What is what to do when word is not responding?

If Microsoft Word is not responding, here's what you can do:

1. Wait: Sometimes, Word is just busy processing a large file or complex operation. Give it a few minutes to see if it recovers on its own.

2. Close Word Gracefully: Try to close Word normally by clicking the "X" in the upper-right corner or using the "File" > "Exit" command. If it doesn't respond, move to the next steps.

3. End Task Using Task Manager:

   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
   • Look for "Microsoft Word" in the list of running processes.
   • Select it and click "End Task". This forces Word to close.

4. Restart Your Computer: If ending the task doesn't work, or other applications are also unresponsive, restarting your computer is a good option.

5. Start Word in Safe Mode: This starts Word with minimal features and without add-ins, which can help isolate the cause of the problem.

   • Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type winword /safe and press Enter.
   • If Word works in Safe Mode, the problem is likely an add-in or a customized setting.

6. Disable Add-ins: If Word works in Safe Mode, disable add-ins one by one to identify the problematic one.

   • In Word, go to "File" > "Options" > "Add-ins".
   • At the bottom, next to "Manage:", select "COM Add-ins" and click "Go...".
   • Uncheck the add-ins to disable them and restart Word.

7. Repair Microsoft Office: This can fix corrupted Office files.

   • Go to "Control Panel" > "Programs" > "Programs and Features".
   • Find "Microsoft Office" in the list, right-click it, and select "Change".
   • Choose "Quick Repair" first. If that doesn't work, try "Online Repair".

8. Check for Updates: Ensure your Microsoft Office suite is up to date. Updates often include bug fixes.

   • In Word, go to "File" > "Account" > "Update Options" > "Update Now".

9. Check your Anti-Virus Software: Sometimes overzealous anti-virus programs can interfere with Word's operation. Try temporarily disabling it to see if it resolves the problem (ensure you re-enable it afterwards).

10. Reinstall Microsoft Office: As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Office.