Recognizing that "stuff" happens, Microsoft offers an Office Repair utility. Because Word 2016 is a part of the Office suite of programs, the Office Repair utility works to fix anything horrifically wrong with Word. Obey these steps:
- Close Word and any other Office programs. You should do so now; otherwise, you'll be asked to do so again later.
- Press the Win+X keyboard shortcut. In Windows 10, the Windows-and-X key combination brings up the super-secret shortcut menu in the lower left corner of the screen. If you're using Windows 7, just click on the Start button.
- Choose Control Panel.
- Below the Programs heading, click the Uninstall a Program link. Don't freak out: You're not uninstalling Word. The link should read "Uninstall or Change a Program," which is the title of the Control Panel screen you see next.
- Select Microsoft Office from the list of programs. The name may be subtly different, such as Microsoft Office 2016 or Microsoft Office 365.
- Click the Change button.
The Office Repair utility runs, showing a screen similar to the one shown here.
The Office Repair utility. - Choose Quick Repair. If this choice doesn't work, go back and choose Online Repair when you try again.
- Click the Repair button.
- Click the Repair button again to confirm.
- Wait. The Office Repair utility attempts to figure out what's wrong. What happens next depends on whether anything is fixed. If something needs attention, obey the directions on the screen. If everything is fine, you see the Done Repairing message (even if nothing was actually wrong).
- Click the Close button.
