Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

Sometimes when using Microsoft Office suites, you might receive a few errors that usually hither your work and get you frustrated whether you are trying to save your work or open your file.  Some Microsoft Word users might have received an error while trying to open a file; this error that might occur is the Word error Word experienced an error trying to open the file.

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

What is the cause of the Word error Word experienced an error trying to open the file?

This error usually occurs when opening a Word file in 2007 or 2010 with a recent version of Microsoft Word. The cause of error arises when the file is altered by third-party software during the transmission process, and therefore the file cannot be open.

Word experienced an error trying to open the file

To fix the error, “Word experienced an error trying to open the file,” follow the solutions below.

  1. Unblock the Word file
  2. Disable Protected View Settings
  3. Adding a new Trusted Location

1] Unblock the Word file

Maybe the file is blocked, which is why Word cannot open the file; this usually occurs when you receive a file from Outlook or a similar email client. To unblock the Word file, follow the steps below.

Open Windows File Explorer.

Locate the file that is refusing to open on the computer.

Right-click the file and select Properties.

A Properties dialog box will open.

In the  Properties dialog box, click the Unblock button on the bottom right of the dialog box (if it is available).

Click the Apply button, then click OK.

Try to open the Word file again to see if it will open.

If the issue persists, follow the other solution below.

2] Disable Protected View Settings

The file you are trying to open is likely located in a location that Office considers unsafe, and the only solution is to go into the Trust Center and disable the Protected View settings.

If you are trying to open a .doc file on your computer and continuously denied with an error message saying ‘Word experienced an error trying to open the file’ and you are trying to find a fix for your problem, you are in the right place. ‘Word experienced an error trying to open the file’ is an error which may occur because may be protected view of the Microsoft Word is prohibiting you from accessing the file. Now, users are also complaining about facing these below mentioned issues-


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1. Unable to open Excel Files or Excel attachments- “The file is corrupt and cannot be opened”.
2. Previewer is not working for Word or Excel attachments.

If you are facing one of the above mentioned problem in  your computer go for the solutions. But before going for the solutions, try these initial workarounds-

Initial workarounds–

1. If you are facing this problem for the first time on your computer Restart your computer and after rebooting check if you can access the Word file without the error.
2. Check if any Windows Update is pending or not. If any of the Windows Updates are pending, update your Windows. Now, try to open the file again.
3. If are using any antivirus, try disabling the firewall of the antivirus for a while. Then try opening the file again.

If you are still facing the error with the Word file or attachment , go for these fixes

 

Table of Contents

  • Fix-1 Add a new trusted location-
  • Fix-2 Disable Protected View settings
  • Fix 3 – Unblock the file
  • Fix-4 Open Word in safe mode
  • Fix-5 Repair Office

Fix-1 Add a new trusted location-

You are unable to open the file may be because the location of the file is not included in the Trust Center of MS Word. Follow these steps to add the location of the file in the Trust Center of MS Word-


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1. Open the Word on your computer.

2. Click on the “File” in the menu-bar. Then, click on the “Options“.

 

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

3. On the left-hand side, click on the “Trust Center”

4. Then, click on “Trust Center Settings…“.

 

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

5. Click on “Trusted Locations” on the left side of Trust Center window, then click on “Add new location ” on the right side of the window.

Microsoft Office Trusted Location window will open.

 

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

6. Now, in the Microsoft Office Trusted Location, in the “Path:” option, Enter the drive in which the file is located (in the example ‘C:’ drive is chosen).

7. Check the option “Subfolders of this location are also trusted“.

8. Now, click on “OK” to save the changes.

 

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

Close the MS Word.

Restart your computer and after rebooting try to open the file again. You should be able to open the file without the error.

Fix-2 Disable Protected View settings

You are unable to open the word file or attachment may be because “Protected View” settings of Microsoft Word is causing the problem for you. You can disable the Protected view settings by following these steps-

1. Press Windows key +R to launch Run, and type “winword.exe” and hit Enter.


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 MS Word will open.

 

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

2. Now, in the menu-bar click on “File” and then, on the left side click on “Options” which is at the last.

 

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

3. Now, in the Word Options window, on the left corner of the window click on “Trust Center” and then click on “Trust Center Settings…“.

 

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

4. Now, in the Trust Center window, click on “Protected View” on the left side and then uncheck all the boxes under Protected view section. Then click on “OK” to save the changes. Then, don’t forget to click on “OK” of Word Options window.

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

Close the MS Word. Restart your computer and after rebooting try to open the file again. If still you are unable to open the file, go for the next fix.

Fix 3 – Unblock the file

1 – Right click on the file and click on Properties

 

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

2 – Now, Just Select Unblock Option and click On Apply and OK.

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

If the unblock option is not present then try the methods given below

Fix-4 Open Word in safe mode

1 – Open RUN by pressing Windows and R key together

2 – Type winword /safe in the text field provided and click OK.


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Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

3 – Now , If you feel the issue do not appear in safe mode, then you must disable all extensions in word.

Just , Click on File and then click on Options in left menu

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

4 – Click Add ins from left menu

5 – Now, click Go button located beside COM Add-ins 

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11


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6 – Uncheck all extesnions present in new window and click OK.

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

7 -Now, restart Word and try again.

Fix-5 Repair Office

1 – Press Windows key and R to open run

2 -Now, write appwiz.cpl in it and click OK.

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

3 – Now, right click on Microsoft Office and click change

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

 

4 – Click yes on the prompt

5 – Now, select Online repair and click repair

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

You can also download this PC Repair tool to Locate and Fix any PC issue:
Step 1 - Download the Restoro PC Repair Tool
Step 2 - Click on Start Scan to find and Fix any PC issue automatically.

Word experienced an error trying to open the file Windows 11

Sambit Koley

Sambit is a Mechanical Engineer By qualification who loves to write about Windows 10 and solutions to weirdest possible problems.

How do you fix Word experience an error trying to open the file?

First, right-click the Word file that you have problems with, and click "Property". Click "Unblock", when done, click"OK". (Note: a properly-working Word file does not have an "Unblock" button displayed). Next, you should be able to open this file without further problems.

How do I fix Microsoft Word not opening in Windows 11?

Repair or reinstall Microsoft Office Press the Start button, type Control Panel in the search box, and launch it. Click on Programs and select Programs and Features. Then find Microsoft Office from the installed apps, click the three dots at the front and select Repair from the options, then OK.

How do I repair a Word document in Windows 11?

The Open and Repair command might be able to recover your file..
Click File > Open > Browse and then go to the location or folder where the document (Word), workbook (Excel), or presentation (PowerPoint) is stored. ... .
Click the file you want, and then click the arrow next to Open, and click Open and Repair..

How do I open Word templates in Windows 11?

dotm template as it is for other templates. Within Word, File > Open continues to open the template for editing.