Word stopped working.

Since Online Repair has already failed, start Word in Safe Mode to determine whether an add-in or startup customization is preventing it from opening.

1. Test Word in Safe Mode

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

      winword /safe
   

3. Select OK. Ensure there is a space before /safe.

Safe Mode bypasses add-ins and other startup components. ^1^

If Word opens:

1. Go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
2. At the bottom, select COM Add-ins under Manage, 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 install an updated version.

If Word Add-ins also appears in the Manage list, test those separately. Microsoft specifically identifies older versions of ABBYY FineReader, PowerWord, and Dragon Naturally Speaking as possible causes. [^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/office/lifecycle/i-get-a-stopped-working-error-when-i-start-office-applications-on-my-pc "I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC | Microsoft Support")

2. If Safe Mode does not open, isolate Word’s templates and settings

Press Windows logo key + R, enter the following, and select OK:

winword /a

The /a switch prevents Word add-ins and global templates from loading and stops Word from reading or modifying its settings files. ^3^

• If /a opens Word: the installation itself can launch, and the problem is associated with a Word startup component, template, or user setting.
• If /a also fails: skip the registry procedure below and proceed to updates and reinstallation.

3. Reset Word’s user settings only if /a works

Registry changes can reset customized Word options and can cause serious problems if performed incorrectly. Export the key before deleting it.

1. Close every Office application.
2. Search Windows for Registry Editor and open it.
3. Navigate to:

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Data
   

4. Right-click Data, select Export, and save it as Wddata.reg.
5. Right-click Data again, select Delete, and confirm.
6. Close Registry Editor and start Word normally.

Word recreates the key with default settings. If this does not help, close Office and double-click the exported Wddata.reg file to restore the original key. ^3^

4. If Word still will not start

1. Install Office updates through another Office application, if Excel or PowerPoint opens:
   File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
2. Run Windows Update and install available updates; Microsoft notes that incompatible device drivers can cause Office startup failures. [^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/office/lifecycle/i-get-a-stopped-working-error-when-i-start-office-applications-on-my-pc "I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC | Microsoft Support")
3. Because Online Repair has already been completed, use Microsoft’s Office uninstall troubleshooter, restart Windows when prompted, and reinstall Microsoft 365. The troubleshooter must run on the affected PC and requires Windows 10 or later. [^2^](https://support.microsoft.com/office/lifecycle/i-get-a-stopped-working-error-when-i-start-office-applications-on-my-pc "I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC | Microsoft Support")

Uninstalling Office removes the applications, not documents stored in normal folders, but ensure important files are backed up before proceeding.

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. How to troubleshoot problems that occur when you start or use Word | Microsoft Support