Fix Error 'Document Caused a Serious Problem When It Was Opened Last Time'

“Hi, I am encountering an issue with my Microsoft Word files. I am getting an error message “the document caused a serious error the last time it was opened”, when I try to open my Word documents. I tried troubleshooting options like ‘Open and Repair’, but it doesn’t seem to help. So please advise me how to fix this problem.”

We can certainly help you resolve this problem. First, we try to resolve the error using manual solutions. However, if it doesn’t help, you can use the software method (Yodot Word Repair) also provided in this article.

Before we move on to the solutions, it is important to understand when and why this error occurs. This error is usually seen when you are trying to open the file which is listed in Disabled files of MS Office program. What is a ‘Disabled list’? Microsoft program includes a file to ‘Disabled list’ if the file is known to cause issues like making Office to end unexpectedly, application crash, freeze etc. Hence, in order to avoid this problem Microsoft gives an error message to avoid possible problems, if you happen to open that file.

Solutions to solve the error ‘Document caused a serious error the last time it was opened’

Solution 1: Disable add-ins (Word 2007 and later edition)

• Open file > Click Office Button > Word Options > Add-Ins > Manage > COM Add-Ins > Go
• Clear the check box for one of the add-ins in the list of COM Add-Ins > click OK and restart application
• If issue is not fixed after completion of these steps, repeat the procedure by clearing other add-ins
• Repeat for all add-ins and see if the issue is resolved. If it is, then enable add-ins one at a time to identify the add-in causing issues.

If the manual method doesn’t work, then you can try the Yodot Word Repair tool to resolve the error ‘Document caused a serious error the last time it was opened’.

Solution 2: Using Yodot DOC Repair tool

Yodot Word Repair is a reliable way to fix the issue ‘document caused a serious error the last time it was opened’, that occurs when trying to access Word file. This robust program also helps you to solve errors - Word failed to read from this file, the file is not a valid Word file, the file couldn’t be opened and more. The application is very transparent as it provides you an option to preview repaired documents; so that you can assess its repair ability.

The software uses a read-only mechanism, so the original contents are not altered after the repair process. In addition to this, the tool has smart and user-flexible GUI, so even a novice user can use it without any difficulty.

It can easily repair DOC files created using 2000, 2002, 2003, and DOC as well as DOCX files produced by 2007, 2010 and 2016 MS program. You can have benefit of the utility in repairing Word files saved on media card, pen drive, internal hard drive, external hard drive etc on all laptops and desktops operating with all versions of Windows OS. Yodot software also has PPT repair software which helps you in fixing of other Office files like PowerPoint, when you are facing PowerPoint error the file is corrupt and cannot be opened.

Follow this simple procedure to fix Word file using Yodot:

• By clicking Download tab, download the Yodot DOC Repair utility
• Install it and run on your system operating with Windows OS
• Click on the Browse button to select the Word file to repair
• Click on Repair button to begin fix process
• Click on the Preview button to preview the repair Word document
• Save the repaired Word files in a desired location

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