Microsoft Word Keeps Freezing And Not Responding Mac

Summary

Does your Word document keep freezing and crashing all the time? If you have this kind of trouble, this article will guide you to fix the frozen Word docunment with effective solutions. Follow the solutions below and fix the frozen Microsoft Word document.

Feb 22, 2020 Microsoft Word Keeps Freezing, Not Responding 'I am using Windows 10 with the latest updates installed for both OS and office suite. My Microsoft 2016 works well all the time. However, when I used Word 2016, it kept freezing and crashing! I opened my coursework in Word 2016. After 10 minutes' working, the Word file froze, saying 'not responding'. Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working. Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working. Microsoft does not recommend that you attempt to change your antivirus settings. Use this workaround at your own risk. Start Word, and then check whether the problem still occurs. If the problem still occurs, quit Word, and restore the file to its original location. Then, go to the next step. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the com.microsoft.Word.prefs.plist file to the trash. On the Go menu, click Home. Open Library. Jan 26, 2016  Microsoft word keeps freezing on my mac. I checked for updates and it is up to date. Excel works just fine, - Answered by a verified Mac Support Specialist We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Feb 18, 2012  Word keeps freezing and I have to Force Quit! Very frustrating. I keep having the same problem with Microsoft Office for Mac (I have Mac OSX 10.7.3) on my previous Macbook and now on.

Workable SolutionsStep-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Disable COM Add-insPress Windows + R keys and type: winword.exe /a and hit Enter to open MS Word without plugins..Full steps
Fix 2. Repair Office installationManually repair Office installation with programs and features or use a third-party word repair tool..Full steps
Fix 3. Repair corrupted template Close Word > go to Start > Run > Type %appdata%microsofttemplates > Enter..Full steps
Fix 4. Run Word in Safe ModePress Windows + R keys, type: word /safe, and hit Enter. Check if you can open the Word application..Full steps
Fix 5. Reinstall MS OfficeOpen Control Panel, click 'Program and Features', then select Microsoft Office. Click 'Uninstall'..Full steps

Microsoft Word Keeps Freezing, Not Responding

'I am using Windows 10 with the latest updates installed for both OS and office suite. My Microsoft 2016 works well all the time. However, when I used Word 2016, it kept freezing and crashing!

Repairing your Office programs can resolve issues with PowerPoint not responding, hanging, or freezing by automatically repairing errors in the file. Close any Microsoft Office applications that are running. Open Control Panel, and then open Programs and Features.

I opened my coursework in Word 2016. After 10 minutes' working, the Word file froze, saying 'not responding'. Is there anybody that can help me get out of this situation?'

Before you start dealing with the Word document freezing problem, you'd better learn what has lead to the freezing problem. Here are possible causes:

Word
  • Damage to MS Office settings or installation - the main cause of Word application crash/freezing while opening DOC file in Word
  • Presence of third-party add-ins in Word program - a common cause that may results in freezing of Word on startup
  • Software conflicts in the Windows while editing any document in Word tool can affect the application and makes it unresponsive or freeze
  • Malware intrusion incorrect installation of Word program, the presence of bad sectors in the location where Word program and documents are saved, abnormal termination of Word, etc can all bring on freezing of MS Word documents

Knowing the exact causes of why the Word document keeps freezing will effectively help to find the right solution and make Word work again. Check the provided methods below to bring your Microsoft Word back to life immediately:

Part 1. Fix the Frozen Microsoft Word Document (5 Fixes)

This part includes 5 verified solutions that are able to assist you in fixing frozen Word:

Method 1. Disable COM Add-ins in Microsoft Office

Step 1. Press Windows + R keys and type: winword.exe /a and hit Enter to open MS Word without plugins.

Step 2. Click 'File' > 'Options' > 'Add-Ins'.

Step 3. Click 'Manage' and select COM Add-ins, click 'Go' to uncheck the problematic ones and click 'OK' to confirm.

After this, restart Word to check if the issue has been resolved.

Method 2. Repair Office Installation

To repair the frozen Word, you have two options to repair the Office installation: 1. Manually repair Office; 2. Use a third-party Office repair tool.

Select either option to repair your MS Office and make the Word application to work again.

Option 1. Manually Repair Office Installation with Programs and Features

Step 1. Open Control Panel, click 'Programs and Features', locate and select your Microsoft Office.

Step 2. Click 'Change' in the top menu.

Step 3. Click 'Repair' and then 'Continue' on the pop-up window.

For Newer versions of Microsoft Office users, choose 'Online Repair'or 'Quick Repair' and click 'Repair'.

Step 4. Wait for the repair process to finish and restart your computer.

After this, restart Word application to see if you can create or edit a document file.

Option 2. Use A Thrid-Party Word Repair Tool

To instead of the manual method, you can also search the Word repair or Office repair tool online.

You'll find multiple types of repairing tools available to provide Office repairing service, making Word application work again.

Method 3. Repair or Replace the Corrupted Normal.dot Global Template File

# 1. Repair Corrupted Template

Close Word -> Go to Start -> Run -> Type %appdata%microsofttemplates -> Enter -> browse for Normal.dotm file and rename it as oldNormal.dotm and reload Word.

# 2. Replace Normal.dot Global Template File

Step 1. Press Windows + X and select 'Command Prompt (Admin)'.

Sign in if the program requires administrator permission.

Step 2. Enter the command below and hit Enter:

Step 3. Wait for the command to finish and exit Command Prompt.

Method 4. Run Office Word in Safe Mode

Step 1. Press Windows + R keys, and type: word /safe. Hit Enter to launch Microsoft Office into Safe Mode.

Step 2. Check if you can open the Word application or create a new file in Word.

If yes, the problem got resolved. If not, continue with the following steps.

Step 3. Open Word, go to 'File' and select 'Options'.

Step 4. Click 'Advanced', scroll down to Show Document Content, and select 'Show picture placeholders'. Click 'OK' to save the changes.

After this, restart MS Office. Check if you can run Word and edit files again.

Method 5. Uninstall and Reinstall MS Office

Note: Make sure that your activation key can be used twice before taking the below steps. Find your serial key and save it in a text document.

Step 1. Open Control Panel, click 'Program and Features', then locate and select Microsoft Office.

Step 2. Click 'Uninstall' in the top menu.

Step 3. Re-install Microsoft Office on your PC and activate it with your serial key.

If your old key fails to activate the newly installed MS Office, please contact the Microsoft support team for help.

Part 2. Recover Lost or Saved Word Document

If your freezing Word document gets lost after you have tried the 5 solutions above, you can try data recovery software or use its AutoRecover feature in Microsoft Office to restore your lost files with simple clicks.

# 1. Restore Lost Word with File Recovery Software

Applies to: Recover disappeared or lost files (saved on local PC) due to frozen Word application or other errors.

First, Download and install reliable file recovery software, such as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, on your PC.

Next, go through the next 3-step tutorial to bring lost Word documents back:

Step 1. Choose the Word file location.

Do you know where you lost Word files? Choose the hard disk drive or a specific folder and click the San button. If it's on a USB flash drive or SD card, take one more step to connect it to your computer.

Step 2. Scan all lost data.

What To Do When Word Stops Responding

The software will start immediately scanning all lost data on the selected drive, and you'll see more and more data showing up in the scan results. After the scan, use the quickest way to the wanted Word documents by choosing 'Documents' from the drop-down list in 'Filter'.

Step 3. Select Word files and recover.

You're allowed to preview a Word file if you have Microsoft Word application installed on your computer. Finally, select the desired documents and click 'Recover'.

# 2. Recover Unsaved Word File

Microsoft Office contains an AutoRecover feature which will automatically save the temporary file of an editing document to a local folder on your computer.

Only if you have enabled the Auto-Save option, you can effectively retrieve the Word file which got closed without saving:

For Windows users, refer to this link and recover unsaved Word documents.

Microsoft Word Keeps Freezing And Not Responding Mac Os

If you use a Mac computer, please follow this link and recover lost Word documents on Mac.

Bonus Tips to Backup and Protect Word File

If you are looking for a direct solution to fix the Word freezing issue, you can stop here. You've finished all the tasks.

If you prefer a comprehensive plan to protect important and valuable Word documents, it's smart of you to follow below tips and create a full backup plan for MS Office Word:

# 1. Set Automatic Backup Plan for Saved Word and Other Files

Applies to: Back up saved Word file on your local drive.

Reliable file backup software like EaseUS Todo Backup can help you effectively back up important Word files on a local drive with ease.

By setting an automatic backup plan to an external USB or a local drive, all your saved Word, Excel, PowerPoint, images, videos, emails, etc., will be fully protected.

Application won't open on mac. If the problem still occurs, quit Word, and then restore the file to its original location. Then, go to the next step. If the problem seems to be resolved, you can move the com.microsoft.Word.plist file to the trash. Quit all Office for Mac applications. On the Go menu, click Home. Open Library. Mar 21, 2017  I'm on a Mac and Microsoft Word will not let me quit Microsoft Word. Even if I I reboot my computer, it still is - Answered by a verified Mac Support Specialist We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Jan 05, 2011  Question: Q: Microsoft Word wont Quit. Many times, after using Microsoft Word for Mac, I have to select 'force quit' from the Word icon in the dock to close it - 'quit' is not available as an option. 24' iMAC, Mac OS X (10.6.5) Posted on Jan 5, 2011 9:08 AM. Mar 19, 2020  If there is a problem with any program not responding, OS X provides the option to Force Quit that particular program rather than having to shut down the Mac. Go to the Apple menu & select Force Quit, then select the program that isn't responding & click the Force Quit button.

# 2. Enable Auto-Save Feature to Protect Editing Word Documents

Applies to: Autosave the editing Word document.

Microsoft Word Keeps Freezing And Not Responding Mac Fix

Step 1. Open MS Word application and create a new file, click 'File' > 'Option'.

Step 2. Click 'Save' and check the below two boxes:

  • 'Save AutoRecover information every * munites' (set a time for autosave - every 2 or 5 minutes will be good)
  • 'Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving'

Step 3. Click 'OK'to confirm.

Summary

If you meet Microsoft Word not responding problem when saving and don't what do to, calm down, try the solutions provided here. Not only can you learn how to solve the problem, but also you can recover the unsaved Word document without data loss. What's more, a professional data recovery tool is highly recommended to help you restore the deleted Word document with a high success rate.

Word 2016 Doesn't Respond When Saving

'I was working on a paper for school last night. But Word suddenly stopped responding when I tried to save the document. Is it possible to save my work before I force Word to close? I'm using Word 2016 on a Windows 10 computer.'

Usually, when Microsoft Word crashes or freezes, it throws a frustrating error message 'Microsoft word not responding' or ' Microsoft Word has stopped working'. When facing this issue, one has no other option but to force quit the program. It's a disaster if you haven't saved your Word file!

To help you out, this page shows you how to fix Microsoft Word when it doesn't respond and recover unsaved Word document on Mac and Windows.

Workable SolutionsStep-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Disable the Add-insClick File > Choose Word Options > Click Add-ins > Click Manage: Com-in Add and Go..Full steps
Fix 2. MS Office Application RecoveryGo to Start > Choose All Programs > Choose Microsoft Office Tools > Click MS Office Application Recovery..Full steps

What to Do When Microsoft Word Is Not Responding

You can disable the Add-ins to avoid Word not responding problem. Then, use the Microsoft Word Recovery feature to recover the unsaved Word document on Windows 10/8/7.

Fix 1: Disable the Add-ins

One of the main factors that might be responsible for Word not responding issue is usually due to an incompatibility with the third party Add-ins. Therefore, we advise you to disable the Add-ins to check if this is the cause of the issue.

1) Go to File > Word Options > Add-ins Tab.
2) Click the 'Go' button near the drop-down box named 'Manage: Com-in Add'.
3) Click the checkbox to disable any add-ins listed there and click 'OK'.

Fix 2: Try MS Office Application Recovery

Another handy solution you can try to fix Microsoft word not responding error and recover unsaved document is using MS Office Application Recovery feature.

1) Go to Start > All Programs > Microsoft Office Tools > MS Office Application Recovery.
2) Choose the document that's not responding when you see a list of currently running office applications.
3) Click the option 'Recover Application' and recover the document you were working on.

Applying MS Application Recovery utility is one of the many methods to recover unsaved Word document on Windows 10. You can follow the link and check all-sided resolutions to restore unsaved Word file because of Word crash, freezing, error code, or accidental closure.

Bonus Tip: Use EaseUS Recovery Software to Recover Lost Word Document

If your Word document is saved but lost due to accidental deletion, storage device formatting, virus attack, or system crash, you can't get it back using the ways for restoring unsaved files. But the loss of Word file frequently happens for most users; then how to recover deleted Word document? Using EaseUS hard drive recovery software Now. This file recovery program allows you to recover lost DOC/DOCX, XLS/XLSX, PPT/PPTX, PDF, HTML/HTM, CWK, as well as photos, audios, videos, emails, and other 200 + types of files.

Except for recovering files from the internal hard drive of the computer, this capable data recovery software is still good at recovering data from SD card, CF card, external hard drive, USB flash drive, Pen drive, and so on.

Now, download and use EaseUS file recovery tool to retrieve lost Word document within three steps.

Step 1. Choose the Word file location.

Do you know where you lost Word files? Choose the hard disk drive or a specific folder and click the San button. If it's on a USB flash drive or SD card, take one more step to connect it to your computer.

Keeps

Step 2. Scan all lost data.

The software will start immediately scanning all lost data on the selected drive, and you'll see more and more data showing up in the scan results. After the scan, use the quickest way to the wanted Word documents by choosing 'Documents' from the drop-down list in 'Filter'.

Step 3. Select Word files and recover.

You're allowed to preview a Word file if you have Microsoft Word application installed on your computer. Finally, select the desired documents and click 'Recover'.

Useful Tips to Avoid Microsoft Word Not Responding Error

  • Protect your PC from Virus and Malware
  • Protect your PC from an unexpected power surge
  • Never close the Word document suddenly
  • Don't use the Microsoft Office program on a mapped network drive

Microsoft word not responding error might cause an unrecoverable data loss disaster, which is the last thing that you want to happen in this world. Remember all these tips will help you stay far away from such a problem.