1. Check if Word is Installed Properly
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Try manually launching Word. Does it open without issues?
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Try creating a new blank document manually. If it crashes or hangs, the issue is with Word itself.
Fix:
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Repair Microsoft Office:
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Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features
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Select Microsoft Office > Click Change > Select Quick Repair, then Online Repair if needed
2. Update Everything
Make sure all components are up to date:
3. Check Your PAD Flow
If Excel launches but Word doesn't, the issue might be in your PAD script.
Test with Simple Flow:
Create a minimal PAD flow:
Does Word launch with this flow?
4. Run PAD as Administrator
Sometimes Word requires elevated permissions.
Then re-run the flow.
5. Word COM Add-ins or Startup Templates May Be Blocking
Corrupt Normal.dotm or problematic Add-ins can prevent automation.
Fix:
Also disable COM Add-ins:
6. Check Office Licensing
If Word is not activated properly, automation can silently fail.
7. Recreate the Word Automation Actions
Sometimes PAD flows get corrupted.
8. Event Viewer Logs
Check logs to diagnose Word crashes:
This can tell you if Word is crashing silently.
9. Reinstall Power Automate Desktop (last resort)
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Add Launch Word action (no parameters).
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Add Display Message to confirm flow continues.
Close Word.
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Go to:C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
Rename Normal.dotm to Normal.old
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Re-launch PAD and try again.
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Regards,
Riyaz
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Open Word manually
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File > Options > Add-ins > Manage: COM Add-ins > Go…
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Uncheck everything and test
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Delete and reinsert the Launch Word and related actions.
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Save the flow under a new name.
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Press Windows + R > type eventvwr
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Go to Windows Logs > Application
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Look for errors related to WINWORD.EXE
