How to Fix Corrupt Word Document?

by karen minton I am a software engineer

Word is among the most used Office application around the world and reasonably so. The app is versatile and offers several useful functions for everyone. However, in case you have a corrupted Word doc you want to fix, and then follow through the post. So, here are the instructions to fix Word document.

Locate the Damaged File

If you want to locate the damaged file, then you can follow the provided steps.

If it shows an error during the processing.
Odd formatting or incorrect document layout.
If you try to launch the doc, then the system will stop responding.
If the characters are unreadable.
Any abnormal behavior.

Recover the Damaged File Data:

Modify the Doc Template

If you want to modify the data from the damaged file, then pursue the instructions given below.

Get started by launching the damaged Word doc.
After that, you should go to the menu at the top left-hand side of the screen.
Go to Word options.
You should select the Add-Ins option at the left-hand side panel.
Navigate to the Manage menu, choose Templates type and select the Go option.

Normal Document Template

In case the template of the document is normal, then you can follow the provided steps.

To get started, close the damaged document.
Then go to the Start Menu.
Now select the Run option.
Navigate to the Run screen write this path: %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\templates. It will help you to the templates folder.
You should replace the name of ‘Normal.dotm.’ file with Old.dotm.
Now, exit the explorer.
Reboot the computer.

Abnormal Document Template

In case the template of the document is abnormal, then you can follow the provided steps.

To begin with, launch the damaged document.
After that, you should go to Word menu at the top left-hand side of the screen.
Then select Word options.
You should select the Add-Ins type at the left-hand side panel.
Go to Manage, choose Templates type and select the Go button.
Select Attach.
You have to choose Normal.dotm file as of the Templates type and select Open.
Select the OK option to complete the configuration.
Now, close the Word and reboot the computer.

Open Word through Default Settings

If you want to open Word through default settings, then you can follow the provided steps.

First, you have to ensure that Word is shut.
After that, you should launch Start and select Run.
Go to the Run screen and paste the command exe a/.
Now, launch the damaged file.

Check Install a Different Driver or Add a New Printer

If you need to check to install a different driver or add a new printer, then pursue the instructions given below.

First and foremost, go to the Start Menu and select the Control Panel.
After that, you should select ‘Hardware and Sound’.
Then choose ‘View devices and printers’.
Go to ‘Add a printer’.
Navigate to the Add Printer screen, select the ‘Add a local printer’ option.
You have to select ‘Use an existing port and then choose the OK button.
Go to the Manufacturer list and choose Microsoft.
Navigate to the ‘Microsoft XPS Document Writer’ option and then choose the OK button.
Through the suggested driver and select OK.
You should tick the box of ‘Set as the default printer’ and select the Next button.
Now, select the Finish option to complete the configuration.

Using ‘Open and Repair’ Feature of Microsoft Word

If you want to use the ‘Open and Repair’ feature of Microsoft Word, then you can follow the provided steps.

Launch Microsoft Word.
Then you should launch the Word menu and choose the Open option.
Go to the damaged file and click on it once.
Navigate to the Open menu and choose Open and Repair feature.

Convert the Doc to Rich Text Format and after Convert back to Word

Go to the damaged document.
You should launch the Word menu from the top left-hand side of the screen.
Select the ‘Save as’ option and choose ‘Rich Text Format’.
Launch the ‘Rich Text Format’ doc and do the same method.

Make a New Document

If you want to make a new document, then pursue the instructions given below.

Launch Microsoft Word.
After that, go to the Word menu from the top left-hand side of the screen.
Now, you should make a blank document by selecting the New/ Blank Document/ Create.

Copy the Affected Document

If you want to copy the affected document, then you can follow the provided steps.

Navigate to the affected doc.
Then hit Control + END and then hit Control + SHIFT + HOME at once.
You should select the Home option, choose ‘Copy in the clipboard’.
Go to the View button and select ‘Switch Windows’ tab in the Windows group.
You should go to the new doc created before.
Hit the Control + V at once to paste the content in the new doc.

Solve the Issue If the Doc does not Launch:

Launch Affected Doc as a Draft

If you want to launch affected doc as a draft, then pursue the instructions given below.

Launch Microsoft Word.
After that, go to the View button and select Draft in the Document Views group.
Navigate to the Word Options and select Advanced.
Go to the Show Document content field.
Navigate to ‘Select the Use Draft font in Draft Outline views and Show Picture placeholders.
Select the General field, choose to clear the ‘Update automatic links at Open’ and then select OK button and exit the Microsoft Word to complete the configuration.
Now, launch the damaged doc.

Open the Doc as a File in a New Doc on MS Office 2010

If you want to open the doc as a file in a new document on MS Office 2010, then you can follow the provided steps.

Launch Microsoft Word.
After that, go to Word Menu / New / Blank document / Create.
Navigate to the Insert button and select the Insert Object option and then choose ‘Text from File’.
Now, find the damaged file and select the Insert button.

Using ‘Recover Text from Any File’ Feature

If you want to use ‘Recover Text from Any File’ feature, then pursue the instructions given below.

Go to the Microsoft Word.
Then select Word Menu from the top left-hand side of the screen.
Choose Open.
Now, go to the damaged folder and from the File Type menu choose ‘Recover Text from Any File.

Source :- https://helpmcafee.uk.com/how-to-fix-corrupt-word-document/

Kellie minton is an avid technical blogger, a magazine contributor, a publisher of guides at mcafee.com/activate and a professional cyber security analyst. Through her writing, she aims to educate people about the dangers and threats lurking in the digital world.