How to fix issues with Microsoft Word 2010 not opening

Applies to: Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Microsoft 365

"My Office Word 2010 is not opening, and I have no clue what to do. I'm not tech-savvy at all. If I can't open my proposal, I'll lose a client. I've noticed a lot of issues with the 2010 version. Please help. I've tried restarting my computer multiple times and going into Control Panel. Please assist me."

The info above was taken from Microsoft forums, where a user reported that her Office 2010 Word won't open and she doesn't know how to deal with it. In fact, this kind of issue is quite common among Microsoft Office applications. There are also other users who report their Microsoft Excel won't open. Here, we will focus on how to fix the problem with Word 2010 not opening – keep reading for more details.

Why can't I open Microsoft Word 2010?

The reasons for being unable to open Word 2010 are varied and can be attributed to several factors. Some primary causes include:

• You have an uncommon registry entry set for Windows 10.
• A faulty add-in is preventing Word from opening.
• A Windows update introduced an incompatible setting.
• The Word file you're trying to open is corrupted.

Now that you're aware of the possible reasons behind Word 2010 not opening, it's time to look at effective solutions. We've gathered four fixes for you to try one by one until the issue is resolved.

Solution 1: Open Word 2010 in Safe Mode

If you're unable to open Word, try launching it in Safe Mode first to see if it opens normally. Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Close Word and press the Windows key+R to open the Run box.

Step 2. Type winword /safe in the Run dialog box.

Now, Microsoft Word should open in Safe Mode. You should now be able to edit your Word files without issue.

Solution 2: Disable Word 2010 Add-ins

A problematic add-in could be the cause of Word 2010 not opening. The steps below will help you disable these add-ins and get Word up and running again.

Step 1. Boot into Safe Mode as shown in Solution 1.

Step 2: Click File > Options > Add-ins. Select COM Add-ins, and then click Go.

Step 3: Clear the check boxes next to all the items in the list, and then click OK. Restart Word.

If Microsoft Word is working correctly, re-enable one add-in at a time until the problem with Microsoft Word 2010 not opening occurs again. This will help you identify which add-in is the culprit.

Fix 3: Repair and Reinstall Word

Another thing you could try is repairing Microsoft Word 2010 from the Control Panel, and then reinstalling it. A couple of users reported that this worked well for them. You can see how to do that in this article: How to Repair Office Programs.

Step 1: Open the Control Panel on your computer.

Step 2: Select Programs and Features.

Step 3: Right-click on Microsoft Office and select "Change."

Step 4: Click “Yes” to launch Microsoft's repair tool.

Step 5: The system will select the “Quick Fix” option by default. Click on “Fix” to start the repair process.

Solution 4: Use a third-party file repair utility

If all else fails, you may need to resort to using third-party repair software. A corrupted file is one of the leading causes of an unopenable Word 2010 document. We recommend using the Data Recovery Wizard Pro tool to recover and repair your damaged Word file.

Data Recovery Wizard has been in the data recovery and repair market for over 17 years. Its powerful scanning and recovery capabilities are the main reasons for its popularity. Its user-friendly interface is another highlight. Novices and experts alike can quickly get the hang of using this software.

You can download the software below and follow the steps to repair and recover your Word file.

Step 1: Select the location to start searching for the damaged Word file

Launch the Data Recovery Wizard utility, and scan the lost or corrupted Word file.

Step 2: Scans for Lost and Damaged Word Documents

You can use the Filter feature to quickly locate damaged Word files.

Step 3: Repair the Word file and save it to a secure location

Select the Word file and click Preview. The program will automatically repair the damaged file. Click Recover to save the repaired Word document to a secure location. (Note: Avoid saving the file back to the same hard drive partition or external device where you lost data.)

Where Do Files Go When You Delete Them and How to Recover Deleted Files

This article will answer all your questions about where files go after deletion. Read on for more details.

Fix Word 2010 not opening right now!

That's all folks! The first three fixes should be able to resolve your issue. Don't hesitate to try them out. Hopefully, you'll be able to solve the problem after reading this article.