5 Fixes for “Word Experienced an Error Trying to Open the File” Error in Windows

Quick Tips

• If Word displays an error while opening a specific file, try unblocking or repairing it.
• Add the folder containing your documents as a trusted location in Microsoft Word and see if this helps.
• Open Word in safe mode to check if one of your add-ins is triggering the error.

Fix 1: Unblock Your Word File

Microsoft Word may fail to open a document if it has been altered by third-party software. So, modify its properties to unblock the Word file and fix it. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Right-click on the Word file failing to open and select Properties.

Step 2: Under the General tab, tick Unblock. Then, hit Apply, followed by OK.

Fix 2: Repair the Word Document

Microsoft Word includes a document repair feature that automatically fixes issues with your Word files. You can use it to resolve the “Word experienced an error trying to open the file” message on Windows. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word on your PC. Select Open from the left sidebar and click on Browse.

Step 2: Locate and select your Word file. Then, click the downward arrow next to Open and select Open and Repair.

Microsoft Word will attempt to repair your file and open it.

Fix 3: Mark the Folder Containing the File as a Trusted Location in Word

You might encounter the “Word experienced an error trying to open the file” message while opening your documents from an untrusted folder or drive. To resolve the error, add the folder containing your documents as a trusted location in Microsoft Word.

Step 1: In Microsoft Word, select Options from the left column.

Step 2: In the Word Options window, switch to the Trust Center tab. Then, click on Trust Center Settings on your right.

Step 3: In the Trusted Locations tab, click on Add new location.

Step 4: Click on Browse to select the folder containing your Word files. Then, hit OK.

Fix 4: Open Word in Safe Mode

Word’s add-ins may be acting up and preventing the app from opening your files. You can use Microsoft Word in safe mode to confirm that. To do so, hold down the Ctrl key and double-click on the Word shortcut. Then, select Yes to confirm.

After Word opens in safe mode, open your documents and see if you get any errors. If this solves your problem, it means the add-in that was causing problems got disabled. To isolate the culprit, disable all your add-ins and re-enable them one at a time.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word and select Options from the sidebar.

Step 2: In the Add-ins tab, select COM Add-ins from the Manage drop-down menu and click on Go.

Step 3: Clear all the checkboxes to disable your add-ins and hit OK.

After this, restart Word and enable your add-ins one by one. After enabling each add-in, open a document to identify the one causing the issue.

Fix 5: Run the Microsoft Office Repair Tool

If Microsoft Word fails to open documents in safe mode, run the Office repair tool as a last resort. It can automatically detect and resolve problems with your Office programs, including Word.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Installed apps from the list.

Step 2: Scroll down to locate the Microsoft Office product on the list. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Modify.

Step 3: Select Online Repair and hit Repair.