Forum Discussion
Word freezes or crashes when pressing the G key in the file search
When pressing the letter G in the file search on Word, it either just freezes and doesn't respond or crashes immediately. Regardless of whether Word is in Safe Mode or not. It also pops up a "Word couldn't start last time" pop-up when I try to open the app again and asks if I want to open it in Safe Mode. Which, as I said, still has the same problem.
As far as I can tell, that's the only issue with Word. Everything else works great so far.
This does not happen with other apps like PowerPoint or Excel. I have only recently reinstalled all the apps and it does not seem to have helped.
Windows 11 25H2
12 Replies
I’m experiencing the same issue here, although in my case it happens with the letter “P”.
I’ve tried repairing the Windows image, rebuilding the search index, running an online repair of the Office suite, uninstalling the latest Windows 11 update, and checking language packs, but nothing has helped. When I type the letter P in Word’s search box, the application freezes and then crashes.
However, if I press Ctrl + F12 and type the letter P in that search field, the search works correctly.
Best regards,
I’m experiencing the same issue here, although in my case it happens with the letter “P”.
I’ve tried repairing the Windows image, rebuilding the search index, running an online repair of the Office suite, uninstalling the latest Windows 11 update, and checking language packs, but nothing has helped. When I type the letter P in Word’s search box, the application freezes and then crashes.
However, if I press Ctrl + F12 and type the letter P in that search field, the search works correctly.
Best regards,
Hi Apexx. Yes, that also works for me as that keyboard shortcut just opens File Explorer which functions normally. However, it's a bit tedious to need to locate my documents (especially OneDrive) all the time when Word can do it for me by using it's search box.
I've also tried the things you did and nothing has helped for me either.
Just to clarify, I've attached two screenshots of the issue and the search box I meant in my original post. In Safe Mode, it doesn't respond before eventually crashing. Outside of Safe Mode (normally), it just crashes the app immediately. Is this also happening to you?
Thanks.
What is the exact error message?
You've tried safe mode to no avail?
If the error message includes an option to Repair Now and that didn't work, we never hear about it here when it does work.
After assuring that your license is linked to your Microsoft account, run an Online Repair.
- Sign into your account: https://account.microsoft.com/account
- Repair an Office Application: https://support.office.com/article/7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b
If you cannot find that your license is connected to your account, please write back in a comment.
Hi Charles. I just did an Online Repair and that has still not helped. PowerPoint and Excel, as I said earlier, are fine. But Word is still crashing immediately or freezing/not responding for the same reason.
I've attached 2 screenshots. In Safe Mode, it doesn't respond before eventually crashing. Outside of Safe Mode (normally), it just crashes the app immediately.
Hi Charles. It does not come up with any error message, it just either crashes immediately or freezes for a while and then crashes. The only message I've seen is when I try to reopen the app, it says: "Word couldn't start last time. Safe mode could help you troubleshoot the problem, but some features might not be available in this mode. Do you want to start in safe mode?". No options for "Repair Now". Safe mode also has the same problem, as I said. I definitely have a valid license and it is linked properly.
I've already tried uninstalling and reinstalling fresh, but I'll try the Online Repair you suggested and see if that works.
I agree that the file search under File this is superior to the File Explorer you get with Shift F+12. I am not seeing the problem with searching for G or R.
I am curious as to which version of Word you are using. I am using Microsoft 365 Family version 2604. My menu looks a bit different with more options on the right side:
How are you getting to that screen? What series of mouse movements/keystrokes?
In the meantime consider setting your options to not display Backstage when using Ctrl+O but rather go to the File Explorer dialog.
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This is a user-to-user support forum.
Microsoft is not hearing about your problems from what you post here. You are discussing a problem with your fellow users here. We can give good advice about how to work with Word as it is and give suggestions for making it work properly.
Designers and their supervisors do see feedback. (You will almost certainly not get a direct response to that feedback but they do see it.)
Here is more about that:
I suggest using the public feedback portal so other users can see your feedback, comment and vote. If you want, you can post the URL of your feedback with your question here to lead others with the same problem to your feedback. Be the “squeaky wheel” that gets fixed!
Hi Lisa,
That does not cause a problem here.
Can you try Repair and Reinstallation of package.
Try to check if you have similar issue in web.
Can you also try in a different PC to find if it is Machine specific or account.
If you still face the issue rename the Global Templates:Close Word completely.
Press Windows Key + R, type %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates, and hit Enter.
Find the file named Normal.dotm.
Right-click it and rename it to Normal.old.
Relaunch Word and try pressing "G" in the file search. Word will automatically generate a fresh, healthy template.
You can also try checking the registry keys :Close all Office apps.
Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Data
Right-click the Data folder and select Export (to save a backup just in case).
Right-click the Data folder again and select Delete.
Restart Word. It will rebuild this key on launch
Please let us know if you still face the issue after these steps. Thank you.Hi Tarunsairaavi. I tried both of those steps and that file and folder do indeed regenerate. However, the problem still occurs.
I've attached 2 screenshots to show you what I mean. In Safe Mode, it doesn't respond before eventually crashing. Outside of Safe Mode (normally), it just crashes the app immediately.
Thank you.
Hi,
You start Word, you press Ctrl + F12, Word then navigates to the default open/save folder? When typing a "G" into the "File name" box, Word crashes? Not problem with other letters?
Hi Lisa. Sorry for the late reply. That shortcut only opens File Explorer to select a file from your PC, which isn't ideal compared to Word's built-in search box or Word displaying recent files. Especially with documents on OneDrive.
I've attached 2 screenshots of what search box I meant in my original post. In Safe Mode, it doesn't respond before eventually crashing. Outside of Safe Mode (normally), it just crashes the app immediately. It does not crash with any other letters or putting G after other letters, only with G coming first (either spamming G or putting G first before other letters). It also does not happen with Excel or PowerPoint, and still happens after doing an Online Repair.
Thanks.
