Quick answer
If Word reports that the file is corrupted or not saved, first check AutoRecover and temporary files, then open the document in recovery mode or from a backup. If that fails, use Open and Repair or restore a previous version from OneDrive or Windows File History.
How to recognize the problem
- Word shows the message "The file is corrupt and cannot be opened" or a similar error.
- The document opens but content is missing or altered.
- Word crashes when opening or saving the file.
- The file has disappeared from the folder or is not visible in the recent documents list.
- A message appears that the file is not saved or is read-only.
Most common causes
Unexpected Word closure
The application crashed, power was lost, or it was forcibly closed before Word saved all changes.
File corruption on disk
The file was partially written or corrupted due to a disk failure, interrupted transfer, or improper computer shutdown.
Incompatibility or add-in
Word add-ins or an incompatible version of the program can cause errors when opening or saving the document.
Cloud synchronization
OneDrive or SharePoint may show an outdated or incomplete version of the file if synchronization has not finished.
Malware
Rarely, a virus or malware can modify or lock the file, leading to corruption.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check AutoRecover options
Open Word and go to
File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents. If a list appears, select the most recent file and save it under a new name. Do the same viaFile > Open > Recover Unsaved Documents. - 2
Look for temporary files
Open File Explorer and type
%temp%in the address bar. Sort files by date and look for those with.tmpor.asdextensions that match the time you were working on the document. Copy them to a safe location and try to open them in Word viaFile > Open > Browse; if the file is not visible, select the option to show all files. - 3
Open the document in recovery mode
In Word, go to
File > Open > Browse, select the corrupted file, then next to theOpenbutton click the arrow and selectOpen and Repair. Word will try to repair the document and show the result. - 4
Restore a previous version from OneDrive
If the file is saved on OneDrive, open OneDrive in a browser, right-click the file, and select
Version history. Before clickingRestore, make a copy of the current version or save it under a different name. Select a previous version and clickRestore. Then download or open the restored copy. - 5
Use Windows File History
If protection is enabled, in File Explorer right-click the folder or file and select
Properties > Previous Versions. If a list exists, select a version. BeforeRestore, make a copy of the current file; it is safer to chooseOpenand save the version as a new file. - 6
Disable add-ins and try again
Start Word in safe mode: press
Windows + R, typewinword /safe, and press Enter. If the file opens, go toFile > Options > Add-ins, selectCOM Add-insorWord Add-insin theManagefield, and clickGo, then disable suspicious add-ins. Then restart Word. - 7
Copy content to a new document
If the document opens but with errors, open it and immediately go to
File > Save Asand save as.docxunder a new name. Then open a new blank document and copy the content (Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) to remove corrupted elements. - 8
Check disk and malware
Open Command Prompt as administrator. Before running, make a backup of important files. Run
chkdsk /ffor the system disk orchkdsk X: /ffor another disk (confirm scheduling at the next restart). Then run a full scan using Windows Security or another antivirus program.
If nothing helps: advanced options
If you still cannot open the document, try opening it in another program, such as LibreOffice Writer, and save it as .docx. You can also try changing the extension of a copy of the corrupted file to .zip and extracting it; inside you will find word/document.xml which you can open in a text editor and extract the text. For business users, if the file is on SharePoint, check Version history on the site itself. If the document is extremely important, contact IT support before further steps because any change can reduce the chance of recovery. Regularly make backups and enable AutoSave in Word.
How to prevent it
- Enable AutoSave and save documents to OneDrive or SharePoint.
- Regularly back up important folders (File History or manually).
- Disable unnecessary add-ins in Word and update Office.
- Do not turn off the computer while Word is running and wait for synchronization to finish.
When to call a professional
If the document contains critical data or the error repeats across multiple files, contact IT support before further steps because improper attempts can permanently damage the file.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Can I recover a file if Word did not save changes?
Yes, in many cases. Check `File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents` and temporary files in `%temp%`. If AutoSave is enabled, the version may be saved in the cloud.
What does the message "Word found unreadable content" mean?
It means Word cannot properly read part of the document. Click `Yes` to attempt recovery, then save the document under a new name. If that fails, use `Open and Repair`.
Is it safe to use the Open and Repair option?
Yes, it is a safe built-in option that does not change the original file until you save it. It is recommended to make a copy of the file first.