- You can fix Word “bookmark not defined” errors by replacing missing bookmarks.
- Updating fields and contents tables can also prove useful.
- Alternatively, for a possible quick fix, simply use the “Undo” command.
Bookmarks in Microsoft Word are helpful features you can use to easily navigate large or complex documents or to create links and cross-references between different files. Unfortunately, they don’t always work as intended, and you may run into the “Bookmark not defined” error message or the “Reference source not found” error if your bookmarks haven’t been configured correctly.
This guide explains how to fix “bookmark not defined” in Word.
Before You Begin – Make Sure Bookmarks Are Visible
Before we look at any Microsoft Word “bookmark not defined” fix, it’s first important to make sure you’ve turned on visible bookmarks in your Word documents. Here’s how to do that:
Step 1. Open Word and click on “File,” followed by “Options.”
Step 2. Click on “Advanced” then scroll down to find the “Show bookmarks” option. Check the box beside it to enable visible bookmarks, then click on “OK” to confirm.
How to Fix “Bookmark Not Defined” in Word by Replacing the Missing or Broken Bookmark
One of the most common reasons you’ll see the “Bookmark not defined” or “Reference source not found” error is that a bookmark that previously existed has been broken or removed. You can therefore fix the issue by replacing the lost bookmark like so:
Step 1. Right-click on the error message and click on “Toggle field codes.”
Step 2. The error code should then transform to reveal more details about what is wrong. Usually, it will contain the exact name of the missing bookmark.
Step 3. Click on the “Insert” tab, then select “Bookmark.”
Step 4. In the pop-up box, type in the exact name of the bookmark you wish to recover and click the “Add” button.
Step 5. Right-click on the error again and select “Update Field.” The error message should then go away, and the bookmark will be restored.
Resolve the Bookmark Not Defined Error by Updating the Impacted Field
If you’re having “Bookmark not defined” errors in fields like tables of contents, you may be able to quickly resolve them by updating the affected field. This is very simple to do in just two clicks:
Step 1. Right-click on the affected field where the error message has appeared.
Step 2. Select “Update Field” to refresh the field and potentially resolve the issue.
How to Fix Bookmark Not Defined by Switching to Static Text
Converting fields from automated to static text may also help to resolve this error, especially if the error appears multiple times in a list of contents. Note, however, that once you switch to static text, the tables or fields will no longer update automatically. So this method only works on finished documents that don’t need any additional changes.
Step 1. Highlight the fields or tables with the error message(s).
Step 2. Press the “Ctrl,” “Shift,” and “F9” keys to switch to static text.
Fix Word Bookmark Not Defined With the Undo Command
If you notice the “Bookmark not defined” error message pop up suddenly while making a change to your document, another very easy fix is to simply undo whatever action caused the error to appear. You may have inadvertently changed a bookmark or reference, for example. Press “Ctrl” and “Z” together to undo your last action, and repeat the command multiple times, if needed, until the error goes away.
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Basic Fixes
- Restart MS Word: If Word is not printing a document or takes forever to do so, try restarting the app. This will refresh the app and may get rid of the bug that was affecting it.
- Restart Printer: If there’s a connectivity issue with your PC, restarting your printer may help. This establishes a fresh bridge between your PC and the printer.
- Check network connection for wireless printing: If you’re using a wireless printer, ensure you’re not facing any issues with your internet.
- Run one print job at a time: Ensure you have one active printing job at a time. Trying to print multiple documents at once can deplete available memory and CPU for MS Word.
Fix 1: Restart Printer Spool Service
The print spooler, a Windows service managing print jobs, can face problems such as corrupted jobs or errors, affecting printing. Restarting the spooler clears stuck print jobs, enabling new ones to proceed, and resets the spooler, eliminating temporary issues.
Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run menu. Type services.msc and hit the Enter key.
Step 2: It will open the Services menu. Scroll down to Print Spooler . Right-click on it and open the Properties from the context menu.
Step 3: Select Automatic from the Startup type menu and ensure it shows the running service status.
Fix 2: Re-Install Printer Drivers
If the drivers installed on your PC are faulty, it may affect printing jobs within apps. Therefore, try reinstalling the printer drivers on your PC. This will install a fresh version of drivers that may be free from bugs or corrupted components.
Step 1: Open Device Manager from the Start menu.
Step 2: Expand Print queues . Right-click on your printer from the list.
Step 2: Select Uninstall device from the context menu.
Step 5: Close the Device Manager menu and restart the PC.
Your computer will install the required printer drivers during the reboot process.
Fix 3: Remove and Add the Printer
If the printer and its related components are not installed correctly on your PC, you may have issues printing documents. Therefore, try removing the printer from your PC and adding it once again.
Step 1: Open the Settings menu on Windows. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar. Select Printers & scanners from the right pane.
Step 2: Open your printer from the list of devices. Select Remove from the following menu.
Step 3: Now, go back to the Printers & scanners menu and select Add device . Connect your printer and wait for your PC to recognize it.
Fix 4: Export the Document as PDF and Print
If Microsoft Word stops responding when printing, you can move out of the environment and print it externally. You can do so by exporting the document as a PDF and printing the document.
To export the document, click File > Export and select the PDF option. Then, select a destination of your choice to save the document.
Open the saved PDF and try printing the same.
Also Read : Fix printer on Windows keeps printing landscape instead of portrait
Fix 5: Repair Microsoft Office
If Microsoft Office has a bug and Word does not respond when you print, try repairing the app. Your PC can help detect problems with Microsoft Word and quickly fix them.
Step 1: Open the Settings app. Click on Apps in the sidebar and go to Apps & features .
Step 2: Scroll down to find Microsoft Office > click on the three dots next to it > click on Modify .
Step 3: Use the options to repair Microsoft Office and click on Repair . You can repair and fix the issues affecting it.
If none of the above methods work, upload the Word document to Google Docs or Microsoft Office online and print it.
