Microsoft Word is undoubtedly one of the most widely used word processors across the globe. It is a staple tool for many industries, academic institutions, and even regular users at home. However, it’s not immune to technical glitches and errors. In some instances, word processing software can be prone to crashing issues that can be frustrating to the user. Of course, it can be frustrating whenever an error occurs, but being able to troubleshoot the issue immediately makes it a lot more bearable.

So, what causes Microsoft Word to crash on Windows computers? And how can we fix this issue? Let’s take a closer look.

Causes of Microsoft Word Crashing on Windows:

There are several reasons why Microsoft Word can crash on Windows computers. Here are some of the common causes:

1. Outdated software or incompatible software updates

2. Hardware failure or inadequate storage space

3. Incompatibilities with third-party add-ins

4. Corrupted files or fragmented hard drive

5. Glitches or errors within the operating system

These are just a few of the possible factors that can cause Word to crash unexpectedly. However, there are several ways to fix these issues.

Solution 1: Update Microsoft Word

One way to address crashing issues on Microsoft Word is by updating the software. Updates are released to fix bugs, glitches and enhance the user experience. So, if you’re experiencing issues with Word, it’s worth checking if there are any pending updates that need to be installed. To update Word:

1. Launch Word, click on the “File” tab.

2. Click “Account” on the left pane.

3. On the right pane, click “Update Options” and click “Update Now.”

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install any pending updates.

Note: If you’re using an older version of Word, it may be time to upgrade to a newer version to address any compatibility issues.

Solution 2: Disable Add-Ins

Add-ins are third-party tools that integrate with Word to provide additional features or functionality. In some instances, add-ins can conflict with Word, causing it to crash. In such a case, it’s best to disable them to isolate the issue. To disable add-ins:

1. Launch Word, click on “File,” and select “Options.”

2. Click “Add-Ins” on the left sidebar.

3. Under “Manage,” select “COM Add-Ins” and click on “Go.”

4. Clear the checkboxes next to any add-ins installed and click “OK.”

5. Restart Word and observe if the issue still persists.

Solution 3: Check for Corrupted or Fragmented Files

Microsoft Word can crash if there are corrupted files or fragmented hard drives. To resolve this, run the disk cleanup and defragment utility, provided by Windows. To do this:

1. Click on the “Start” menu search bar and type “Disk Cleanup.”

2. Select the “Disk Cleanup” utility to launch it.

3. Select the drive where Word is installed and click “OK.”

4. Select the checkboxes for the files you want to delete and click “OK.”

5. To defragment the hard drive, click on the “Start” menu search bar and type “Defragment.”

6. Click on the “Defragment and Optimize Drives” utility and select the drive you want to defragment.

7. Click “Optimize” to start the process.

Solution 4: Repair Microsoft Office

If none of the above solutions work, the issue may be with Microsoft Office itself. In that case, you may need to repair or reinstall the software to resolve the crashing issue. To repair Microsoft Office:

1. Click on the “Start” menu search bar and type “Control Panel.”

2. Click on “Programs and Features.”

3. Select “Microsoft Office” from the list of installed programs.

4.Click on “Change” and then select “Repair” and click “Continue.”

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.