Many users, while working on MS Word, come across errors such as unreadable content Microsoft Word errors. This error can cause various problems with an MS Word file and cause trouble while reading it. There can be various reasons for this issue, such as a corrupt MS Word file or outdated MS Word software. Luckily, you can try various methods to diagnose and fix this issue. In this guide, we will discuss Word found unreadable content Windows 10 issues on your computer. Continue reading to fix unreadable content in Microsoft Word.
How to Fix Unreadable Content in Microsoft Word
There can be plenty of reasons for the Word found unreadable content Windows 11 issue with Microsoft Word; some of the more common reasons are mentioned below.
- A corrupt or malfunctioning MS Office add-in is a common reason for the issue.
- An outdated MS Office version is also one of the common reasons for this error.
- If MS Office has bugs and corrupt files, it can cause this error with a document.
- Improper data syncing with OneDrive can also cause this issue with MS Office.
- A data error while downloading an MS Word file from the internet is sometimes associated with an unreadable document error.
- Formatting issues with MS Word can also cause this issue.
- Malware or viruses on your computer can also cause issues with MS Word.
- An outdated and corrupt Windows update can also cause this issue.
- A damaged or corrupt MS Word file can show an unreadable document error.
- If you have transferred the file from a different computer, improper file permissions can also cause this issue.
- Multiple file format conversions for a single file can sometimes cause formatting issues that can further show unreadable document issues.
- If MS Word crashes abruptly, it can cause various errors, including unreadable document issues.
- If an MS Word file contains a lot of graphics, it can cause various issues, such as this one.
In this guide, we will discuss methods to figure out how to fix unreadable content Microsoft Word issues.
Method 1: Open Microsoft Word Without Add-Ins
If you are wondering why is my Microsoft Word document displaying strange unreadable text instead of the supposed content, it can be due to a corrupt add-in that you have installed on your MS Word program. Word found unreadable content Windows 10 is a common issue and can be easily avoided by opening the Word file without add-ins from the Word.
1. Press Windows + R keys together to open the Run dialog box.
2. Here, type Winword and hit the Enter key.
3. Now, press the Enter key to open MS Word without add-ins.
If this does not fix the Word found unreadable content Windows 11 issue, try the next method.
Method 2: Update Microsoft Office
If you are using an outdated Microsoft Office version, you may experience glitches with MS Word and other Office applications. Sometimes, the unreadable text issue can also be caused by an outdated Office version. Therefore, you should consider updating MS Office on your device.
1. Open Microsoft Word from the start menu and open a Blank Document.
2. Now, click on Files in the top-right corner of the window.
3. From the left-side panel, click on Account.
4. Now, click on the Update Options drop-down.
5. Finally, click on Update Now.
If this does not help and you are still wondering how to fix unreadable content Microsoft Word issues, try the next method.
Also Read: How to Fix We’re Sorry But Word Has Run into an Error in Windows 10
Method 3: Repair Microsoft Office
Sometimes, the issue can also be caused by a bug in MS Office or a corrupt version of Office. Therefore, repairing your MS Office program is a good idea to fix this issue. MS Office provides users with a repair utility that can detect and resolve why is my Microsoft Word document displaying a strange unreadable text.
1. Press Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.
2. Here, click on Apps.
3. Now, locate Microsoft Office and select it.
4. Here, click on Modify.
5. Finally, click Repair to allow MS Office to detect and resolve the Word found unreadable content Windows 10 issue.
If this method does not help with resolving the Word found unreadable content Windows 11 and Windows 10 issues, try the next method.
Method 4: Open Earlier Version History
If you have saved the document in OneDrive or if the data has been synced with OneDrive, the issue can sometimes be caused by improper syncing of the file to the drive. You can avoid this issue by using an earlier version history of your file.
1. Press Windows + E keys simultaneously to open File Explorer.
2. In the File Explorer, navigate to OneDrive.
3. Locate your file and right-click on it.
4. Select Version history to open a previous version of the file.
Also Read: How to Insert Equation in Word
Method 5: Use Stable Internet Network (If Applicable)
If you are downloading an MS Word file from the internet or via email, sometimes improper data transfer due to network issues can corrupt the file, and you may receive this error on Microsoft Word. To avoid these issues, you can make sure to use a stable internet connection. You can also try to fix the WiFi issues that may be causing the network to be unstable. If you are not using WiFi, make sure to contact your internet provider to resolve the bad internet issues. If you are getting weak signals, you can check out the Slow Internet Connection? 10 Ways to Speed up your Internet! guide to finding ways to fix the internet issues.
Method 6: Open File in Notepad
This is an effective method to help you understand why is my Microsoft Word document displaying strange unreadable text, and fix the unreadable document issues on Microsoft Word documents. Notepad is an in-built writing tool in Windows computers, you can use this tool to copy and paste an unreadable document and save it as a new file. However, this method will remove all the Word formatting from your document, and you will have to reformat the doc.
1. Open the File Manager by pressing the Windows + E keys together.
2. Now, navigate to the location path of the problematic file.
3. Right-click on the file and click on Open with….
4. Now, from the available options, select Notepad, and then click OK.
Note: You may see some extra characters on your Notepad, that it could not detect from the word file.
5. Remove all the extra characters from the Notepad document.
6. Now, click on File.
7. Here, click on Save As….
8. Now, rename the Word file and Save it as a .docx file.
9. Locate the file in the saved location and open it in MS Word.
Also Read: How to Disable Microsoft Word Spell Checker
Method 7: Run Malware Scan
It is also common for a Word file to get corrupt due to malware or a virus attack. Therefore, if you receive an unreadable text error on your Microsoft Word, immediately scan your computer for possible viruses and malware threats. If you are not sure how to do this, you can check out the How do I Run a Virus Scan on my Computer? guide to find ways to perform a virus scan using different antivirus programs.
Method 8: Update Windows
Sometimes, the issue can be caused by a corrupt or outdated Windows update. If your Windows update is not compatible with Microsoft Office and Word, you can experience various issues and bugs while working on Word. Therefore, it is best to check for the latest Windows updates on your computer for Word to run smoothly. If you are not sure how to install updates on your Windows 10 computer, you can check the How to Download and Install Windows 10 Latest Update guide to find steps to safely update Windows on your Windows 10 computer.
Method 9: Use Recover Text Option
The Recover Text from a File tool is an effective tool to fix unreadable text issues with your MS Word file. You can use this tool to help Word read the text in your file and avoid issues.
Note: Even though Recover Text from a File is a reliable and effective method, it has its limitations. This method will not be able to recover any graphics in your file, such as images, graphs, charts, or animations.
1. Open MS Word from the start menu and open a new file.
2. Now, click on File from the top-right of the screen.
3. Here, navigate to the Open tab and click Browse.
4. Locate the problematic file.
5. Select the file and click on the All Files drop-down menu.
6. Now, locate and select the Recover Text from Any File option.
7. Finally, click the Open option.
Also Read: Fix Word File Permission Error in Windows 10
Method 10: Use Open and Repair Option
The Open and Repair option is also an in-built Word tool, that helps you remove bugs and repair a corrupted Word file on your computer. It is an effective method of repairing a file that shows an unreadable text error.
1. Open MS Word from the start menu and open a new file.
2. Now, click on File from the top-right of the screen.
3. Here, locate and navigate to the Open tab, and then click Browse.
4. Locate the problematic file and select it.
5. Now, locate and click on the drop-down icon next to Open.
6. Here, select Open and Repair.
Method 11: Enable Unblock Option
One of the reasons why is my Microsoft Word document displaying a strange unreadable text can be due to improper file permissions. When you transfer a Word file from a different computer or get a file as an email attachment, Word does not open these files to avoid any threat due to viruses on your computer. To avoid the Word found unreadable content Windows 10 issue, you will have to give permission to the file.
1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows + E keys on your computer.
2. Now, locate the problematic file and right-click on it.
3. Here, locate and click on Properties.
4. In the properties dialog box, locate and click on Unblock, and then click OK.
If this does not fix the Word found unreadable content Windows 11 issues, try the next method.
Method 12: Use Third-Party Software
Note: The information provided below is only for informative purposes. We do not endorse such websites and tools for subsequent usage.
If the previous methods do not help and you still don’t know how to fix unreadable content Microsoft Word, you can check out various third-party software to repair your .docx file. The WPS Office is one of the best Word alternatives that you can use to read and edit Word files on your desktop. You can also opt for various third-party repair tools to fix the issues with the Word file itself, you can check out the EaseUS Word Repair Tool to fix the unreadable text on Word issues.
Also Read: What is Page Break in Microsoft Word?
Additional Methods and Tips
The following are some of the additional methods and tips that you can use while editing your Word document to avoid any text-related issues later.
1. Avoid Multiple File Conversions
If you have converted the Word file from a different format multiple times, it can lead to various formatting issues and can show you this error. You can avoid this by not converting your file into different formats multiple times.
2. Avoid Inappropriate Shut Down of MS Word
If MS Word stops working and shuts down suddenly, you may lose your Word file content. Therefore, make sure you are not abruptly shutting down MS Word on your computer. Make sure you are receiving enough regular power and that your computer or laptop is charged.
3. Avoid Multiple Graphics in Word File
If you are editing a file that contains multiple graphics, such as graphs, charts, and images, it can make your Word file bulky and cause various issues with the file, such as unreadable text in the document. Therefore, to avoid this issue, you can limit the use of graphics in the document.
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We hope this guide was helpful to you and you were able to fix unreadable content Microsoft Word issue. Let us know which method worked for you. If you have any suggestions or queries for us, please let us know in the comment section.
