, you can try disabling or removing the recently installed Add-ins one by one. This may help you in finding out what add-in is leading to Microsoft Word crash in Windows 10.

Steps:

1. In Microsoft Word, open File and click on Options
2. On the left-hand panel, click on Add-ins. Here you will see that all the add-ins are listed.
3. At the bottom of the screen, click on the Manage dropdown, select COM Add-ins  and click on Go
4. Now, from the dialogue that appears net, select add-ins that you wish to disable or remove
5. For disabling, uncheck the box next to the add-in. And, if you wish to remove it, click on the checkbox and then click on Remove
6. To save the changes click on OK

Method 2: Try Opening The Word Document In Safe Mode

If your Microsoft Word keeps crashing now and then and you are not able to open it regularly, you can try opening it in safe mode. It is important to note that the steps mentioned below are applicable for Office 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019 –

1. Press Ctrl and double-click on the shortcut of Microsoft Word application
2. In the windows that appear next, click on Yes
3. You can alternatively, press Windows + R key and type winword /safe and click OK. This method is especially useful if you are running a version older than Office 2010

Also Read: How To Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode

Method 3: Did I Lose My Document?

Now, this is more a preventive measure. Your heart would race and skip a beat when you realise that your unsaved document is gone because of the crash. Needn’t worry, let’s see what we can do in that situation. In most cases, after the crashing of Microsoft Word,  the previous document is opened, which you couldn’t save because of the error.

If that doesn’t happen, you can undertake the following steps to search for AutoRecover file’s location –

1. Click on File and then click on Options and then click on Save. Copy the location path of the AutoRecover file
2. Now, go to the File Explorer and paste this location path
3. You will now be able to find the unsaved document in .asd format. Copy this
4. Again, go to the Microsoft Word application and follow the path File > Open > Recover Unsaved Documents at the bottom. Here, paste the .asd file into the file name section area and click on the word file that you wish to recover

Not sure of the above method? Here are some other ways to recover unsaved word documents on Windows 10.

Method 4: Use The Microsoft Word Inbuilt Office Repair Tool

If Microsoft Word is just not responding or keeps crashing or freezing, you can use the inbuilt Office repair tool to fix the issue.

1. Open Start by pressing the Windows key
2. Type Control Panel in the search box and open it
3. Click on Programs and then click on Uninstall a program
4. Right-click on Microsoft Office Suite and click on Change
5. A pop-up window will appear, click on Repair and then continue
6. After you have clicked on continue, you will be offered two ways – Online Repair or Quick Repair
7. After you have clicked on either option, the repair mode will repair office program
8. Now, you can restart your computer and see if the Word file is working fine or not

In The End

It is always advisable to have some troubleshooting tricks up your sleeves to resolve issues. After all, there are times when you are all on your own and have to tackle issues like word file crashing now and then. We hope that we’ve helped you with some of the most effective ways to deal with the issue. And, if you have a better resolve, the comment section is open for you.

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