RepairWindows

Microsoft Word Not Responding? Practical Solutions to Fix the Issue

Jack

By Jack Lin

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Microsoft Word Not Responding

When Microsoft Word does not respond in the middle of a typing project, that can be maddening for any user. Well, if Word is not responding on your PC, you are not the only one who is experiencing this issue.

In fact, there can be plenty of reasons for this issue. In most cases, those reasons are unknown. Regardless of the reason, we offer you the most practical solutions you can use here.

Microsoft Word Not Responding

It is true that the issue appears to be pretty big, especially if you have not saved the file. But still, you don’t have to worry about it as we explain how to overcome the issue conveniently.

Part 1: Possible Reasons for “Microsoft Word Not Responding.”

Before looking at the solutions, we recommend you get an idea about the nature of the issue. In fact, knowing the reasons behind this issue can help you resolve the issue with a better understanding.

That said, mentioned below are the reasons for this “Word not responding” issue.

  • Before everything else, you should remember that the issue can arise as a result of outdated software. That means Microsoft Word can stop performing perfectly when it is not updated as expected. So, the chances are that “Word not responding” can occur due to outdated software. In fact, this could be the most common reason behind this issue.
  • Next, the issue can appear due to incompatibilities between the OS and the software. For instance, if your existing OS is not compatible with the Microsoft Word version, that leads to various issues. And Microsoft Word not responding could be one of those common errors.
  • Various issues can trigger at least on an occasional basis when the drivers of the system aren’t updated. So, you should check the updated drivers as well.
  • In addition to that, various add-ins included in your Word software can cause various issues. Word not responding could be one of the most common issues caused due to incompatible add-ins.

Besides, let’s figure out how to fix the 0x80040154 and Outlook disconnected errors.


Part 2: Fixes to Try If Microsoft Word Not Responding

Now that you have a better understanding of the causes. Let’s take a look at the solutions. In this section, we explain several solutions to try and eliminate this issue easily.

Please note that you don’t have to try all those methods. Instead, try one by one to find out which solution works to resolve the issue.

01. Launch MS Word in Safe Mode to Fix Microsoft Word Not Responding

Safe Mode is a lifesaver in various situations. You can use Safe Mode for your Word application and try to fix the issue.

Well, when you launch MS Word in Safe Mode, all the third-party services will be disabled. Also, third-party applications will be disabled. So, you can launch Word in Safe Mode and see if it works perfectly.

Below are the steps to follow when your MS Word application doesn’t work.

  • First, hit the Start key on the keyboard and search for the MS Word application. If not, you can use Windows and S keys simultaneously and find the MS Word program.
  • Once you have done that, hit the CTRL key while clicking on the Word Program. As a result, Word will launch in its Safe Mode.
Launch MS Word in "Safe Mode" to fix Microsoft Word Not Responding
  • Then, you can check if your MS Word application is running properly without any issues. If the issue persists, you should go to the next solution.

Alternative steps

You can follow the below-mentioned alternative steps to run the app in Safe Mode.

  • Press both the “Windows” and “R” keys at once and enter “CMD.” Then, hit enter to evoke the command prompt.
  • Once the command prompt appears, you should enter the installation path of Word. After entering it, enter the line “winword.exe/safe” right after the path. As a result, you can open the Microsoft Word application in safe mode.

02. Use the Office Repair Tool to Fix the ‘Microsoft Word Not Responding’ Issue

This is another practical way to resolve this issue with ease. You can utilize this built-in tool called Office Repair to fix the error. This specific tool has shown effectiveness in resolving crashes and frozen Microsoft Word.

Mentioned below are the steps to repair your Microsoft Word through this tool.

  • First, you should open the control panel of the computer. Then, please click on the option called “Programs.” After that, you should enter the text “Programs and Features.”
  • Then, find the “Microsoft Office” option from the appearing list.
  • After that, you should click the “Change” option on the top menu.
Use the Office Repair tool to fix the issue
  • Now, a different set of options will be displayed. You should choose the option called “Repair” and then click on “Continue.”
Use the Office Repair tool to fix the issue

If you are using one of the latest versions of MS Office, you should choose the “Online Repair” option. Otherwise, you can use the “Quick Repair” option and then go to the “Repair” option.

Use the Office Repair tool to fix the issue
  • Now, the repair will start, and you will see that the computer gets rebooted. After that, your MS Word application should work fine.
Use the Office Repair tool to fix Microsoft Word Not Responding

Also read:  how to unlock password protected Microsoft Word document.

03. Driver Incompatibilities

Just like we have mentioned above, the device drivers can cause some errors, like Microsoft Word not responding if you don’t update them. So, in this section, we explain how to update the drivers and make them compatible with the application.

  • First, you should go to the Device Manager and choose the printer.
  • Now, you should right-click on the printer drivers. After that, you should choose the option called “Uninstall.” If not, you can even select the “Update Driver.”
Fix Microsoft Word Not Responding by Driver incompatibilities
  • If you intend to uninstall the driver, just hit “OK” and then restart the computer. However, if you want to update the driver, just click on “Search Automatically for updated driver software.” Then, you should follow the prompts accordingly and complete the process. Once you have done that, restart the computer.

04. Disconnect the Network Drive

This is another solution to try if Responding. In this solution, you are required to disconnect the network drive. To do this, please follow the steps listed below.

  • First, you should perform double-click on “This PC.” Once the window is opened, you should go to “Map Network Drive” and choose the “Computer” tab. Choose the option called “Disconnect Network Drive.”
Disconnect the network drive
  • Once you have done that, you should opt for the network drive, which should be disconnected. Then, you should click on the button labeled “OK.”
Disconnect the network drive
  • Now, you will see a dialog box where you will have to confirm the actions. Just hit on the option called “Yes.” That’s it.
Disconnect the network drive to fix Microsoft Word Not Responding

05. Disable Any Add-ins Installed in Word

Sometimes, the issue can be triggered due to one or more add-ins installed in your Word application. In this case, you should remove those steps and disable any of those add-ins.

Below is how to disable the add-ins to fix Microsoft Word not responding.

  • To start the process, you should press the “Windows” and “R” keys simultaneously on the keyboard. Then, that will bring the run utility up. Once the run utility is launched, you should enter the text “winword.exe/a.” After that, you should hit “Enter,” so the MS word will open. When it is opened, you will not see any plugins.
Disable any add-ins installed in Word to fix Microsoft Word Not Responding
  • Now, go back to the “File” menu and choose “Options.” Then, choose “Add-ins” from its left panel.
Disable any add-ins installed in Word
  • Now, you should hit the “Manage” option and then choose “COM Add-ins.” After that, you should hit “Go.” Make sure that you deactivate the potentially troublesome apps. After that, you should hit “OK” and restart MS Word.
Disable any add-ins installed in Word

Part 3: What Can You Do to Repair Corrupted MS Word Files?

Because of the “Word not responding” error, the files you have been working on can get corrupted. If any important word files on your computer are damaged due to any reason, that’s a huge trouble.

However, you can use a powerful tool like Stellar Word Repair to repair those corrupted files easily. This special is known for its ability to repair MS Word files without changing the original text.

Steps to Repair the Corrupted Word Files using Stellar Word Repair

  • As the first step, you should go to the official website of Stellar Word Repair. Then, download the installation file and install it on the computer. Then, launch the tool to see its main interface.
  • Now, you can see an option called “Add File.” It is located in the “File” Ribbon. Click on it and choose the corrupted Word file you intend to repair and use.
Stellar Word Repair
  • Now, you should choose the file using the buttons and choose the option “Scan.”
What can you do to repair corrupted MS Word files?
  • The selected Word file will be scanned by Stellar Word Repair now. Now, click on the option “Save” after the file is scanned. You can find this ribbon in the “File.” Now, the file will be repaired.
Fix Microsoft Word Not Responding with Stellar Word Repair

Please note that you can go to the “Advanced Repair” option in the “File.” However, you should choose it if the file is corrupted severely.

Besides, if you wonder how to fix Microsoft Excel not responding, you should check out this guide.


Conclusion

Experiencing Microsoft Word not responding can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can overcome this issue. By understanding the causes and implementing the solutions provided in this article, you’ll be able to resolve the problem efficiently.

Remember to keep your software updated, manage add-ins effectively, and seek professional assistance when needed to ensure a smooth and productive experience with Microsoft Word.

FAQs

1. How do I know if an add-in is causing Microsoft Word to freeze? If you suspect that an add-in is causing the issue, you can disable them by going to “File,” selecting “Options,” clicking on “Add-ins,” and choosing “COM Add-ins” from the drop-down menu. Uncheck the add-ins and restart Word to check if it responds.

2. Can a corrupt template file cause Microsoft Word to become unresponsive? Yes, a corrupt template file can impact Word’s performance. If you suspect a template file is causing the issue, try opening Word without loading the template by holding the “Ctrl” key while launching the application.

3. What should I do if Word freezes while working on a specific document? If Word freezes while working on a specific document, try opening the document in Word’s safe mode. Hold the “Ctrl” key and double-click the document. This will open it in a read-only mode and might help you recover your work.

4. Is it possible to recover unsaved work if Word becomes unresponsive? Yes, Microsoft Word has an AutoRecover feature that automatically saves your work at regular intervals. If Word becomes unresponsive, you can open it again, and it will prompt you to recover any unsaved documents.

5. How can I prevent hardware-related issues from affecting Microsoft Word? Ensure that your computer meets the system requirements for running Microsoft Word. Additionally, regularlybacking up your files, maintaining sufficient disk space, and keeping your hardware drivers updated can help prevent hardware-related issues from affecting the performance of Microsoft Word.

Jack
Jack

10 years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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