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.
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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.