reports an error when opening a program and has to shut down to repair but never repairs

Mary Lou Jesko 0 Reputation points
2026-09-30T18:29:11.52+00:00

Showing an error when you open word or excel only two we have tried. said it needs to shutdown to repair and never repairs anything. as it does this everytime you try to open a program

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | Other | Windows
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  1. Ferdinand Nanalig 33,405 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-30T20:23:30.31+00:00

    Please try running the Microsoft 365 uninstall troubleshooter found at this link;

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/support/get-help/microsoft-365-troubleshooters

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  2. Ferdinand Nanalig 33,405 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-30T19:03:48.27+00:00

    Hi, let me help you.

    Does it do the same error when you completely restart the computer?

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  3. AI answer

    2026-09-30T18:29:25.8733333+00:00

    This usually means the built-in quick repair is not fixing the Office installation. Use a full Office repair instead.

    1. Restart the device once, then try opening Word or Excel again.
    2. Run an Office repair from Windows:
      • Windows 11/10 Settings path: Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features or Installed apps.
      • Select Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365.
      • Select Modify or Advanced options.
      • Run Repair if available. If that does not fix it, run Online Repair.
    3. If using Control Panel:
      • Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
      • Select the Office product.
      • Choose Change or Repair.
      • Try Quick Repair first, then Online Repair if Quick Repair fails.

    Important: Online Repair repairs the full Office suite and requires an internet connection.

    If Word or Excel still will not open after repair, test whether an add-in is causing the crash:

    1. Start the app in Safe Mode:
      • Press Windows + R
      • For Excel, type excel /safe
      • For Word, type winword /safe
    2. 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
      • If the app opens normally after one add-in is cleared, that add-in is the cause
    3. If the app does not open in Safe Mode, the issue is likely not an add-in. Run Online Repair if not already done.

    If the problem still continues, uninstall and reinstall Office using the Microsoft uninstall troubleshooter, then reinstall Office.

    If files need to be accessed immediately, a temporary workaround is:

    • Open Word or Excel first if possible, then use File > Open to open the document.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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