Microsoft Word is a critical tool for many users, but encountering issues where it stops working on Windows 10 can disrupt productivity. This issue often arises due to corrupted files, outdated software, or conflicts within the Office installation.
1. Restart Microsoft Word and Your Computer
Before diving into complex solutions, start with the basics. Close Microsoft Word and restart your computer. This simple step can resolve temporary glitches caused by system overload or memory issues. If Word continues to crash, proceed to the next steps.
2. Run Microsoft Office in Safe Mode
Safe Mode allows you to run Microsoft Word without loading add-ins or custom settings that might cause conflicts. To open Word in Safe Mode:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type winword /safe and press Enter.
- If Word opens successfully, the issue may be caused by an add-in or customization. Disable add-ins one by one to identify the culprit.
3. Repair Microsoft Office Installation
Corrupted installation files are a common cause of Microsoft Word crashes. Windows 10 provides a built-in repair tool to fix Office installation issues:
- Open the Control Panel and navigate to Programs > Programs and Features.
- Select Microsoft Office from the list and click Change.
- Choose Repair and follow the on-screen instructions. This process may take several minutes.
After the repair is complete, restart your computer and check if Word functions properly.
4. Update Microsoft Office and Windows 10
Outdated software can lead to compatibility issues and crashes. Ensure both Microsoft Office and Windows 10 are up to date:
- Open any Office application (e.g., Word) and go to File > Account.
- Under Product Information, click Update Options > Update Now.
- For Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
Installing the latest updates can resolve bugs and improve stability.
5. Disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration
Hardware graphics acceleration can sometimes cause conflicts with Microsoft Word. Disabling this feature may resolve crashes:
- Open Word and go to File > Options.
- Select Advanced and scroll down to the Display section.
- Check the box for Disable hardware graphics acceleration and click OK.
Restart Word to see if the issue is resolved.
6. Reinstall Microsoft Office
If none of the above steps work, consider reinstalling Microsoft Office. This ensures a clean installation free from corrupted files:
- Uninstall Office via Control Panel > Programs and Features.
- Download the latest version of Office from the official Microsoft website.
- Follow the installation instructions and activate your product.
Reinstalling Office can resolve persistent issues and restore functionality.