5 Ways to Fix Microsoft Word Stuck on Saving
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Basic Fixes
Fix 1: Save a Local Copy on PC
If you have trouble saving the latest document changes, you should temporarily save a local copy on your PC. That way, you will not lose recent edits and can continue your work.
Step 1:From Microsoft Word, selectFileat the top and click onSave a Copy.
Step 2:SelectThis PCfrom the left sidebar and save the document to a folder.
Fix 2: Rename Normal.dotm Template
Microsoft Word might get stuck when saving if the default template file is damaged or corrupted. Of course, you’ll have no clue, but you can follow the steps below to recreate the template file.
Step 1:Press theWindows+Rkeys and open the Run menu.
Step 2:Type%appdata%and hit theEnterkey.
Step 3:Double-click on theMicrosoftfolder to open it.
Step 4:Double-click theTemplatesfolder in the Microsoft folder and open it.
Step 5:Right-click on the file namedNormal, rename it toOldNormal, andclosethe menu.
Try using Word again, and you won’t see the issue of software getting stuck on saving.
Fix 3: Disable Microsoft Word Add-Ins
Add-ins often help to make specific repetitive tasks easy, but they can sometimes get in the way. A problematic add-in might mess up the saving process in Microsoft Word. You might want to revisit installed add-ins and disable irrelevant ones.
Step 1:From a Word document, selectFileat the top.
Step 2:SelectOptionsat the bottom.
Step 3:Click on theAdd-insoption from the left column. Next, hit theGobutton beside theManagedrop-down menu.
Step 4:Uncheck the boxes to disable unnecessary add-ins. You can also remove them entirely, then hitOK.
Try saving the file again and see if the issue persists.
Fix 4: Recover Unsaved Document and Save It Again
IfMicrosoft Word is not respondingor is stuck on saving, you must force close the app and recover the unsaved document.
Step 1:Right-click on the Windows key and openTask Manager.
Step 2:FindMicrosoft Wordfrom the list and selectEnd Taskat the bottom.
Step 3:Open Microsoft Word and try opening the same document.
Step 4:The software automatically asks you to restore the previous version with recent edits. If you don’t see such an option, click onFileat the top > open theInfomenu > selectVersion History> open the previous version from the list.
Try to save it again to OneDrive or on a PC.
Fix 5: Repair Microsoft Office or 365
If none of the above fixes worked, you may be dealing with bad configuration or deeper corruption within the Microsoft app. You may use its repair option.
Step 1:Click themagnifying lenson the Taskbar, type365, right-click on the app, and clickApp settings.
Step 2:Click theRepairbutton and follow any instructions to complete the process.
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Last updated on 27 May, 2024
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