How to Repair MS Word file Error and cannot be Opened

Amy Dennis

Mar 25,2020 • Filed to: Recover & Repair Files • Proven solutions

The following error message “The file is corrupted and cannot be opened” occurs in new Microsoft Word versions when you try to open a document that has been created in older versions like 2007 or 2003. This error message usually appears after an upgrade. You might get really frustrated, being unable to access an important document. However, you shouldn’t worry too much about it because we will show you some ways to repair corrupted Word files.

First, we are going to look at two Word file repair methods that you could apply right away. One method involves changing Word options, and the other one involves changing system settings. If none of the two methods are effective, then we have prepared a Word Repair Tool tutorial using a third-party software application. Hopefully, you’ll learn how to fix document and ultimately recover your presumptuously lost data.

Part 1: How to Repair MS Word file cannot Open Error

Update “Trust Center” Settings: New Word versions have a stricter security policy on copied or downloaded files. Sometimes you are unable to open a Word file because of the “Enabled Protected View” settings. What you need to do is change the policy. Here’s how:

Launch Microsoft Word;
Navigate to “File”, and click “Options”;
Go to “Trust Center” and tap the button located just below the “trust Center Settings”;
Tap “Protected View”;
Uncheck everything and then click the “Ok” button;
Restart Microsoft Word and try to open the same document again.

If everything went ok, you should now be able to open the document without being prevented to do so.

Change “Component Security” Settings: Sometimes your document is prevented from opening by Windows security level, and in that case, you need to change “Component Security” settings to default. Here’s how you can change it:

Type “dcomcnfg” in the search box and hit the “Enter” key;
A new window opens. On the left pane, select “Component Services”;
The “Computers” folder is shown in the middle pane. Double click to expand it;
You can now see the “My Computer” icon. Right click on it and select “Properties”;
Navigate to the “Default properties” tab;
In the “Default Distributed Com Communication Properties” section, set the “Default Authentication level” form the drop-down menu to “Default”;
Now right beneath, set the “Impersonation level” from the “Default impersonation level” drop-down menu to “Identify, and click the “Ok” button;

It’s time to check the results of this Word file repairing method. Open the document again and see if it works. If you are still displayed the same error message, please go to Part 3 where we’ll talk about a Word Repair Tool that will help you repair corrupted Word files.

Part 2: How to Repair Corrupt Word Files with Program

Don’t worry if every method you have tried so far failed to repair your corrupted Word file. An alternative solution that is usually a quite effective Word file repair method is using a professional Word Repair Tool. I suggest using a third-party software application like Stellar Phoenix Word Repair. This program can safely help you recover files that have been corrupted, while preserving the document the way it used to be in terms of formatting, and layout. You don’t need to worry about compatibility. It can be used to recover documents created in Word 2000 up to 2013. You will love the fact that the support for this app is so well documented.

1. Overview of Word Repair Tool

Stellar Phoenix Word Repair is very efficient in recovering corrupted documents, featuring three different recovery modes: “Simple Recovery”, “Raw Recovery” and “Advanced Recovery”. At least one of these three methods should be able to ultimately fix your document. The interface can almost be used by a 2nd grader with ease. When you are launching the program, you get a search window that allows you to locate your files easily. After a file has been scanned you can preview it form different perspective. You have to try this Word file repair software and you’ll convince yourself of its value.

Microsoft Word Repair Tool

Word Repair Tool can safely repair corrupted Word files while preserving the original style and formatting of the document.
It has a search function that helps you quickly locate your files even if you don’t know their exact location.
After you have selected and eventually scanned a document, you can preview it in three different modes.
Word Repair is a Word document repair tool designed to fix almost all the word documents corruption errors.
You can choose between three different recovery modes: “Simple Repair”, “Advanced Repair” and “Raw Recovery”. One of these recovery methods will surely help you repair corrupted Word files.
Repairs corrupt MS Word file created in MS Word 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, and 2000
Supports Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, 2003, XP, 2000, and NT

Download Windows Version

2. Simple Steps to repair Corrupt Word file

Step 1 The software is launching in the dashboard area and the initial window is being displayed;you need to locate your file. Set the destination drive from the drop-down menu,click the “Find File(s)” button and wait until the search process is completed;

repair corrupt word file step 1

Step 2 Found documents are revealed in the results table. Select the files you want to recover and click the “Scan” button;

repair corrupt word file step 2

Step 3 6.After the scanning process is done you can preview the files that have just been recovered. Tap the “Save” button located within the top navigation menu.

repair corrupt word file step 3

Step 4 Select a preferred save location, and the desired saving format and hit the “Ok” Button.

repair corrupt word file step 4

By the way, you can also learn to solve another common issue "Word file not responding".

Tips:

When you want to repair a corrupted Word file try to make a copy of your broken document and keep it on an external device. A corrupted copy is always better than a lost document. In case something happens to the original document, you still have a copy of it;
Sometimes opening a document in a version that is newer than the one it was created in, will display error messages. Open that document in the Word version it was created in and save it with a “.doc” extension file. This will probably solve the problem;
If you know you want to send your document to someone that is using older Word version always try to save it in “.doc” extension. The “.docx” extension file is using the XML which can cause some problems when documents are opened in older Word versions;

Download Windows Version