Word runs into an error

Start Word in Safe Mode first; if it opens there, disable its add-ins, and if it does not, run an Online Repair of Microsoft 365 or Office.

1. Test Word in Safe Mode

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Enter:

      winword /safe
   

3. Select OK.

Be sure there is a space before /safe. Safe Mode starts Word without automatically loading add-ins and other customizations, which identifies whether one of them is blocking startup.^1^

If Word opens in Safe Mode:

1. Select File → Options → Add-Ins.
2. At the bottom, set Manage to COM Add-ins, then select Go.
3. Clear one add-in, select OK, close Word, and start it normally.
4. Repeat until Word opens normally. Leave the problematic add-in disabled, remove it, or obtain an updated version.

Older add-ins such as Abbyy FineReader and Dragon Naturally Speaking are known examples to check first.^2^

2. Repair Microsoft 365 or Office

If Word does not open in Safe Mode:

1. Save your work and close all Office applications.
2. Windows 11: Right-click Start → Installed apps.
   Windows 10: Right-click Start → Apps and Features.
3. Find Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office, or the standalone Word installation.
4. Select the three dots → Modify.
5. For a Click-to-Run installation, select Online Repair → Repair.
6. Follow the prompts, restart Windows if requested, and test Word again.

Online Repair is more thorough than Quick Repair and repairs the entire Office suite, even when only Word is affected. It requires an Internet connection.^3^

3. If the error remains

• If another Office application opens, go to File → Account → Update Options → Update Now. Select Enable Updates first if that option appears.^2^
• If Online Repair also fails, use Microsoft’s Office uninstall troubleshooter and then reinstall Office. The troubleshooter must run on the affected PC and requires Windows 10 or later; it currently cannot uninstall Office 2024.^4^

Avoid manually deleting Office registry keys or installation folders at this stage; Safe Mode and Microsoft’s supported repair/reinstall process are safer.

References

1. Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC | Microsoft Support
2. I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC | Microsoft Support
3. Repair an Office application | Microsoft Support
4. "Something went wrong" error when you try to start a Microsoft 365 app