Microsoft Word files are among the most stable files on the computer system. However, they too are vulnerable to damage and corruption. If a Word file becomes corrupted, it would become unresponsive and in severe cases might not open at all. Moreover, Microsoft Word will start displaying error messages if there is anything wrong with the Word file. Each error message generated by MS Word is for a specific problem. These error messages are going to provide you with insights into what is wrong with the Word file.
Word file problems that are caused by corruption are hard to fix. Although MS Word has an automatic repair process that it employs for repairing the word file if it does not open properly, it seldom works. You will have to manually fix the Word file if the automatic recovery process of MS Word fails. In cases where manual repair of the Word file is not possible, it becomes necessary to make use of Word repair software. This software is going to help you in repairing the damage that the Word file has suffered at the hands of the corruption and will attempt to restore all of its contents.
Part 1: Top 5 Best Word Repair Software for Corrupted Word Files
1. Wondershare Repairit - File Repair for Word Repair
Wondershare Repairit File Repair is the best word file repair tool available in the market right now. It is a very robust software that can safely recover the contents of the corrupt MS Word file. Being compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X, this Word repair software can be used for restoring the contents of corrupted Word files on both operating systems.
Features of Wondershare Repairit
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Repair damaged files with all levels of corruption, including blank files, files not opening, unrecognizable format, unreadable content, files layout changed, etc.
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Provide an easy fix option for text, images, font, hyperlinks, header, footer, etc.
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Perfectly repair corrupted files with a very high success rate, without modifying the original file.
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No limit to the number and size of the repairable files.
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Support Office 365, MS Word 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and earlier versions.
Steps to Repair Corrupt Word File
This tutorial has been formulated to offer the Word Repair Tool -- Wondershare Repairit's users the opportunity to see how they can use this word repair software for repairing corrupt Word files.
Step 1: Load your files on the Wondershare Repairit.
With File Repair function to add corrupt Word files from local drive to repair.
Step 2: Start repairing process .
All corrupt Word files will display in the result section, select multiple files to start the repairing process.
Step 3: Preview and save files.
Preview the repaired corrupt files and save them to your preferred location.
Pros
High success rate in recovering and repairing corrupted files, including Miscroft Office documents, Adobe and Zip files.
Maintains the original formatting and layout of the document after repair.
Offers a preview feature to check the repaired files before saving.
Cons
The free version has limited functionality compared to the paid version.
2. Repairmyword:
Repairmyword is a Word repair software that is capable of repairing damaged Word files. It can help you in recovering text from corrupted Word files. Repairmyword has a simple user interface and can be used by anyone with consummate ease. However, this word file repair tool is only capable of repairing .doc files. It will not be able to repair corrupt Word files that have the .docx extension.
Pros
Completely free to use without any hidden costs.
Straightforward and simple, focusing solely on repairing Word documents.
Quick repair process.
Cons
Limited to only Microsoft Word documents.
Lacks advanced features and does not support newer Word file formats as effectively.
3. Remo Word Repair:
Remo Word Repair is an excellent word file repair tool that is known for its ability to repair corrupt Word files both efficiently and quickly. It can fix both .doc and .docx files and is compatible with multiple versions of Microsoft Word. This Word repair software can recover hyperlinks, OLE objects, formatting, and texts from corrupted .doc files. It also offers you the opportunity to preview the data that has been recovered from the corrupted Word file.
Pros
Specifically designed to repair corrupt or damaged Word documents, ensuring a high success rate.
User-friendly interface that simplifies the repair process.
Supports a wide range of Word versions.
Cons
The trial version has restrictions, such as not allowing you to save the repaired document.
Slightly more expensive than some other Word-repair tools.
4. WordFIX:
WordFIX is a simple-to-use Word repair software package that is capable of recovering all the data from a corrupted Word file reliably and safely. It is an incredibly fast word file repair tool which has an intuitive user interface and does not require much technical skill to utilize. The best feature of the WordFIX is that it can restore non-Western characters from damaged Word files as well.
Pros
User-friendly with a simple, intuitive interface.
Fast repair process, saving time, especially with bulk repairs.
Preserves document formatting and layout well.
Cons
Limited functionality in the free demo version.
Occasionally, complex documents with lots of formatting might not be fully restored.
5. S2 Recovery Tools:
S2 Recovery Tools is a word file repair tool that offers you the chance to get your corrupted Word files repaired according to the repair methods suggested by Microsoft. It offers quick recovery of data from damaged Word files and can even be used for searching for temporary and backup versions of the corrupted Word file. This Word repair software provides you access to freeware as well for the recovery of .doc files.
Pros
Free tool that offers multiple strategies for repairing corrupted Word documents.
Includes a search function to find Word documents that need repair on your computer.
Supports older and newer Word file formats.
Cons
More technical and less intuitive interface, which might pose a challenge for less tech-savvy users.
Repair success can vary significantly depending on the document's damage level and complexity.
Video Tutorial on How to Recover an Unsaved/Deleted Word Document?
Part 2: Important Tips to Prevent Word Files from Corruption Again
Common symptoms of corrupted Word files can range from frustrating to downright obstructive in your workflow. Users may find that text formatting appears incorrect or altered, images may not display properly, or tables and charts could be skewed. In more severe cases, the Word document might refuse to open altogether, or the software could crash when attempting to load the file. Other telltale signs include receiving error messages when trying to open a file, or finding that content is missing or replaced with garbled text.
To prevent Word files from becoming corrupted again, consider implementing the following important tips:
Regularly Update Your Software: Ensuring that your Microsoft Word and operating system are up to date can help avoid compatibility issues that might lead to file corruption.
Use Strong Antivirus Protection: Malware and viruses can corrupt files, including Word documents. Robust antivirus software can help protect your system.
Avoid Abrupt Shutdowns: Closing Word or shutting down your computer while a document is open can corrupt the file. Always save your work and close the application properly.
Be Cautious with Removable Media: If using USB drives or external hard disks to transfer Word documents, ensure they are not removed while files are being written to or read from the device.
Backup Your Files: Regularly backing up important documents can save a lot of headaches. Use cloud storage services or external hard drives for backups.
Use the "Save As" Feature Wisely: Instead of constantly overwriting an existing document, occasionally save your document using 'Save As' to create a new file version. This can reduce the risk of corruption over time.
Implementing these practices can significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing corrupted Word files, ensuring the integrity of your documents is maintained.
People Also Ask
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How do I Repair a Corrupted Word File?
Run a CHKDSK on the corrupted document. This will ensure that if the error is caused by a system file, it will be fished out and repaired. You can also save the file in a different format.
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How do I Repair a Corrupted Word Document 2016?
Go online and look for a repair tool that can effectively fix the Word document's corruption. Also, the "Open and Repair" feature you find on the drop-down menu when you "Open" your document, can serve greatly in fixing the error.
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Why is All My Word Documents Corrupted?
Several reasons are responsible for Word documents getting corrupted. It could be a problem with the files' headers. If the documents have been saved in an external storage device, then you may have removed the device without first ejecting them for safe removal.
