Repair Word Found Unreadable Content Error

Updated on March 17, 2022

“Hi all, I am getting an error message, ‘Word found unreadable content. Do you want to recover the contents of this document? Click 'yes’ upon trying to open my Word file. I do not understand what to do now; that document consisted of very important data of mine. I need to fix that Word file somehow to access its data. Please help me suggest an appropriate way to fix Word found unreadable content errors on my computer. Thanks in advance…”

Many users may encounter ‘Word found unreadable content error’ while trying to open their Word files. Users might have saved very crucial data in the Word document that failed to open due to the above error message “Word found unreadable content error”; if they have taken a backup of their vital Word files, then there is no need to bother. What if there is no proper backup of the Word document?

Well, corruption in Word files is unavoidable, and it leaves the user in trouble, especially in situations like when they have prepared a Word document for an important project and want to submit it on time or anything similar like that with high priority. In such cases, the user needs to fix Word found unreadable content errors on Word documents to access the file.

There are many reasons for a Word file to show Word found unreadable content error messages while opening it. Mainly, when a Word file gets corrupted and content in it becomes unreadable then, you may encounter a “Word found unreadable content” issue.

Why is Word's content unreadable?

Below are the scenarios in which Word file found unreadable content error occurs due to damage or corruption in Word document. And, you should know them so that you can try to avoid such errors by keeping these reasons in mind.

  • Round Tripping: When a Word file is converted to another file format and again converted back to the same format, then the Word file may show an unreadable content error.
  • Virus Infection: Virus or malware threats may infect Word files and damage part of the Word document resulting in unreadable content error messages.
  • Improper System Shutdown: Computers may abruptly shut down for several reasons like accidental switch off, battery drain, power outages, etc. which can harm opened Word files that might show Word found unreadable content error.

Irrespective of the cause behind the Word file corruption, you can fix Word document found content errors using professional Word file repair tools like Yodot DOC Repair software easily.

Note: You can also give a try for the input Open and Repair option available in the MS Word application for fixing your corrupt Microsoft Word file. But, remember this technique cannot repair your severely corrupted Word files.

How do I Fix Unreadable Content in Word?

Method 1: Check with Add-ins

In the case of MS Word add-ins causing the problem, try opening the application while any add-ins are enabled.

  • Step 1: Click on Windows + R keys together to open the Run Box on your system.
  • Step 2: Type winword in the box and hit Enter.
  • Step 3: This command will make MS Word open but prohibit the automatic loading of add-ins and global templates.
  • Step 4: If you can easily open the file without the error, then the problem lies with the Add-ins or Macros. Uninstall all the Add-ins and try to open again.

Method 2: Use "Recover Text from Any File" Function

Open Microsoft word and follow the steps.

  • Step 1: Navigate to File tab > Click Open on the left panel > Click Browse on the right panel.
  • Step 2: On the Microsoft Open window, select the unreadable word files.
  • Step 3: Choose Recover Text from Any File from the drop-down menu.
  • Step 4: Click Open and wait. Your damaged file will open and you had better save it as a new file.

Method 3: Use "Open and Repair" Function

Solution 3 is also a built-in function. And the steps part is the same as the second fix. Check step-by-step guide.

  • Step 1: Move to File tab > Open > Browse.
  • Step 2: Choose the damaged file in the new window.
  • Step 3: Click the small triangle arrow icon > Choose Open and Repair.
  • Step 4: The file can be open and you can save it as a new file.

Method 4: How to Fix Unreadable Word Documents Using Software

Yodot DOC Repair software helps you the best to repair Word documents displaying Word found unreadable content error on Windows computers. This software is expert in fixing all errors with Word files like "Word cannot start the converter mswrd632 wpc", "Word cannot save documents due to file permission error", "Word found unreadable content", "Word saves failed due to out of memory", etc. It has a simple interface to use, a speedy and efficient scanning mechanism to fix any kind of issue with Word documents. You can even repair Word cannot be opened problems with the contents error or other Word file error messages using this tool.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Fix Word Found Unreadable Content Error:

Step 1: Download Yodot DOC Repair software on your computer and install it. Run the utility and select the Word file showing unreadable content error by clicking the Browse button.

Step 2: Click on the Repair button to scan the Word file and fix Word found an unreadable content error with it.

Step 3: Once the scan process completes, you can click on “Click Here to preview file” to preview the repaired Word file. In the end, save repaired Word file using the Save option.

Handy Tips:

  • Scan for Macro viruses on your Word documents regularly
  • Keep backup of your important Word files on a separate storage drive and use it in case of emergency

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