If you’re experiencing Microsoft Word freezing in Windows 10, it can be a major inconvenience, especially when you’re trying to get work done. This issue often points to an underlying problem that needs to be addressed.
While Microsoft Word is generally reliable and rarely experiences freezing, it’s not immune to issues. Luckily, there are several solutions to try and fix this problem.
In this article, we’ll discuss 7 effective ways to resolve the issue of Microsoft Word freezing in Windows 10, helping you get back to your work without further interruptions.
What is Microsoft Word?
Microsoft Word is a word processing software that’s part of the Microsoft Office suite. It allows users to create, edit, and format text documents. With over one billion users globally, it’s the most widely used word processing program in the world.
Why Does Microsoft Word Keep Freezing in Windows 10?
The issue of Microsoft Word freezing in Windows 10 can be caused by several factors, including software or hardware-related problems:
- Low System Resources: If your computer’s memory (RAM) or processing power is insufficient, Microsoft Word might freeze, especially when multiple programs or browser tabs are running simultaneously.
- Outdated Microsoft Office Version: Using an older version of MS Word or MS Office can cause freezing issues. Updating the app may resolve the problem.
- Malware or Virus Infection: If your computer is infected with malware, it could cause Microsoft Word to freeze. A quality antivirus scan is necessary to address this.
- Corrupted Add-ins: Sometimes, add-ins installed on Word may cause conflicts, leading to freezing.
- Software Conflicts: Other background applications might interfere with Word, causing it to stop responding.
How to Fix Microsoft Word Freezing in Windows 10
Here are seven methods you can try to resolve the issue of Microsoft Word freezing in Windows 10:
Method #1: Restart Your Computer
Sometimes, restarting your computer can resolve many software-related issues. To restart, click the Start button, then the power icon, and select Restart.
Method #2: Run Microsoft Word in Safe Mode
Running Word in Safe Mode disables features that could be causing the issue. Here’s how:
- Click the Start button, type “Word” into the search bar, and right-click Microsoft Word.
- Select Run as Administrator and click Yes when prompted.
- In the Word dialog box, click File > Options > Advanced, and uncheck Enable Safe Mode.
Method #3: Run a Virus Scan
If your computer has a virus, it may cause Microsoft Word to freeze. Run a virus scan by typing “virus” into the search bar, clicking Virus & threat protection, and selecting Scan Now.
Method #4: Disable Add-ins (Disable MS Word Add-ins in Safe Mode)
Add-ins can often be the cause of freezing. To disable them:
- Open Word in Safe Mode by either typing
winword /safein the Run dialog or holding Ctrl while launching Word.
- Click File > Options > Add-ins.
- At the bottom of the window, select COM Add-ins and click Go.
- Uncheck all the add-ins, click OK, and restart Word in normal mode.
If disabling the add-ins resolves the issue, you can re-enable them one by one to identify the culprit.
Method #5: Repair the Damaged Word Document
If Microsoft Word is freezing due to a corrupted or damaged document, you can try repairing the specific document or even repairing the entire MS Office installation.
Repair a Damaged Word Document:
- Open MS Word in Safe Mode (as described earlier).
- Navigate to Open > Browse.
- Locate the damaged Word file in Windows File Explorer.
- Select the file you want to fix and click the Open drop-down arrow at the bottom.
- Choose Open and Repair from the drop-down options.
- Reopen the document with MS Word in normal mode and check if the freezing issue is resolved.
If the freezing issue is fixed after repairing the document, you can proceed with editing your file. If not, continue with the next troubleshooting method.
Method #6: Try Resetting Microsoft Word
If Microsoft Word continues to freeze, you can try resetting it to its default settings. This will remove any customizations or settings you have made, but it could resolve the issue.
To reset Microsoft Word:
- Click the Start button and type “word” into the search bar.
- Right-click Microsoft Word, then click Run as administrator and confirm by clicking Yes.
- In the Microsoft Word dialog box, click the File tab, then select Options.
- Go to the Advanced section.
- Under the General category, click Reset.
- In the Reset Microsoft Word dialog box, click Yes.
This will reset Microsoft Word to its default settings, which may resolve the freezing issue.
Method #7: Repair MS Office Using the Built-in Office Repair Tool
If Microsoft Word continues to freeze after trying the previous solutions, you can use the Office Repair Tool to fix Word freezing issues and other underlying MS Office problems.
To use the Office Repair Tool:
- Press the Windows button to open the Settings application.
- In the Windows Settings menu, select Apps.
- In the left-hand pane, select Apps & features.
- Scroll down the list in the right-hand pane until you find Microsoft Office.
- Click on Microsoft Office and select the Modify button.
- A prompt will appear asking for your confirmation. Click Yes.
- You will see two options to repair MS Word:
- Try Quick Repair first, which will take some time to complete.
- If that doesn’t resolve the issue, try Online Repair.
Once the repair is finished, restart your Windows 10 PC and check if MS Word is functioning properly.
If Word is still freezing after both repairs, proceed with the next solution.
Method #8: Update Microsoft Word
If you’re using an older version of Microsoft Word, it could be causing the Microsoft Word freezing issue in Windows 10. Updating to the latest version might help resolve the problem.
To update Microsoft Word:
- Click the Start button, then type “update” into the search bar.
- Click Check for updates.
- If any updates for Microsoft Word are available, they will be automatically downloaded and installed.
Method #9: Switch the Default Printer
Sometimes, Microsoft Word can experience issues due to third-party software or hardware, including the default printer. If your Windows 10 PC is connected to an incompatible or problematic printer, it might cause Word to freeze.
To fix this, try switching your default printer to one that is compatible:
Steps to change the default printer:
- Open the Start menu and go to the Settings app.
- Navigate to Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Scroll down and uncheck the option “Let Windows manage my default printer.”
- Scroll back up, find Microsoft XPS Document Writer, select it, and click Manage.
- Click Set as Default.
Once you’ve done this, open your Microsoft Word document and check if the freezing issue is resolved.
Method #10: Try Uninstalling and Reinstalling Microsoft Word or Microsoft Office
If Microsoft Word keeps freezing despite trying the previous solutions, reinstalling the application might help by replacing any corrupt or problematic program files. Whether you’re using Word as a standalone app or part of the Microsoft Office suite, follow the steps below to uninstall and reinstall it.
Step 1: Uninstall MS Word or Microsoft Office
- Open the Start menu and type “control panel” into the search bar.
- In the Control Panel, go to Programs and Features.
- Locate MS Word or MS Office in the list.
- Right-click on it and select Uninstall (you can also click Uninstall at the top of the window).
Step 2: Reinstall MS Word or Microsoft Office
- Go to the Microsoft Office website or Microsoft account homepage.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account (the one associated with your MS Office or Word app).
- Select Services and subscriptions from the top tabs.
- Find the MS Office or Word app and click Install to reinstall it on your Windows 10.
- After installation, activate MS Office with your Microsoft account or product key.
Note: If you purchased MS Word or Microsoft Office from a retailer like Ecomkeys.com, contact their support team for help with installation or activation.
Conclusion
These are seven different methods you can try if Microsoft Word keeps freezing in Windows 10.
If you’re still having issues, you can contact Softwarekeep technicians for additional support.
We hope that one of these solutions has helped you resolve the freezing problem. If so, we’re glad we could assist! 😊
Thank you for reading this article, and if you found it helpful, please share it with your friends or on social media—someone else might benefit from it as well!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest tech tips from our blog or help center, plus exclusive deals, promotions, and more straight to your inbox.
MS Word Keep Freezing Windows 10 FAQ
Why Does Word Keep Freezing and Not Responding?
There could be a variety of reasons why Word keeps freezing and not responding:
- Outdated software
- Issues with MS Word settings
- Hardware malfunctions
- Malware infections
You can try simple steps like restarting your computer, running Word in Safe Mode, or resetting Word to its default settings to fix the issue.
What Causes MS Word to Freeze?
Some common causes include:
- Outdated MS Office app
- Virus infection
- Incompatible third-party apps
- Incompatible Windows updates
- Underlying PC issues
- Too many programs consuming resources
- Low RAM on your computer
How Do I Fix Microsoft Word from Freezing?
To fix the freezing issue, you can:
- Scan for viruses
- Restart your computer and Word
- Run Word as an administrator
- Reset MS Word or MS Office
- Disable add-ins
- Repair the damaged Word document
- Use the Office repair tool
- Update MS Word or MS Office
- Switch the default printer
- Reinstall MS Word or MS Office
How Do I Stop Microsoft Word from Crashing?
To stop Word from crashing frequently:
- Keep MS Word updated
- Update Windows OS
- Ensure your computer is virus-free
- Use technical fixes like resetting MS Word, disabling add-ins, or using the Office repair tool
How Do I Stop Microsoft Word from Freezing All the Time?
To prevent frequent freezes, you can:
- Restart your PC to close background apps
- Restart MS Word
- Run Word in safe mode
- Scan for malware
- Disable Word add-ins
- Repair any damaged documents
- Reset MS Word
- Use the Office repair tool
- Update MS Word, your PC’s OS, or your printer driver
- Reinstall MS Word or MS Office if necessary
One more thing
If you’re in search of a software company that embodies integrity and upholds honest business practices, your quest ends here at Ecomkeys.com. As a Microsoft Certified Partner, we prioritize the trust and satisfaction of our customers. Our commitment to delivering reliable software products is unwavering, and our dedication to your experience extends far beyond the point of sale. At Ecomkeys.com, we provide a comprehensive 360-degree support system that accompanies you throughout your software journey. Your trust is our foundation, and we’re here to ensure that every interaction with us is a positive and trustworthy one.
