Want To Fix Corrupt Word File? Get Hassle-Free Ways

If you are struggling with a corrupt word file, then there might be numerous internal and technical reasons due to which the Word file malfunctions. Basically, corrupt word files are damaged Word files that can’t be opened by specific applications. For example, you can’t open a .doc file with Microsoft Word.

The issue can also raise with the power interruption or maybe you have removed that storage device and the Word file is showing corrupted. You can see the same error message when your computer fails to locate the Word file.

But there’s no need to worry because here you’ll learn how to fix corrupt Word files. Additionally, you’ll get to know some important information regarding corrupt word file issues.

How to Fix Corrupt Word File?

Are you afraid of data loss due to a corrupt Word file? There’s nothing to worry about. You can retrieve all your data stored in the word file that is currently showing being corrupted. You can apply numerous fixes stated below to recover your corrupt word file. Just keep patience and try all the fixes one by one. 

Fix 1: Try Some Basic Troubleshooting Ideas

Assuming the Word file corrupted maybe your mistake. If you have seen the error message for once, try again. Maybe the Word file will open now. The Windows operating system can be the culprit behind this issue so try to open the file later. 

You can try another basic troubleshooting idea. Copy that Word file to some other computer. Try to launch that Word file there. If it opens then the Word file is not corrupted. If not, then you need to follow other fixes right below.

Fix 2: Keep a Backup Copy

Well, this is not exactly the recovery idea but it can help you in several ways. You should keep a backup copy of the corrupt word file. When you start recovering the file, the situation can become worse. That’s why you should keep a copy of the Word file to be on the safe side. 

Fix 3: Keep an Eye over your Email

Did you send the same document to some other person? If the answer is Yes, then you can easily retrieve the Word document from your email sent box. Well, this process has the disadvantage that it only works if you have sent the Word file to someone. Otherwise, you skip this step.

You need to log in to your email account. Check the sent box. If you find that mail, check the content. Open the Word file by clicking on it. Save the Word file and copy the corrupt file to a secure place.

Fix 4: Extract the Word File

You can recover the corrupted Word file just by extracting the file. You can change the extension of the Word file to get rid of the issue. Rename the Word file as RTF or TXT format.

Well, this trick works pretty fine. When you completed the renaming, try to open the corrupted Word file. Hopefully, it works on your system.

Fix 5: Repair Using Microsoft Word Tool

Microsoft Word tool surely resides in your Windows operating system. You can use this tool or application to repair the corrupted Word file. Use the following trick to repair the Word file.

1. Expand the Microsoft Word application.
2. Head towards the File option.
3. Choose the Open option. Select the corrupted Word file.
4. Don’t go for the usual Open option. Rather choose the ‘Open and Repair’ option.

Repair should start. Check if the Word file opens after some time. If not, then please move on to the next process.

Fix 6: Use Another Option on Microsoft Word Application

If the previous fix didn’t work for your corrupted file, then you might need to apply this fix. You have to repeat the same process but this time you need an extra option. Follow the guidelines below.

1. Go to Microsoft Word.
2. Click on the File option. 
3. Next, continue to the open option. Choose your word file that is corrupt.
4. Choose ‘Open and Repair’ option from the drop-down menu of Tool. 
5. Change the menu of ‘All Word Documents’ to ‘Recover Text from any file’.

Wait until the process completes. Check if you can access the Word file now.

Fix 7: Try Insert option on Microsoft Word Application

If none of the above two methods worked on your Microsoft Word, then you can give this fix a try. You need to insert that corrupt Word file into another document. Let’s see how you can achieve this.

1. Open Microsoft Word, as usual.
2. Go to the File option.
3. Create a new document.
4. Next, choose the Insert tab.
5. Choose the Object option from the drop-down menu. 
6. Then, click on the ‘Create from File’ tab. Next, go to the Browse option.
7. Select that corrupt Word file. 

Check if this technique can insert that corrupt word file into a new document. You can surely give it a try. 

Fix 8: Open the Corrupt word File Using the Link

This trick can perform depending upon the level of damage of the Word file. Well, you can try this fix if the damage is not so major. Follow the instructions sincerely to accomplish the task.

1. You need to create a new Word file. Type something in the Word file. Name it anything. Save that Word file wherever you want.
2. You need to select the chunk of text you typed in the document. Then copy that text to the clipboard. 
3. Now, again create a new Word file. Click on the Paste option at the top-left corner of the screen. Select the ‘Paste Special’ option.
4. Next, you have to choose either ‘Formatted Text’ or ‘Unformatted Text’ under the Paste Link menu.
5. Right-click on the Pasted Link. Opt for ‘Linked document Object’ and ‘Links’ consecutively.
6. Now, choose the ‘Change Source’ button and follow the path where you had saved the corrupted word file. Choose that file and opt for Open. Lastly, click on the Ok button.

Check if the error still persists. If not, then you have successfully retrieved your Word file.

Fix 9: Open the Word File Using the Draft Mode

You have another option to open the corrupt Word file. This trick has been proved to be useful for some users. Let’s check if it works for you too.

1. Open Microsoft Word. Head towards File option. 
2. Go to Options.
3. Choose Advanced. Locate the option ‘Show document content’. 
4. Head towards the ‘Show Picture placeholders’ section. Opt for ‘Use draft font in Draft and outline views’. 
5. Come back to Word and choose View option. Choose Draft from the Document Views section.

Check if you are able to open that corrupted Word file. If yes, then the error has been resolved.

Additionally, you can try to open the Word file in some previous versions of Windows. Otherwise, you can try an online third-party app to uncorrupt the Word file. Hopefully, the information has helped you to recover from corrupt Word files.