MS Word - solving some common problems.

When MS Word is working, it’s a versatile and useful tool. However, Word can often play up and refuse to work properly. Here are some simple steps you can take that will usually solve the vast majority of basic Word problems.


1. The first thing to look at is Normal.dot. This is the Global Template that Word uses to create blank documents, so it’s always open and in use. It’s also where you can store macros and other settings such as custom toolbars. This template can often become corrupted for no good reason. This can cause Word to crash. The cure? Delete your Normal.dot file. When Word starts it will look for this file, but if not found it will simply create a new one. Normal.dot is a hidden file so you need to show your Hidden/System files before deleting it. To do this, follow these instructions, depending on your Operating System:

XP/2000 - Go to My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > View tab and make sure that Show hidden files and folders is enabled. Also make sure that the System files and Folders are showing / visible. Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files option.

ME - Open My Computer. Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options. Select the View Tab. Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Show hidden files and folders. Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files option. Click Yes to confirm. Click OK.

Win98 - Open My Computer. Select the View menu and click Folder Options. Select the View Tab then select Show all files in the Hidden files section. Click OK.

Win95 - Open My Computer > Select the View menu and click Options. Select the View Tab then select the Show all files button. Click OK.

Now go to Start > Search > All Files/Folders and type normal.dot in the box and click Search. Delete the file when it’s found.

Now start Word again and you’ll find you have a new Normal.dot file. Remember to reverse the above instructions to re-hide your system files again.

2. Anti Virus programmes can also affect Word. Try turning your AV off if you have a problem opening Word files and make sure that the option to scan files on opening or similar is turned off. Norton™ users please refer to this Microsoft® Help article..


3. Word requires you to have a printer installed – yes, it is a requirement! Word will sometimes query the printer driver when formatting. So, it’s possible your printer driver may be at fault. If you are having general problems printing you may need to re-install or update your printer driver.



4. A corrupt Registry key can cause problems. The easiest way to resolve this is to delete Word’s Registry key.
Ensure Word is shut down before following these instructions.

CAUTION: Always back up your Registry before making any changes!

Go to Start > Run and type regedit then click Enter. On the menu bar click File > Export and choose a name and location for your backup. Then click Save. Your Registry has now been backed up.

Now navigate, just as you would in Windows Explorer, to this key

My ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOfficeX.XWord

where X.X is your version of Word.

Word 2000 is version 9.0
Word XP/2002 is version 10.0
Word 2003 is version 11.0

Expand Word and right click on Data. Select Delete from the shortcut menu and answer Yes to the message box. Close the Registry Editor.
Now start Word. It may take a bit longer to open than usual, but that’s because it’s re-registering itself in the Registry.

5. Run Detect and Repair. This utility is run from Word. On the menu bar go to Help > Detect and Repair.
Note: Do not insert your Office CD until the Repair utility requests you to do so!



This article cannot possibly cover all potential errors that can occur with Word, it does however, cover those problems that users report most frequently.
Should none of the suggestions contained in this article help you; then, please post in the TSF MS Office Forum – where somebody else may have had a similar problem and have the knowledge to help you resolve your issue.