i can't open the word and excel

TESALONICA LUMAYA 0 Reputation points
2026-09-27T12:29:14.1733333+00:00

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Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For education | Windows
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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-27T12:29:27.42+00:00

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Start Word or Excel in Safe Mode.
      • Press Windows key + R.
      • For Word, type winword /safe and press Enter.
      • For Excel, type excel /safe and press Enter.
      • If the app opens in Safe Mode, go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
      • In Manage, select the add-in type and choose Go.
      • Clear one add-in at a time, select OK, then restart the app normally.
    2. Repair Office.
      • Open Settings.
      • Go to Apps > Apps & features.
      • Select the Office app.
      • Choose Modify.
      • Select Online Repair, then Repair.
    3. If files open in the wrong app or do not open by double-clicking, run a Quick Repair.
      • Open Control Panel.
      • Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
      • Select the Office product.
      • Choose Change.
      • Select Quick Repair > Repair.
    4. If a specific Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file is damaged, try Open and Repair.
      • Open the app first.
      • Select File > Open > Browse.
      • Select the file.
      • Select the arrow next to Open.
      • Choose Open and Repair.
    5. If the error appears when opening downloaded files or files from an external source in Outlook on Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows Server 2012, make sure the Windows Firewall service is running.
      • Press Windows key + R.
      • Type services.msc and select OK.
      • In Services, right-click Windows Firewall and select Start.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Kristen Tran 2,120 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-27T13:05:01.2366667+00:00

    Hi TESALONICA,

    Based on the error shown in the screenshot, please first repair your Microsoft 365 installation:

    1. Right-click Start and select Installed apps.
    2. Locate Microsoft 365 or Office.
    3. Select the three dots next to it, then choose Modify.
    4. Run Quick Repair first.
    5. If the issue remains, repeat the process and run Online Repair.

    Reference: Repair an Office application

    After the repair is completed, restart the computer and test Word and Excel again.

    If the applications still do not open, please try the other troubleshooting steps provided in the AI answer above, including starting Word and Excel in Safe Mode and checking whether an add-in is causing the issue.

    If the issue continues after completing those steps, please also try the following:

    1. Install the latest Windows updates from Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
    2. If an Office application opens in Safe Mode, install the latest Office updates by selecting File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
    3. If none of the steps resolves the issue, uninstall and reinstall Microsoft 365.

    Since this is a education account, you may need to contact your school’s IT administrator for the required permission or assistance with reinstalling Microsoft 365.

    I hope these steps help you get Word and Excel working again. If you need any further assistance, please let me know.

    Warm regards.

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