Word experienced an error

[JoelRoy]

When I try to open a Word  file, an error message "Word experienced an error trying to open the file." occurs, and the file couldn't be opened properly. So my question is, could anyone suggest me how to open and repair word file?

Thanks for help

[tomos]

When I try to open a Word  file, an error message "Word experienced an error trying to open the file." occurs, and the file couldn't be opened properly.

see here for first steps:

When I try to open a Word 2007/2010 file, an error message "Word experienced an error trying to open the file. Please try the following suggestions" occurs, and the file couldn't be opened properly.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/kb/2749199
(my emphasis)

[wraith808]

Not saying you're wrong, but when I see something that makes me think it might be spam, I put it in the report to the mods space, so as not to out someone who might be asking for help legitimately...

[tomos]

Not saying you're wrong, but when I see something that makes me think it might be spam, I put it in the report to the mods space, so as not to out someone who might be asking for help legitimately...

yes, can be I'm being presumptuous --
I'll edit my previous post

[JoelRoy]

Hello. It is not spam. I really need help with this issue.

Tom,
I have seen this article, thanks

[tomos]

Hello. It is not spam. I really need help with this issue.

Tom,
I have seen this article, thanks

sincere apologies Joel

What have you tried so far (did you try what was suggested at that link?)

[Curt]

hello JoelRoy
is it one particular word file or any word file?

If it's any word file, you will need to reinstall office / word
if it's just one file, you can most likely open it in wordpad C:\Windows\System32\wordpad.exe
some formatting will of course be broken, but text and pictures will probably be good

-------

hm... this made me search for a doc / docx - and I've found none!  I guess they all were on the external backup disk that I lost. Okay, i cannot CHECK my advice. But you can.

[JoelRoy]

Tom,
I have tried to reinstall Word. Also tried the steps were suggested at the link. No luck

[JoelRoy]

Hi Curt.

Only one file gives an error.

[wraith808]

Hi Curt.

Only one file gives an error.

What version of Word are you using?

[JoelRoy]

Word 2013

[wraith808]

Did you try the Open and Repair feature in Word?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/893672
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/918429
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/006a11c4-1275-47b4-a426-7da80e650684/how-to-repair-a-corrupted-word-2013-document?forum=word
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Open-a-document-after-a-file-corruption-error-47df9d48-2165-4411-a699-1786ac734bc3

If so, what result did you get?  Is your copy of word updated to the latest version?  Sometimes a patch can help. 

Another possibility for recovery is to right-click on the file in Windows Explorer and choose Properties>Previous versions and see if there are any shadow copies available.

You can also try openoffice- it has been known to be able to open corrupt word files.  There are also many paid offerings to do this if this file is that important- they aren't cheap, and I have no experience with them.

Without knowing other information, it's hard to troubleshoot such.