How to Repair Microsoft Word 2013: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re experiencing issues with Microsoft Word 2013, such as the application crashing, freezing, or not opening documents correctly, you may need to repair it. Repairing Word can fix corrupted files, missing components, and other problems that can prevent the application from functioning properly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to repair Microsoft Word 2013 on your Windows computer.

Symptoms of a Corrupted or Damaged Word 2013 Installation

Before we dive into the repair process, it’s important to understand the common symptoms of a corrupted or damaged Word 2013 installation. These issues can include:

• Word 2013 not opening or loading documents
• Errors related to missing or corrupt components
• Invisible content in opened documents
• Encrypted data in opened documents
• Word 2013 crashing or freezing after loading documents
• Issues with the Normal.dotm template file
• Errors related to the WINWORD.exe file
• Error messages like “There is a problem while sending the command to a program”
• Word 2013 not loading templates or third-party add-ons

Causes of Word 2013 Problems

Several factors can contribute to Word 2013 problems, including:

• Improper installation of the MS Office suite or Word 2013
• Corruption in the location or partition where Word 2013 is installed
• Damaged Word 2013 documents
• Restarting the PC or turning it off while a Word file was still open
• Manually changing the format of a Word document or converting it from one format to another
• Interference from third-party programs or Word plug-ins
• Word or the system not starting properly
• Word 2013 documents being encrypted or password-protected

Repairing Word 2013 Using the Built-in Repair Tool

Microsoft Word 2013 includes a built-in repair tool that can fix minor issues with documents. Here’s how to use it:

1. Launch Microsoft Word 2013 and go to Menu > File > Open.
2. Navigate to the location of the Word file you want to open.
3. Click the dropdown arrow next to the Open button and select “Open and Repair”.
4. Wait as Word 2013 scans and repairs the file.

Keep in mind that the built-in repair tool is designed to fix minor issues. If your Word 2013 documents are severely damaged, you may need to use a third-party repair tool like Wondershare Repairit.

Repairing Office 2010 or Office 2013 Using the Control Panel

If you’re experiencing issues with other Office applications, such as Excel or PowerPoint, you can repair the entire Office suite using the Control Panel. Here’s how:

1. Go to Start > Control Panel.
2. Double-click to open “Programs and Features”.
3. In the program list, select the “Microsoft Office” version installed on your computer and click “Change” from the top.
4. At the next screen, check the “Repair” option and click “Continue”.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.

Depending on your Office installation type (Click-to-run or MSI-based), you may see different options for the repair process. Follow the steps specific to your installation type.

Using a Third-Party Repair Tool

If the built-in repair tools don’t resolve your Word 2013 issues, you can use a third-party repair tool like Wondershare Repairit. This advanced tool can fix severely damaged or corrupted Word documents, including issues with text, images, headers, footers, formatting, comments, and more. Here’s how to use Wondershare Repairit:

1. Download and install Wondershare Repairit on your computer.
2. Launch the application and select the “File Repair” mode.
3. Click “Add Files” and select the damaged Word document you want to repair.
4. Click “Repair” to start the repair process.
5. Once the repair is complete, preview the repaired document and save it to your desired location.

Wondershare Repairit supports various Word document formats, including .doc, .docx, .dot, and .dotx, and is compatible with Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Office 365.

Conclusion

Repairing Microsoft Word 2013 is a straightforward process that can resolve a wide range of issues, from corrupted files to missing components. By using the built-in repair tools or a third-party solution like Wondershare Repairit, you can get your Word 2013 application back up and running smoothly. Remember to always back up your important documents before attempting any repairs, and consider using a reliable antivirus program to prevent future corruption issues.