5 Fixes For “Word Experienced An Error Trying To Open The File” Error In Windows

• 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 .

Was this helpful?

• Outlook saves its print settings in the Outlprnt file. Deleting the file can help fix print issues.
• Sometimes, Outlook plugins and extensions can interfere with the printing. Removing them can help you fix the issue.
• Ensure the email is completely downloaded before you can print it.

Try Basic Fixes:

• Restart Outlook: When Outlook relaunches, it loads all the modules, including extensions. This ensures that if Outlook or any of its modules are stuck, they will start working.
• Reset hardware connection : Powering off a printer might clear temporary issues, such as a print job stuck in the queue or a minor error.
• Update the Outlook app: If the Outlook app and Windows settings are out of sync, especially after a Windows update, check if an update is available for the app.

Fix 1. Check the Default Printer

Sometimes, we select a printer and wait to realize it isn’t the default printer. Windows Settings can quickly fix this, or you can manually select the printer whenever you print.

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2: Select Bluetooth & devices from the sidebar. Select Printers & scanners from the right pane.

Step 3: Find the connected printer from the list and click on it.

Step 4: Select the Set as default button from the following menu. Open Outlook and try to print the attachment again.

Fix 2. Save the Document and Print It From File Manager

If Outlook still gives you trouble printing an attachment, you can save the document locally on the PC and print it.

Step 1: Download the attachment from Outlook or choose the Save as option, and save it on your PC.

Step 2: Use the File Manager to find the document and double-click to launch it in the Microsoft Edge browser or any PDF app.

Step 3: Look for a printer icon and use it to print the document.

Fix 3. Run Printer Troubleshooter

A built-in Windows troubleshooter can reset some printer parameters, which can help you start printing again.

Step 1: Open the GetHelp App using the Start menu.

Step 2: Type printer troubleshooting in the text box, showing you the Printer troubleshooter .

Step 3: Launch the wizard and let it complete the process. Once done, open the Outlook app again and try printing a document.

Fix 4. Uninstall Printer Drivers

At times, corrupt or outdated printer drivers can lead to such issues. You can reinstall printer drivers and try your luck again.

Step 1: Right-click the Windows key and open the Device Manager from the menu.

Step 2: Scroll down and expand the Print queues listing.

Step 3: Right-click on the printer with which you have the issue and select Uninstall device from the context menu. This will also Uninstall the driver.

Alternatively, follow this guide to remove the printer and uninstall the driver .

Step 4. Confirm your decision and restart the PC. Once you log into your account, Windows will install the default driver for the driver. Check if you can print from Outlook.

Fix 5. Wait for Emails to Download Completely

If an email contains too many elements, such as images from external sources or linked documents, and you start printing as soon as it arrives, it might cause an issue.

It’s best to wait for the download to complete; you can see no broken images, etc. For such emails, it’s best to wait for the download to be complete and then print it.

Fix 6. Troubleshoot Outlook Com-Addins And Extensions

Some Com-Addins and extensions can interfere with the print experience. It would be best to remove and disable them and troubleshoot.

Step 1: Open the Run prompt using Win + R, type Outlook /safe , and press Enter .

Step 2: Once Outlook launches, check if you can print. If it works, check which extension is causing the problem.

Step 3: Launch Outlook the usual way > go to File > Options > click on Add-ins .

Step 4: Click the Go button next to COM Add-ins to open a list of installed Addons and extensions .

Step 5: Select the one to uninstall from the checked list and click the Remove button. Once you’ve done this, try to print. Repeat the steps until you find the one causing the issue.

Fix 7. Delete the OutlPrnt file (Print Settings)

The OutlPrnt file stores printer settings. If the file becomes corrupt, the print function will not work as intended. However, if you delete the file, it will be recreated.

Step 1: Go to %AppData%/Microsoft/Outlook using the Run prompt.

Step 2 : Locate the OutlPrnt file and permanently delete it.

Step 3: Relaunch Outlook and check if you can print a file.

Was this helpful?