Have you ever encountered the error message “There is insufficient memory or disk space” when trying to open or save a Word document? If yes, then you are not alone. Many Word users face this problem, which can be very annoying and hinder your productivity.
This error message shows that something is wrong with your system, be it memory, disk space, or Word settings. There are several causes and solutions to this problem, which I will describe in this article.
What Causes “There is insufficient memory or disk space” in Word?
Several factors can cause this error message to appear, such as:
- Insufficient memory. If your system does not have enough memory to run Word and other applications, then you may encounter this error. Memory is an important resource for running programs, and if none is available, then Word cannot function properly.
- Not enough disk space. If your system does not have enough disk space to store Word documents and other files, then you may encounter this error. Disk space is where files are stored, and if none are available, then Word cannot create or save your document.
- Incorrect Word settings. If your Word settings do not suit your system, then you may encounter this error. For example, if you’re using a version of Word that isn’t compatible with your version of Windows, or if you’re enabling a feature that requires a lot of resources, such as Compatibility Mode or Track Changes.
- Corrupted Word file. If your Word file is corrupted or infected with a virus, then you may encounter this error. A corrupted Word file can cause various problems, such as incorrect formatting, missing content, or errors when opening or saving.
How to Fix “There is insufficient memory or disk space” in Word?
To fix this error message, you need to identify the cause and apply the solution. Here are some solutions you can try:
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Solution 1: Check Your Memory and Disk Space
The first step you should do is check if your system has enough memory and disk space to run Word. You can do this in the following ways:
- To check your memory, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Select the Performance tab and look at the Memory section. You’ll see what percentage of memory is being used and how much is available. If the used memory is close to 100%, then you need to close some unnecessary applications or increase your system memory.
- To check your disk space, go to File Explorer and right-click on the drive you want to check. Select Properties and see the General section. You will see how much disk space is being used and how much is available. If the disk space is less than 10%, then you need to delete some unnecessary files or increase your system disk space.
If you have enough memory and disk space, then proceed to the next solution. If not, then try to upgrade both and see if the error message still appears.
Solution 2: Update your Word and Windows
The second step you should take is to make sure that your Word and Windows are updated with the latest versions. The latest version may fix some bugs and issues that might be causing this error message. You can do this in the following ways:
- To update Word, open Word and click File. Select Account and click Update Options. Select Update Now and wait for the process to complete. If no updates are available, then you will see the message You’re up to date!.
- To update Windows, press Windows+I to open Settings. Select Update & Security and click Check for updates. Wait until Windows detects and installs any available updates. You may need to restart your system after the update is complete.
If you’ve already updated your Word and Windows, then move on to the next solution. If not, then try to update both and see if the error message still appears.
Solution 3: Repair Your Word File
The third step you should do is check if your Word file is corrupted or not. If your Word file is damaged, then you need to repair it in the following ways:
- To repair the Word file, open Word and click File. Select Open and locate the Word file you want to repair. Don’t double-click on the file, but right-click and select Open and Repair. Wait for Word to try to repair your file. If it works, then you will be able to open and save your file without any problem. If not, then you may need to use a data recovery tool or professional service to recover your files.
- To prevent your Word file from getting corrupted, there are a few things you can do, such as:
- Save your files periodically and back them up in a safe location.
- Do not force close Word or shut down your system while your file is still open.
- Do not open Word files from untrusted sources or that may contain viruses.
- Do not change the extension of your Word file carelessly.
If you have already repaired your Word file, then proceed to the next solution. If not, then try to repair your file and see if the error message still appears.
Solution 4: Adjust Your Word Settings
The fourth step you have to do is adjust your Word settings to fit your system. Several settings can affect Word performance and cause this error message, such as:
- Compatibility Mode. If you use a newer version of Word to open a Word file created with an earlier version, Word will run in Compatibility Mode. This mode allows you to edit files without changing their format, but it can also limit some features and functions of Word. To disable this mode, open the Word file and click File. Select Info and click Convert. This will convert your file to the latest Word format and disable compatibility mode.
- Track Changes. If you use the Track Changes feature to mark changes that you make to a Word file, Word saves all those changes in the file. This feature can be useful for revising documents, but it can also take up a lot of memory and disk space. To disable this feature, open the Word file and click the Review tab. Click Track Changes and select Off. You can also accept or reject all existing changes by clicking Accept or Reject.
- Add-ins. If you use some add-ins to add additional functionality to the Word, Word loads all those add-ins as it runs. Add-ins can increase your productivity, but they can also cause conflicts or problems with the Word. To disable an add-in, open Word and click File. Select Options and click Add-Ins. Select COM Add-ins from the list of Manage and click Go. Uncheck all add-ins you don’t need and click OK. You can also try to run Word in safe mode, which will disable all add-ins automatically. To do this, press Windows+R to open the Run. Type winword /safe and click OK.
If you’ve already adjusted your Word settings, then try opening or saving your Word file again and see if the error message still appears. If yes, then proceed to the next solution. If not, then you have successfully fixed your problem.
Solution 5: Remove Normal.dotm
The fifth step you can try is to delete the Normal.dotm file, which is the default template for all Word documents. This file can store some Word settings and preferences, but it can also become corrupted or infected with viruses. Deleting this file will make Word create a new, clean, and uncorrupted file. You can delete this file in the following ways:
- Close all running Word applications.
- Go to File Explorer and type %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates in the address bar. Press Enter.
- Find the file named Normal.dotm and right-click on it. Select Delete and confirm your action.
- Open Word and try opening or saving your Word file again.
If you already deleted the Normal.dotm file, then try opening or saving your Word file again and see if the error message still appears. If yes, then proceed to the next solution. If not, then you have successfully fixed your problem.
Solution 6: Reinstall Word
The sixth and final step you can try is to uninstall and reinstall Word from your system. This is the most drastic solution, but also the most effective if all other solutions fail. Uninstalling and reinstalling Word removes all files, settings, and add-ins that might be causing the problem, and replaces them with new, clean versions. You can remove and reinstall Word in the following ways:
- Go to Control Panel and select Programs and Features.
- Find Microsoft Office or Microsoft Word from the list of installed programs and right-click on it. Select Uninstall and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
- Once the uninstall process is complete, restart your system.
- Go to the official website of Microsoft Office or insert the Word installation CD into your drive.
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to install Word back into your system.
- Open Word and try opening or saving your Word file again.
If you have already uninstalled and reinstalled Word, then try opening or saving your Word file again and see if the error message still appears. If not, then you have successfully fixed your problem. If yes, then you may need to contact Microsoft technical support or an IT professional for further assistance.
Conclusion
The error message “There is insufficient memory or disk space” in Word is a common and annoying problem that can interfere with your work with Word documents. However, there are some solutions you can try to fix this issue, such as:
- Check your memory and disk space
- Update your Word and Windows
- Repair your Word file
- Adjust your Word settings
- Remove Normal.dotm
- Reinstall Word
By trying these solutions, you can resolve this error message and continue your work with Word without a hitch. Hope the article was helpful and helpful to you. Thanks for reading.