Winword.exe Application Error: How to Fix it in 6 Steps

Apply these fixes to resolve the Winword.exe application error

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Key notes

  • Microsoft Word is a component of the Microsoft Office Suite and acts as a dedicated text editor.
  • Several users have reported facing Winword.exe error with Microsoft Word.
  • You can try updating your copy of MS Office, reinstalling the program, or scanning your PC for viruses or malware to fix the problem.
fix winword.exe issues

WINWORD.EXE is the MS Word process listed on Task Manager. Other Microsoft software, especially MS Office applications, also rely on the WINWORD.EXE process.

For example, WINWORD.EXE will run with the Outlook software when you’ve configured Word as Outlook’s default email editor.

This winword.exe application error can sometimes prevent you from running Word, and speaking of this issue, users have been reporting the same or similar problems for quite some time.

Thankfully, all these issues can be overcome in just a few steps. However, the root of the problem may vary, so you can find below several tips and tricks for multiple possible causes of this error.

Some of the most frequent issues that cause WINDWORD.EXE application errors are caused by corrupt application files, problems with your registry, an outdated operating system, or virus infections.

Users of Microsoft Word can fix the problem manually with the help of built-in Windows utilities. Still, they can also speed up the process with dedicated applications that automate it.

What does Winword.exe error mean?

The Winword.exe application error prevents you from opening or running Microsoft Word. Not only Word, but this software component is also used by other apps such as Outlook, where you need to view the attachment in Microsoft Word.

The Winword.exe application error is one of the most common errors that Microsoft Office users encounter.

After some research, we could jot down the most common reasons you would face this Winword.exe application error.

  • Corrupt Office file – There might be a necessary Office file that got corrupted because of conflicting programs, etc.
  • The installation is corrupted – Chances are that a few of the critical Microsoft Office files did not install because of some interruption, causing the problem.
  • There are some issues with your user profile data – Because of failed updates, a corrupt account directory, or a damaged hard drive, your profile data got corrupted.
  • Antivirus software conflicting with Microsoft Office – Often, antivirus or Firewall programs can detect the numerous subprocesses as a threat, thereby blocking it.
  • There are chances that the Microsoft DLL is corrupt or missing – The DLL file gets damaged or corrupt because of a system or software update.
  • Your copy of Microsoft Office isn’t up-to-date – You are running an old version of MS Office, because of which you are coming across this error.
  • Your PC is infected by viruses or malware – Virus or malware can not only impact the performance of your PC but can also cause programs to malfunction.

What is winword on my computer?

Microsoft Word is the most used and popular word processing software. Almost everyone might have used this Office tool at least once. Winword stands for Microsoft Word or Windows Word.

Since Winword.exe is an application process related to Microsoft Word, an error on it will cause issues with the Word program.

Where is Winword Exe located?

Note icon NOTE
The location of Winword.exe may differ from one version to another, but there’s a way you can easily find it in Windows, no matter the version of Microsoft Word you are running.
  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, enter regedit in the text field, and click OK.regedit
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  3. Now, paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Winword.exepaste path
  4. Click on the Path string here.path
  5. The address listed under Value data will be where you will find the Winword.exe file.copy path
  6. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, navigate the path found in the previous step, and you will see the Winword.exe file.winword.exe

How do I fix Winword.exe application error on Windows 10?

1. Repair MS Office

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Go to the Programs and Features section.
    Winword.exe application error the application was unable to start correctly
  3. Then you can right-click a specific Microsoft application listed there.
  4. Select Change. (Alternatively, you could select the Microsoft Office suite instead)
    Winword.exe application error Windows 10
  5. Click on Online Repair.
  6. However, you can also select Quick Repair to fix corrupted files.

The more recent MS Office suites include diagnostic tools with which you can fix their applications.

The diagnostic tool can repair Office software that isn’t working correctly, so it might also resolve the EXE error you complain about.

If you lack time to try out potential repairs, you can rely on third-party software that will help you rapidly repair Word errors.

Repair software help with complex applications, operating system errors, performance issues, and more. They are easy to use and are a time-saving alternative to manually figuring out what is causing PC errors.

2. Run an SFC and DISM Scan

  1. Press Win + X.
  2. Select Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin) from the list.
    Winword.exe application error office 2013
  3. When Command Prompt opens, run the below command. sfc /scannow
    Winword.exe crash wwlib.dll
  4. SFC scan will now scan your system.
  5. This can take about 10-15 minutes, so don’t interfere with or cancel it.

Another cause for winword.exe application error can be file corruption. For example, if your installation or system files are corrupted, you might encounter this error message.

However, you can fix the problem simply by performing an SFC scan. If the SFC scan didn’t fix the issue, you could always use a DISM scan. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Start Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Run the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    Winword.exe application error the application was unable to start correctly
  3. DISM scan will now start.
  4. Remember that this process can take about 20 minutes or more, so don’t interfere with it.

Once the DISM scan is finished, check if the problem is still there. If you want, you can repeat the SFC scan just in case the issue should be resolved.

Alternatively, for corrupted files, you can use a tool that specializes in file repair. These tools scan your PC for corrupted or damaged files and repair or restore them to their original version.

3. Check for Windows updates

  1. Open the Settings app by using Windows + I shortcut.
  2. When the Settings app opens, go to the Update & Security section.
    Winword.exe crash wwlib.dll
  3. Now click the Check for updates button.
    Winword.exe application error Windows 7

Sometimes missing system updates can cause a winword.exe application error to appear. To fix this issue, it’s advised to keep your system updated at all times. Also, an OS update will fix the msosync.exe Bad Image error.

By default, Windows 10 downloads the missing updates in the background, but sometimes you might miss an update.

If any updates are available, they will be downloaded in the background and installed as soon as you restart your PC. Once everything is up to date, check if the problem is resolved.

4. Run an antivirus scan

There are times when the winword.exe application error occurs if there’s a malware infection on your system.

However, Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender, which works as a built-in antivirus, so you should be able to detect any malware easily.

Also, if you want to get specialized antivirus services and upgraded protection tools, you can certainly switch to more effective antivirus software for Windows 10.

Reliable antiviruses are capable to keep your system protected without interfering with other applications. We suggest you use a full-featured tool based on multi-layered protection such as ESET NOD32.

5. Reinstall the Software

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Select Programs and Features.program and features
  3. Select Microsoft Office.
  4. Hit the Uninstall button.uninstall button
  5. Head to the official Microsof Office website.
  6. Download the program.
  7. Install it on your PC and check if this fixes the issue or not.

If winword.exe application error keeps appearing on your PC, the problem might be a corrupted installation.

You can either uninstall the program from your PC using the above solutions, or use an uninstaller software to remove any application from your PC along with its files and registry entries.

Some of the best uninstaller software on the market also include PC optimization and performance assessment features, so make sure to check out the market and get one that caters to your needs.

Once you remove the application using this tool and install it again, the issue should be completely resolved. You can check our dedicated guide to learn more about system restoration. Otherwise, you can trust a specialized repair tool that can restore, fix, and boost your PC’s overall performance within a blink of an eye.

6. Undo System Changes with System Restore

  1. Press Windows + S and type System restore.
  2. Choose to Create a restore point.
    Winword.exe application error the application was unable to start correctly
  3. Click the System Restore button.
    Winword exe runtime error
  4. When System Restore window opens, click Next.
    Winword.exe application error office 2010
  5. Check Show more restore points option if it’s available.
  6. Choose the desired restore point.
  7. Click Next.
    Winword.exe application error Windows 10
  8. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

In some cases, the only way to fix this problem is to perform a System Restore. A System Restore can revert any recent changes to your PC and fix issues such as winword.exe application error.

How can I fix the Winword.exe application error on Windows 11?

1. Restart Winword process

  1. Right-click on the Start menu.
  2. Select Task Manager.
  3. Locate the process and select it.
  4. Click on End task.
  5. Relaunch the Microsoft Word app and check if this fixes the issue or not.

2. Update Windows

  1. Press Win + I buttons to open the Settings menu.
  2. Select Windows Update from the left side.
  3. Hit the Check for updates button.windows 11 check for updates
  4. If there is a new update available, you system will prompt you to download it.

3. Modify AppInit_DLLs

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue.
  2. Type regedit and hit Enter.Run regedit windows
  3. Head to the following path. Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
  4. Expand the Windows folder from the left-side.
  5. Look for AppInit_DLLs on the right.
  6. Double-click on AppInit_DLLs.
  7. Delete any values in the Value data box.
  8. Press OK.
  9. Restart your PC and check if this fixes the issue or not.

Apart from the above solutions, you can also try these three solutions to fix the Winword.exe application error on your Windows 11 PC. The solutions are almost similar for Windows 10 and 11 PCs.

You might also be interested on how to fix Offspon.exe related errors if you have encountered them.

Let us know in the comments below, which one of the above solutions helped you fix the problem on your PC.