You get an error when trying to launch an app such as Word, the first time after an Microsoft 365 installation. You can try to start the app again, and if that doesn't help, here are some things you can try to fix the problem. We've listed the most common solutions first, so try them in order.
Restart your computer and reinstall Office
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Restart your computer.
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Reinstall Microsoft 365.
To reinstall Office, select the version you want to install and follow those steps.
Repair Office from the Control Panel
How you get to the repair tool depends on your operating system. Choose your operating system from the drop-down list below.
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Right-click the Start button
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Select the Microsoft Office product you want to repair and select Modify. If you don't see any options, select the three dots on the right side.
Note:Â This will repair the entire Office suite even if it's just one application you want to repair such as Word or Excel. If you have a standalone app installed, then search for that application by name.
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Depending on if your copy of Office is Click-to-run or MSI-based install, you'll see the following options to proceed with the repair. Follow the steps for your installation type.
Click-to-run
In the window How would you like to repair your Office Programs, select Online Repair > Repair to make sure everything gets fixed. (The faster Quick Repair option is also available, but it only detects and then replaces corrupted files.)
MSI-based
In Change your installation, select Repair and then click Continue.
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Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the repair.
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Right-click the Start button
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From Category view, under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
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Right-click the Microsoft Office product you want to repair, and from the drop-down, select Change.
Note:Â If you have a suite such as Microsoft 365 Family, Office Home & Student 2016, or Office Home and Student 2013, search for the suite name, even if it's just a particular application you want to repair such as Word or Excel. If you have a standalone application such as Word or Excel, search for the application name.
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Depending if your copy of Office is Click-to-run or an MSI-based install, do the following for your Office installation type:
Click-to-Run installation type:
In How would you like to repair your Office Programs, select Online Repair to make sure everything gets fixed, and then select Repair. (The faster Quick Repair option is also available, but it only detects and then replaces corrupted files.)
MSI-based installation type:
In Change your installation, select Repair and then click Continue.
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Follow the remaining instructions on the screen to complete the repair.
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Click the Start button
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From Category view, under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
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Click the Office product you want to repair, and then click Change.
Note:Â If you have a suite such as Microsoft 365 Family, Office Home & Student 2016, or Office Home and Student 2013, search for the suite name, even if it's just a particular application you want to repair such as Word or Excel. If you have a standalone application such as Word or Excel, search for the application name.
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Depending if your copy of Office is Click-to-run or an MSI-based install, do the following for your Office installation type:
Click-to-Run installation type:
In How would you like to repair your Office Programs, select Online Repair to make sure everything gets fixed, and then select Repair. (The faster Quick Repair option is also available, but it only detects and then replaces corrupted files.)
MSI-based installation type:
In Change your installation, select Repair and then click Continue.
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Follow the remaining instructions on the screen to complete the repair.
