Word 2007 Not Responding

[Jon]

I have Word 2007 in the Office Home and Student version operating on Vista.
Recently, anytime I try to save or print a document, or even close Word
completely, the program freezes and then says that Word has stopped
responding. This happens every time I try to perform any of these functions,
but it only happens on Word. None of the other programs seem to be affected.
Any suggestions?

 

[Terry Farrell]

A corrupt/incompatible printer driver or an HP printer driver?

 

[Jon]

Yeah, I've got an HP Printer that isn't compatible with Vista, but I've been
using it for several months with no problem except for a few things that it
won't do, like scan or fax from the computer. I tried to install the
software, but it wouldn't let me because it's not compatible with Vista and
there don't seem to be any updates for it either. But it's not just the
printing that is a problem, mainly I can't save new documents or even close
the program without it freezing.

 

[Terry Farrell]

Jon

Test by selecting a different printer as the default. Does that resolve the
issues? (If you don't have another printer, just install the Windows
Generic/Text only printer for testing.)

Terry

 

[Jon]

Nope, still wants to freeze. I even deleted the HP printer from the computer.

 

[Terry Farrell]

There's a chance that an update has corrupted the Word DataKey. Deleting the
DataKey - which Word recreates automatically when restarted - may resolve
the issue.

Run Regedit (as Administrator) and navigate to the key and delete it.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\version number\Word\Data

If not, go through the steps in the following FAQ:

http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProblemsStartingWord.htm

Terry

 

[Clark]

I am experiencing the same problem and am trying to delete the Data Key. Is
the Data Key the entire folder labelled "Data" in the HKEY address you
specify? I have 4 items in the file all of which are new types to me and i
don't want delete the wrong item.

 

[crazy48kids]

I have been having the same issue since day 1, but I have Office Professional
Plus 2007. It happens more often when I have to save a document as an .rtf.,
but it will freeze up on a .docx, too. After rebooting 4 times last night, I
got my essay onto a jump drive and finished it in 2003 and XP. Ah, the good
old days.

 

[Terry Farrell]

Start Word in Safe Mode and test to see if that stabilizes it. From Start,
Run, type in

winword /a

and press enter. Word will open in safe mode. Try editing and saving now.

But please note, NEVER save a document to any type of removable media -
especially 'jump drives'. ALWAYS save to the local HDD and copy to and from
the removable media.

 

[Michael]

This only worked temporarily. Starting Word from the Start menu worked, but
after closing Word and attempting to open a .doc (not .docx) from an Outlook
attachment, the same problem* was experienced. The .doc doesn't contain a
virus and is from a trusted source.

*Problem:
"Microsoft Office Word has stopped working.
A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close
the program and notify you if a solution is available."

 

[Terry Farrell]

See my response to your other message.

Terry

 

[teamfuller]

Terry,

In the past 2 weeks I've had to remove this data key 4 times. Why might
this be?

Thanks
Lori

 

[Terry Farrell]

I've no idea. It should never corrupt. It has been suggested that leaving
Word running during an automatic update may cause the registry corruption.
But I have never experienced this myself but it seems many users have.

If you are getting regular corruptions, it suggest that something else on
your computer is causing this. You're not running one of those registry
cleaners such as CClean are you? Registry cleaners are unnecessary and all
those companies selling them should be shut down and the CEOs (chief
embezzlement officers locked into bank vaults along with all corrupt
bankers.

Terry

 

[teamfuller]

No I'm not. I just got the computer last week and have only Adobe Acrobat,
Office and Vista on it. And I'm linked to an HP and Epson printer through
the server.

 

[dorys petersen]

I am experiencing the a similar problem. i am running word on windows 7. my word program is corrupted. it runs slower than usual and locks up. i get a 'not responding' message. MS has a solution center. google 'microsoft fix it center online.' that website should be able to help. i am trying it now. hope this helps. dp

 

[Stefan Blom]

Have you tested any of the suggestions given in previous messages in
this thread?

Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP