How to Get Rid of Message 'Word Experienced an Error Trying to Open a File'?

Amy Dennis

Nov 11, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

Are you facing the problem 'Word experienced an error trying to open the file'? Many users report this issue when trying to access the saved Word file in Word 2010, 2013, or Word 2016. It is caused by the third-party software modifying the file during the transmission process. Read our post below to get quick fixes for this issue.

Part 1: What Causes Word Experienced an Error Trying to Open the File?

"Microsoft Word experienced an error trying to open the file" is an error that occurs when the third-party software installed in the system alters Word documents that you are trying to open.

This below part guides you when your Word file is not responding or fails to open in Microsoft Word.

Part 2: How to Solve 'Word Experienced an Error Trying to Open the File' Error Code?

If you are facing 'Word experienced an error trying to open the file' error before proceeding towards the solutions, try these troubleshoots.

Initial Workout:

• Check for Windows update. If any update is pending, update it and try to open the Word file again.
• If you are getting this error code for the first time on your system, restart the system and try to access the file.
• If you've antivirus software installed, try to disable it for a short time and open the file again.

If you still face this problem with your Word attachments, opt for these solutions.

Method 1: Unblock the Word File

If you have created the Word file on your own and are facing an error while adding the file, then there is a high chance that the file is blocked. It typically happens when you receive it via Microsoft Outlook or another email client.

You can easily get rid of this MS word error code with the below steps:

Step 1: Right-click that file and select 'Properties.'

Step 2: In the general tab, now hunt for the unblock button under the Security section.

Step 3: After finding it, click on 'Apply' to save all your changes.

Step 4: Once you are done, re-open Word and check out whether the problem has been resolved.

If you still see 'Word experienced an error trying to open the file' error message in multiple files, choose other methods.

Method 2: Modify Protected View Settings

If the issue is not restricted to Microsoft Word or you have tons of Word files with the same problem, the error is likely to be caused by the 'Trust Center setting'.

It means that the file that you are trying to open is present in the location that Microsoft Office recognizes as unsafe. For this, you need to make changes in the 'Trust Center Settings' to remove the error '"Word experienced an error opening the file."

Here are the detailed steps for you:

Step 1: Open Run and then open Microsoft Word from the Office. Expand the 'File' tab and hit 'Options'.

Step 2: In the options wizard, Hit 'Trust Center' and then open Trust Center Settings.

Step 3: In 'Trust Center' settings, choose 'Protected View' and uncheck the following boxes:
Enable Protected View for files located in 'unsafe' locations
Enable Protected View for files originating from the web
Enable Protected View for Outlook attachments

Step 4: Save changes and shut down Microsoft Office. After that, try to open the files that were showcasing an error 'Word experienced an error opening the file'.

These word files should now open without any problem. However, if you are still facing this issue, look at another method below.

Method 3: Add a New Safe Location

If the two methods mentioned above do not work, try adding a new trusted location in the Microsoft Office. When you add your entire drives as trusted, Office will not block you from opening any file or folder.

Here are the steps to add a new safe location in the Office:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word or Excel from the Office suite.

Step 2: Expand the 'File' tab from the ribbon and hit 'Options.'

Step 3: Now click on 'Trust Center', then on Trust Center Settings.

Step 4: Now choose trusted Locations and click the 'Add new location' button located on the bottom of the screen.

Step 5: Pick the drive where you want to save all your word files. But make sure you check 'subfolders of the location are also trusted". Click 'OK' to save all your changes.

Step 6: Close Microsoft Word.

Step 7: Restart your system and after rebooting, try to open the files that were showing "Word experienced an error trying to open the file 2016."

Method 4: Try Professional Word Repair Tool

If none of the above-mentioned tricks works, then there are chances that your Word file might be damaged or corrupt. Therefore, the excellent way is to fix it using Stellar Word Repair.

It is easy to use software that allows you to repair all corrupted MS Word (.doc and .docx) files without modifying them. A user-friendly interface allows you to quickly use it without any expert help.

Features of Stellar Word Repair tool:

• Repairs multiple corrupted Word files in one go
• Repairs font, hyperlinks, text, header, footer, bookmarks, comments, charts, etc.
• Repairs online images and videos added in the Microsoft Word 2013 files
• Offers three repair options - Simple, Advance, and Raw Recovery
• Supports Word file recovery in MS Word versions 2013, 2010, 2003 and 2007
• Displays the preview of corrupted Word files before saving

Here are the detailed steps to repair severely corrupted Word files using this software:

Step 1: Add Word File

Launch Stellar Word repair Software. In the dialogue box, click 'Select file' to open a damaged word file. You can also search the corrupted files in your Computer using the 'Find File' option. Click on the 'scan' to begin scanning.

Step 2: Repair the Word File

Once scanning gets complete, the tool shows a preview of the Word files. You will find three preview options: 'Full Document,' 'Raw Text', and 'Filtered Text'.

Step 3: Preview and Save

Click on the 'Advanced repair' on the toolbar, and you will see the 'Save Document' dialogue box. Wait till the tool repairs your corrupted Word files.

Now pick from the 'default location' or 'Select New Folder' to save the recovered document and hit 'Ok'. It will save all your recovered Word documents at your desired location.

The Bottom Line

We have discussed numerous methods to solve the problem 'Word experienced an error opening the file'. You can pick as per your requirement. But we suggest you use Stellar Word Repair software.

If a simple repair, fails to eliminate corruption, you can even pick the 'Advance repair' option for a better outcome. After the completion of Word repair, this tool also offers a log report.