Complete guide to fixing Microsoft Word not responding issues on Windows and Mac

Microsoft Word is one of the most widely used word processors across the globe, available on both Windows and Mac platforms. Despite its reputation for reliability, many users encounter a frustrating issue: Microsoft Word not responding. This can bring workflow to a halt, especially in time-sensitive tasks.

TL;DR: Word not responding errors on Windows and Mac can occur due to outdated software, add-ins, corrupted files, or system conflicts. This guide walks through troubleshooting methods including safe mode, disabling add-ins, updating Office, and reinstalling if necessary. Most issues can be fixed without technical expertise. Refer to the FAQ at the end for quick fixes and frequent inquiries.

Common Reasons Why Microsoft Word Freezes or Crashes

Understanding why Word becomes unresponsive is essential to choosing the right fix. Here are the most common causes:

  • Outdated Office or OS versions leading to compatibility issues
  • Problematic add-ins or corrupted templates
  • Insufficient memory or CPU usage bottlenecks
  • Corrupted Word documents causing the program to freeze during load
  • Faulty printer drivers, which affect Word performance, especially during printing tasks

Troubleshooting Microsoft Word Issues on Windows

1. Start Word in Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables customizations and add-ins. To open Word in Safe Mode:

  1. Press Windows + R
  2. Type winword /safe and press Enter

If Word opens successfully in Safe Mode, the problem is likely related to add-ins or custom templates.

2. Disable Problematic Add-ins

To disable add-ins:

  1. Open Word (preferably in Safe Mode)
  2. Go to File > Options > Add-ins
  3. At the bottom, choose COM Add-ins and click Go
  4. Uncheck all add-ins and restart Word

Enable them one by one to determine which one causes the issue.

3. Update Office and Windows

Outdated software can cause application freezes. Check for updates:

  • In Word, go to File > Account > Update Options
  • Click Update Now
  • Also check Settings > Windows Update for OS updates

4. Repair Office Installation

A corrupted Office installation may need repair:

  1. Go to Control Panel > Programs & Features
  2. Select Microsoft Office
  3. Click Change and then choose Quick Repair or Online Repair

This can resolve deep-rooted issues without affecting your files.

5. Rename the Normal.dotm Template

The Normal.dotm file stores default settings. If it’s corrupted, it can cause freezes.

  1. Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
  2. Locate Normal.dotm
  3. Rename it to Normal_old.dotm
  4. Restart Word to allow it to regenerate the template

[ai-img]windows task manager, word freezing, office repair[/ai-img]

Fixing Microsoft Word Not Responding on Mac

Mac users also encounter similar problems. Here’s how to resolve them.

1. Force Quit and Restart

If Word is stuck, force quit:

  1. Press Command + Option + Esc
  2. Select Microsoft Word and click Force Quit
  3. Restart the app

2. Start Word Without Add-ins

To identify issues caused by add-ins:

  1. Hold down the Shift key and open Word
  2. This bypasses any add-ins loading with the application

3. Update Office and macOS

  • Open any Office app, go to Help > Check for Updates
  • Apply available updates
  • Also check System Preferences > Software Update for macOS updates

4. Reset Word Preferences

Corrupted preference files can prevent Word from functioning normally.

  1. Close Word
  2. Go to ~/Library/Preferences
  3. Find and delete com.microsoft.Word.plist

Word will generate a fresh file upon next launch.

5. Remove and Reinstall Office

If nothing else works, a clean reinstall might be necessary:

  1. Drag Microsoft Word (or Microsoft Office folder) to the Trash
  2. Empty the Trash
  3. Download and reinstall from the official Office website

[ai-img]macos word crash, reinstall office, library preferences[/ai-img]

Preventing Future Microsoft Word Freezes

To avoid future issues, adhere to these best practices:

  • Always use the latest version of Office and your operating system
  • Limit the number of add-ins installed
  • Save files locally before uploading to cloud drives
  • Back up custom templates in case of corruption
  • After long usage, occasionally restart your computer to free memory

FAQ: Microsoft Word Not Responding

Q1: What does it mean when Word says “Not Responding”?
A: This means the app has stopped communicating with the operating system. It’s typically frozen and may recover or crash.
Q2: Will I lose my work if Word crashes?
A: If AutoRecover is enabled, Word should recover unsaved documents the next time it’s opened.
Q3: How do I enable AutoRecover?
A: In Word, go to File > Options > Save and check “Save AutoRecover information every x minutes”.
Q4: Can third-party antivirus programs cause Word to freeze?
A: Yes, overly aggressive real-time scanning can interfere with Office applications.
Q5: What if Word works in Safe Mode but not normally?
A: The issue is likely related to add-ins, templates, or custom settings.

Microsoft Word issues can range from minor hiccups to frustrating freezes. With the right approach, most can be resolved quickly. By keeping software updated and applying preventive practices, users on both Windows and Mac can enjoy a smooth Word experience.