How to Start Word in Safe Mode (and When to Use It)

How to start Microsoft Word in Safe Mode to diagnose and fix problems.

Quick Solution

Press Windows + R, type ‘winword /safe’ and press Enter. Safe Mode disables all add-ins and customizations, letting you determine if they’re causing your issue.

Detailed Steps

Identify the problem — Note exactly when the issue occurs and any error messages
Try the quick fix — Apply the solution described above
Start Word in Safe Mode — If the issue persists, press Windows + R, type winword /safe, and test
Check for updates — Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now
Repair Office — If nothing else works, go to Settings > Apps > Microsoft Office > Modify > Online Repair

When to Contact Support

If the issue persists after trying all steps, contact Microsoft Support or visit answers.microsoft.com. Include your Word version (File > Account > About Word) and a description of the steps you’ve already tried.

Prevent This Issue

Keep Microsoft Office updated with the latest patches
Regularly back up important documents
Avoid installing untrusted add-ins
Use .docx format for all documents (not .doc)

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How to Start Word in Safe Mode (and When to Use It)