[4 Workarounds] Fix “The File Cannot Be Opened Because There Are Problems With The Contents” Error

The “File (.docx) cannot be opened because there are Problems with the Contents – Unspecified Error” can annoy you since Microsoft has not recommended any fix regarding this error. This problem “the file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents” is easy to resolve. It is an “Unspecified error” and the screen prompts the information on where the error is located in Word XML file (the exact line and column).

But, according to the information gained from the Microsoft site that it is very complicated to fix Microsoft word the file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents error. Well, you need not worry about, in this post you will get some quick & easy workarounds and of course how it works. So, let’s get started…

How Do You Fix The File Cannot Be Opened Because There Are Problems With The Contents?

You can easily repair can’t open a docx file because we found a problem with its contents error by trying the below-listed approaches.

Fix #1: Use the Open & Repair Feature 

Microsoft Word has a built-in repairing feature that is “Open & Repair”. It can perhaps fix almost all the issues and corruption which detected on a Word document.

• First of all, start the MS Word.
• On a “File” menu or MS Office button, you need to click on “Open“.

• Under an Open dialog box, simply tap to choose a blank Word document.
• At this time, make a tap on the down arrow on “Open” button
• Now, click on the “Open & Repair” option.

If this solution unable to solve the file normal.dotm cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents error, then try the next method.

Fix #2: Using The Google Docs

Sometimes, it may happen that there is an issue with a local machine that’s why you are getting the file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents Word 2010 or other annoying errors. So, in that case, you can try to open your corrupt Word document with Google Docs. Here are the easy steps to do so:

• Send a corrupted Word document to your Google Gmail account
• Next, open mail & click on the attachment to just open your document with the Google Docs previewer
• After that, click on the open with Google Docs & see a file content
• At this time, make a tap on the File >> Download As then choose the options Microsoft Word (.docx)

• Now, simply open a downloaded file with the Microsoft Word.

Fix #3: Use Internet Explorer browser to fix this error

Step 1 – Firstly you need to open the Microsoft live or Hotmail account if you don’t have to make one.

Step 2: from the top menu make the mouse hover the “Office” logo and then click on the “your documents” as shown in the screen capture below.

Step 3 Next you need to navigate the “Add files” as shown below and select the corrupted .doc file from the location on your computer and upload it to the Office.

Step 4: Then, go to “My Documents” and click on “Edit in Browser” as it is shown in the screenshot.

Step 5: This will open the .docx file in the browser. You need to kindly note that this is the reason why you need to use Internet Explorer.

Note: This feature does not work with Mozilla or Chrome.

Fix #4: Fix With MS Word File Repair Tool

After trying the above three solutions, if you fail to fix the content error or unspecified error, then you can try the best recommended Word File Repair Tool.

This outstanding software will help you to fix and get back your data from even “the file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents” error. It is one of the best tools that helps you in repairing corrupt or inaccessible (.doc) and (.docx) files with ease.

It extracts the content from the file and rebuilds a new healthy word file that you can access easily. So your document and table of content both get safe even after the occurrence of such errors.

So, simply install and download this effective program from the below-given buttons to repair not responding or corrupt Word documents in a hassle-free manner.

Here are the easy steps on how to execute this feature-loaded tool…

Steps To Repair The File Cannot Be Opened Because There Are Problems With The Contents

Step 1:  User needs to just select a single file by clicking on a ‘Select File’ option or simply on a folder that contains all word files. They need to click on the ‘Select Folder’ or need to find the file clicking on the ‘Find File’ option.

 Step 2:  As a list of the selected files is displayed, users need to thus make the selection of the Word file by using a checkbox that they want to repair. They need to select all files by marking the ‘Select All’ checkbox. After that, they need to click on the ‘Scan’ button.

Step 3: He/she could easily saw the preview of the scanned file just by clicking on the file in both ‘Full document, and ‘Filtered text’ formats by clicking the tab given on the middle pane of the window.

Step 4:  If the scanned word file sis a*.doc file, then there will a available preview in “Raw text” format along with the ‘Filtered Text’ formats and ‘Full Document’ and ‘Filtered Text’ formats.

Step 5:   For repairing, user need to simply click on the click on the ‘Start Repair’ option.  Then they need to make selection of the option for saving their file from ‘Save Document’ dialog box and thus click ‘Ok’ button.

What Causes “The File .Docx cannot Be Opened Because There Are Problems with the Contents” Error?

Well, there are various factors responsible for not responding to Microsoft Word or prompting the file .docx cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents” error. Some of the most common reasons are stated below:

1. Due to old & new versions are not compatible
2. Large-sized documents (Files are over 200kb threshold and contains non-text elements.)
3. Corruption/damage of a storage media that used to save the Word file
4. Complicated functioning & advanced operations

Bottom Line

Getting an error message “The file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents Word” is quite common. And this issue is encounter by several users while opening the Office documents. But, let me tell you one thing, this unspecified error can be easily fixed by trying some effective techniques.

So, in this page, I have mentioned all about this issue along with its common factors. Apart from this, I have also disclosed some working techniques to troubleshoot this error. Now, users can opt for any solution according to their requirements.

Steven Telfer is a senior writer at filerepairtool.net. He is a technology expert having over 4 years of experience and loves to write in different subjects like Video Repair, Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, Word & others. He has a Master’s degree in Computer Application and has solve many technical problems. In free time, he loves to read books and do research work to grow in his field.