Fixing MS Word Error “The File Cannot Be Opened Because There Are Problems with the Contents”
Encountering the error “The file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents” while trying to open a Word document can feel incredibly frustrating, especially if it’s an important file you need to access quickly. Don’t worry—this is a common issue, and there are several ways to fix it. In this blog, I’ll walk you through the reasons this error happens and how to resolve it so you can get back to working on your document without any hassle.
Why Does This Error Happen?
There are a few common reasons why this error pops up:
- Corrupt or damaged document: Things like virus infections, sudden power cuts, or faulty storage devices can corrupt your Word document.
- File is too large: If your document has a lot of images or other non-text elements and is over 200KB in size, it might trigger this issue.
- Version incompatibility: Sometimes, trying to open older
.docfiles in newer versions of Word can cause problems. - Corrupted file header: If the file header is damaged, Word might not be able to read or open the document.
- Word crashed: Unexpected Word crashes can leave a file corrupted or inaccessible.
- Incomplete file transfer: If the document wasn’t properly saved or transferred, it could become corrupted.
- Frequent upgrades: Opening and saving a document in multiple versions of Word over time can also cause issues.
How to Fix ‘The File Cannot Be Opened Because There Are Problems with the Contents’
Before we jump into the fixes, make sure other Word documents are opening on your PC. If no Word files open, the problem might be with your Word installation or your computer. If other files are opening fine, then try the following solutions:
1. Adjust Trust Center Settings
Sometimes Word’s security settings can prevent you from opening a file, especially if it was downloaded from the internet or sent via email.
Steps:
- Open Microsoft Word.
- Go to File > Options.
- Select Trust Center, then click Trust Center Settings.
- Navigate to the Protected View tab and uncheck all boxes.
- Click OK, close Word, and try opening your document again.
This temporarily disables Word’s security features for opening files, so make sure you trust the document before proceeding.
2. Use Word’s Open and Repair Feature
Word has a built-in feature that attempts to repair any issues within a file while opening it. This is a great first step to try if the document seems corrupt.
Steps:
- Open Microsoft Word.
- Click File > Open and browse for the document.
- Click the small arrow next to the Open button and select Open and Repair.
Word will try to fix any issues with the document during the opening process.
3. Open the Document in Google Docs
If Word can’t repair the document, try opening it in Google Docs. Sometimes Google’s document viewer can bypass certain corruptions.
Steps:
- Send the document to yourself via Gmail.
- Open the attachment in Google Docs.
- Once opened, go to File > Download As > Microsoft Word (.docx).
Download the file and try opening it in Word again.
4. Use a Third-Party Repair Tool
If none of the above solutions work, using a specialized Word Repair Tool can help recover text, images, and formatting from corrupt files. These tools work with various file formats such as .doc and .docx and are compatible with different Word versions.
Steps:
- Download and install a Word Document Repair Tool.
- Follow the simple process: ADD > CHOOSE > REPAIR.
- Once repaired, save the file and try opening it again.
Conclusion
Dealing with the error “The file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents” can be annoying, but with the right approach, you can usually recover the document. Whether you adjust the Trust Center settings, use Word’s built-in repair feature, or turn to Google Docs, these methods should help you access your file. And if all else fails, a third-party repair tool can often save the day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why am I getting the “problems with contents” error in Word?
This error is typically due to file corruption, version incompatibility, or a large file size with complex media elements.
2. How do I change the Trust Center settings to fix this?
Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings and disable all the options under Protected View to allow Word to open potentially risky files.
3. What does Word’s “Open and Repair” feature do?
The Open and Repair feature scans and attempts to fix any issues within the file as it opens, which is a helpful first step when dealing with corrupted documents.
4. Can I use Google Docs to fix a Word file?
Yes, Google Docs can sometimes open and repair corrupted Word documents. After opening the file in Google Docs, you can download it as a .docx and try opening it again in Word.
5. When should I use a third-party tool to fix my Word document?
If other methods don’t work, or if you’re dealing with multiple corrupted files, using a third-party Word Repair Tool is often the best and most efficient solution.
I am a Technical Writer at SoftMagnat Software and having experience around 8 years, focused on creating clear and user-friendly documentation for software products. I simplify complex concepts into easy-to-understand guides, manuals, and tutorials.
