Why Does Microsoft Word Keep Getting Stuck on Processing? Quick Fixes That Work

How Can You Fix Microsoft Word’s Terrible Processing Loop Problem?

I’ve helped countless people fix this exact problem. When Word gets stuck on “Processing,” it’s maddening. You’re trying to work, and the program just sits there spinning. Let me walk you through the fixes that work.

What Causes This Problem?

Word gets stuck processing for several reasons. OneDrive sync issues top the list. Your Office files might be corrupted. Cache problems happen too. Sometimes it’s just a bad update.

The good news? Most of these fixes are simple.

Solution 1: Update Your Office Software

Start here. Old Office versions have bugs. New updates fix them.

1. Open any Office app
2. Go to File > Account
3. Click “Update Options“
4. Select “Update Now“
5. Wait for it to finish. Restart Word and test your document.

Solution 2: Clear Office Cache Files

Corrupted cache files cause major headaches. Clearing them often solves the processing loop.

Here’s how I do it:

1. Close all Office programs completely
2. Press Windows + R
3. Type %temp% and hit Enter
4. Delete all files you can (some might be locked)
5. Empty your Recycle Bin
6. Restart Word

Solution 3: Reset OneDrive Connection

Since most processing issues happen with OneDrive files, resetting the connection helps.

Try these commands in order:

First command:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Paste: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
3. Click OK

If that fails, try:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

Still not working? Use:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

OneDrive will restart automatically. Give it a few minutes to sync.

Solution 4: Test Your Document Online

Sometimes the file itself is the problem. Check if it opens in your browser:

1. Go to OneDrive.com
2. Log in with your account
3. Find your stuck document
4. Click to open it

If it opens fine online, the file isn’t corrupted. If it won’t open, you might need file recovery tools.

Solution 5: Turn Off Auto Save Temporarily

Auto Save can cause conflicts. Here’s how to disable it:

1. Open Word in Safe Mode (hold Ctrl while starting Word)
2. Look for the Auto Save toggle in the top left
3. Turn it off
4. Try opening your document normally

Keep it off until you update Office again. You’ll need to save manually, but it’s better than being stuck.

Solution 6: Disable Protected View

Protected View sometimes interferes with OneDrive files. Turn it off temporarily:

Open Word

1. Click File > Options
2. Select Trust Center
3. Click Trust Center Settings
4. Choose Protected View
5. Uncheck all three boxes
6. Click OK

This makes Word less secure, so turn it back on later.

Solution 7: Repair Your Office Installation

Office has a built-in repair tool. Use it when other fixes fail:

1. Go to Control Panel
2. Find Programs and Features
3. Locate Microsoft Office
4. Right-click and select Change
5. Choose Online Repair
6. Follow the prompts

This takes time but fixes many issues.

Solution 8: Roll Back or Reinstall Office

Bad updates cause problems. Rolling back helps:

1. Open any Office app
2. Go to File > Account
3. Click Update Options
4. Select “View Updates“
5. Look for rollback options

If rolling back doesn’t work, reinstall Office completely. Make sure you have your license key first.

Why Word Freezes in the First Place

Several things cause Word to freeze:

• Low computer memory – Word needs RAM to work properly
• Huge files – Documents over 50MB often cause problems
• Bad add-ins – Third-party plugins can conflict
• Printer issues – Faulty printer drivers cause freezing
• Corrupted files – Damaged documents won’t open correctly

When Word Won’t Respond At All

If Word completely freezes:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete
2. Open Task Manager
3. Find Microsoft Word
4. Click “End Task“
5. Restart Word

You might lose unsaved work, but it’s sometimes the only option.

Prevention Tips

Stop this from happening again:

• Save frequently – Don’t rely only on Auto Save
• Keep Office updated – Install updates when they’re available
• Use smaller files – Break large documents into sections
• Clean your cache regularly – Do this monthly
• Restart Word daily – Don’t leave it running for weeks

Word processing problems are fixable. Start with the simple solutions first. Update Office, clear your cache, and reset OneDrive. These three steps solve most issues.

If you’re still stuck after trying everything, the problem might be deeper. Consider getting help from IT support or Microsoft directly.

The key is staying patient and working through the fixes systematically. Don’t skip steps or try multiple solutions at once. One fix at a time works best.

Most people get their Word working again within 30 minutes using these methods. The processing loop is annoying, but it’s not permanent.