[Fix] Why Is My Microsoft Word Locked and won’t Let Me Type (100% Working)

Microsoft Word is the go-to for our research work and assignments. Even typing in a formal letter has very few alternatives. 

But sometimes while you move away from the word window, it locks you out. You can restart the computer, or close the working page, which will do the work, but it might mean your unsaved work will be lost. 

Most of the time the add-ins are the culprit for this problem. They malfunction ending up locking your typing. 

We are going to talk about why your Microsoft Word is locked and won’t let you type in today’s article and provide you with the solution. 

How to solve the ‘Why Is My Microsoft Word Locked and won’t Let Me Type’ Issue

Just by following the steps below, you can remove the typing lock on your Microsoft Word. For this, you have to go into Safe Mode to remove the add-ins. As data might be lost if you restart your computer, this is the safest way to deal with it. 

Step 1: Go to File, then to the Options menu. Choose General and you will be shown at the bottom of the Right corner to Show the start screen.

Step 2: If you are unable to access this, then you should jump into Safe Mode. Hold down the Ctrl button and click on the software until it asks for Safe mode confirmation.

Step 3: Start Microsoft Word in Safe Mode and disable add-ins. Make sure all of them are disabled. Close and start Microsoft Word again. You will find MS Word working fine now. 

Step 4: If it doesn’t, you might need to run a troubleshooting and restore or repair using its original installation files. Start the program and follow the steps of the installation till it gives you the option to Install or Repair. Choose Repair from the menu.

Additional Fix: Always use the licensed version of MS Word to avoid any inconvenience. If you don’t have the setup file to repair your Word, you can do it online. A good old Restart of your computer fixes everything if nothing else works. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can’t type in Word because the selection is locked?

If you are not the first editor, the owner might have locked some of the sections. To unlock it, simply enter the password on the protection window. To access it, go to File, then Protect Document, Restrict Editing and click on Stop Protection.  

Why has my Microsoft Word been locked?

Some shared MS Word files come as locked due to the owner’s protection. And if you have a trial version of Microsoft Word, it will cause a lock on editing documents too. Simply get the password and update it to a full version of MS Word. 

Conclusion

Being locked out of your Microsoft Word is frustrating. The reasons are a few too many. Trial versions, password-protected documents, and even if you are using a laptop, your keyboard can be locked with shortcut keys. Simply look at all of them and a simple restart can help everything go to normal.