Can’t open new Microsoft Word document – Microsoft Word normal.dot / normal.dotm fix

If you cannot open a blank Microsoft Word document, chances are your template file in Word is corrupted.  The template file in word, a.k.a. Normal.dot, a.k.a. global template file, controls all of the formatting, AutoText, and overall template within Word.  It affects how Word opens, closes, and saves as well. 

If you cannot open a new Microsoft Word document, your global template file within Word may be corrupted.  There is a simple fix for this.  However, before implementing the fix, check other programs to see if they open or not.  If they also do not open, you probably have a virus infection and need to have a virus specialist remove it. 

Here’s how to fix your inability to open a new Word document:

1. Close all Microsoft Office programs.
2. Go to C:Users<Profile>AppDataLocalMicrosoftTemplates
3. For Word 2000 / 2002 / 2003, change Normal.dot to OldNormal.dot. 
4. For Word 2007 / 2010, change Normal.dotm to OldNormal.dotm.
5. Start Word

After renaming the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm, Word will recreate a new template file which should allow you to get back into opening new Word documents again.  If this doesn’t work, you should contact a Microsoft Word specialist.