My word file keep saying "found unreadable content...". I have no idea why, but I really need to get the text back in the document. Is this possible?

Hadia Mehmood 20 Reputation points
2025-12-09T09:46:09.67+00:00

I cannot enter the file at all. I tried converting it to any other form, but it simply won't load. And then I tried printing it out but yet again, that didn't work either because the file won't load. I tried opening it in Google Docs, but it just recommended me other sites. So finally I went on zoho.eu, and there it at least opened but it was all weird codes and symbols and none of my original text. Example: ཕ됩յ�$�衁;ʔ6�FBhoڅi?�輹f}>ۅ(փ*亹ݤ-Ʈ]凹���k�ұ֤ۨ7�"oޗ��٨�rtꀷ�+q^mþyDȒ�l��o}p��𬑲5֣�.

(PS: don't know if this is important, but the original file was in Norwegian).

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For education | Windows
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Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2025-12-09T12:59:24.0566667+00:00

Hi @Hadia Mehmood,    

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.   

Regarding that your Word file can't open properly. I’d like to gather a few details to better understand your situation and assist you effectively: 

  • Does this issue occur with all Word files or just this specific one? 
  • Was the file saved locally on your device, or did you receive it from someone else? 
  • If possible could you provide me a screenshot of the error ? (Feel free to hide any privacy information) 
  • Does the issue occur on a different device? 

In the mean time you could try to "Open and repair" the file: 

Launch Microsoft Word, go to "Open" then choose "Browse" 
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Find that file then choose "Open and repair" to see if you can open that file 

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Change the file to read-only 

First find the file right click on it then choose properties 
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Uncheck the read only box 

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Thank you again for your time and understanding. While my initial response may not resolve the issue immediately, I’d like to gather more details about your situation so I can assist you more effectively.       

I really appreciate your patience, and I’m here to help. Looking forward to your response!       

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".       

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  1. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-12-11T10:20:57.97+00:00

    If you upload a copy of the document and provide a link to it, I will see if I can recover it for you.

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    3 people found this answer helpful.

  2. AI answer

    2025-12-09T09:46:22.2366667+00:00

    If your Word document is displaying the message "found unreadable content," it indicates that the document may be corrupted. Here are some steps you can try to recover the text:

    1. Open with Notepad: You can attempt to open the document using Notepad. This method will strip all formatting but may allow you to recover the text:
      • Locate the damaged document using Windows File Explorer.
      • Right-click the document and select Open with > Notepad.
      • Clean the text by deleting any extra characters and save it as a new file.
    2. Recover Text from Any File: Word has a feature that allows you to recover text from any file:
      • Open Word and select File > Open.
      • In the Files of type dropdown, select Recover Text from Any File (.).
      • Choose your document and open it. Note that formatting will be lost, but you may recover some text.
    3. Try Different File Formats: If you can open the document, try saving it in different formats:
      • Open the document, then go to File > Save As and choose Rich Text Format (*.rtf) or Plain Text (*.txt).
      • After saving, try reopening the file in Word and see if it resolves the issue.
    4. Copy Undamaged Parts: If you can open the document but it still behaves strangely, try copying the undamaged parts to a new document:
      • Create a new blank document in Word.
      • Open the damaged document and copy the content that appears normal into the new document.
    5. Update Software: Ensure that your Microsoft Office and Windows are up to date, as many issues can be resolved through updates.

    If these methods do not work, the document may be severely corrupted, and recovery might not be possible. However, trying these steps can often help in retrieving at least some of the content.

    References:

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

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