How to Fix Word Experienced an Error Trying to Open the File?

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Error Code:

“Word experienced an error trying to open the file.
Try these suggestions.”
*Check the file permissions for the document or drive
*Make sure there are sufficient free memory and disk space.
*Open the file with the Text Recovery converter.

Causes:

Typically, the “Word experienced an error trying to open the file. Try these suggestions” error pops up when an installed third-party application modifies the Word document which you are trying to open while transmitting.

So, try the below troubleshooting methods, below when your Word file is not responding or failed to open by the Microsoft Word application.

Instructions to Fix “Word experienced an error trying to open the file. Try these suggestions” Error:

Step 1: Unblock Word Document

If you received the error throwing Word file in Outlook or on any other email applications, then chances are there that the file might have been blocked.

You can easily fix it by unblocking the document using the below steps:

1. Right-click on the Word file and select Properties.

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2. In the General tab, click the Unblock button located under Security (below the Advanced button).

click-unblock

3. Apply the changes and hit OK.

Once the Word document is unlocked, try to open it in the MS Word app to see if the “Word experienced an error trying to open the file. Please try the following suggestions” is fixed. If you still encounter the error, then try the next step.

Step 2: Disable Protected View 

If you are experiencing the error “Word experienced an error trying to open the file. Please try the following suggestions” with several Word files then it seems the Trust Center setting has got an issue. And, here is how to resolve the problem:

1. Launch the MS Word application, click the File menu, and select Options.

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2. In the Word Options wizard, select Trust Center and click Trust Center Settings.

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3. Next, select Protected view and disable the below features:

  • “Enable Protected View for Files originating from the Internet”
  • “Enable Protected View for Files located in potentially unsafe locations”
  • “Enable Protected View for Outlook attachments”
protected-view

4. Save the changes and close the Word program. Now, try to open the affected Word file. Try the next step, if the error still appears.

Step 3: Add a New Trusted Location

1. Launch the MS Word application, click the File menu, and select Options.

2. In the Word Options wizard, select Trust Center and click Trust Center Settings.

3. Next, choose Trusted Locations and click the Add new location… option.

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4. Browse and select the drive where your Word file is saved and check the checkbox “Subfolders of this location are also trusted”.

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5. Click OK and close the MS Word tool.

Now, open the Word file which is showing “Word experienced an error trying to open the file. Please try the following suggestion” error.

Step 4: Repair Word File

If none of the above solutions resolve the error, then chances are there your Word file might be corrupt or damaged. So, you have to fix it before trying to open a corrupt Word document in MS Word program.

How to Repair a Corrupt Word File?

1. Launch MS Wordand clickthe File button.

2. Click Open, then Browse and select the corrupt Word file.

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3. Click the small triangle located beside the Open button and choose Open and Repair.

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Wait till the Word tool repairs your corrupt file.