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Run-time error "53" window pop out when I use WORD

Carol Carol 5 Reputation points
2026-05-31T22:45:38.9733333+00:00

Why is there a window pop out saying Visual Basic for Application, Run-time error "53" when I open WORD.Ru

Developer technologies | Visual Basic for Applications
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  1. Danny Nguyen (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 6,945 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-06-01T06:26:16.3333333+00:00

    Hi @Carol Carol .

    Run-time error “53” means “File not found”. It often appears when Word starts because a macro, add-in, template, or startup file is trying to load a file that no longer exists or is in the wrong location.

    Try these steps:

    1. Start Word in Safe Mode

    • Press Win + R
      • Type:
      
   winword /safe
    • Press Enter If Word opens without the error, the problem is likely an add-in or startup template.

    2. Disable Word add-ins

    • Open Word
      • Go to File > Options > Add-ins
      • At the bottom, choose COM Add-ins and click Go
      • Uncheck add-ins and restart Word

    3. Check the Word Startup folder

    Look for old template/add-in files in the Word Startup folder, often located at:

    
   %appdata%\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP

    Move any files there temporarily to another folder, then reopen Word.

    4. Check Normal.dotm

    Close Word, then rename this file if it exists:

    
   %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dotm

    For example, rename it to:

    
   Normal_old.dotm

    Word will create a new default one when it starts.

    5. Repair Microsoft Office

    • Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features
      • Select Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365
      • Choose Change
      • Run Quick Repair first, then Online Repair if needed

    Let me know if these steps work. I would greatly appreciate it if you could follow this guidance or provide feedback.

    Thank you. 

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  2. AI answer

    2026-05-31T22:45:52.0166667+00:00

    The “Run-time error ‘53’ – File not found” message when opening Word is caused by Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) trying to load a file (often from an add‑in) that no longer exists at the specified path.

    In current Word installations, this is frequently triggered by a third‑party add‑in, most commonly from Adobe (Acrobat/PDF add‑ins) that left behind an invalid reference. The add‑in tells Word/VBA to load a DLL or framework file, but that file has been moved or removed, so VBA raises error 53.

    To resolve this kind of problem:

    1. Identify and remove or update the problematic add‑in (for example, an Adobe/Acrobat PDF add‑in) so that Word no longer tries to load the missing file.
    2. If the error is caused by Adobe’s components, follow Adobe’s guidance or contact Adobe/Acrobat support, as they control the add‑in and its file locations.
    3. If Word or Office itself appears damaged (for example, other VBA features fail), run an Online Repair of Office to restore missing or corrupted components.

    If the error text includes a path under an Adobe or Acrobat folder, the fix must come from removing or correcting that Adobe add‑in.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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