Read time: 7 minutes
Summary: To fix Word cannot open this document template, perform an Office repair, change the startup file location, disable add-ins, rename the .dotm file, and verify the template location and permissions. If file corruption is the primary cause, repair them immediately.
For flexibility to easily set all the elements, including title, heading, paragraph, and design, massive users prefer Microsoft Word Template. But if your Word fails to load or validate the Template feature, you get the “Document Template Is Not Valid” error. Documents fail to open, or even sometimes Word crashes during startup.
Since it can put a severe halt to your smooth-running work, this problem must be resolved immediately. So, here, we’ll discuss all info along with reasons, signs, as well as step-by-step assistance to fix Word cannot open this document template.
What is “The Document Template is Not Valid” Error
“The document template is not valid” or “the add-in template is not valid” error is less common in newer versions such as Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Word 2024, than in older versions. It occurs when you open existing Word documents, create a new document from a template, load a macro-enabled template, or even start Microsoft Word, and it impacts workflow.
Below are similar messages that you may face when ‘The document template is not valid error’ occurs:
- Word cannot open this document template
- Document Template Is Not Valid
- The attached template is invalid.
- The template could not be opened.
For quick solutions, try these fixes:
- Restart Microsoft Word
- Open Word in Safe Mode
- Rename the Normal.dotm template
- Check Trust Centre settings in Word
- Verify the template location and permissions
Reasons for The Document Template is Not Valid’ Error
Several factors are responsible but below are a few prime reasons why Word cannot open this document template:
- Incorrect template location
- Corrupted or damaged normal.dotm template
- Damaged Word template (.dotx or .dotm)
- Faulty or incompatible COM Add-ins
- Improper Microsoft Office installation
- Word file corruption
However, these look like a major issue but you can recover Word documents easily.
Methods to Fix ‘The Document Template is Not Valid’ Error
Follow the methods given below one by one to fix Word cannot open this document template error.
Method 1: Change the Location of the Startup File
There are a few errors, including invalid template, which are caused when any add-ins in the Startup folder are incompatible with MS Word. It becomes urgent to identify the exact add-in that is causing this issue and later change its location.
- Before proceeding with the process, ensure that you quit all the running Microsoft Office programs on your system.
- According to your MS Word version, open the Word Startup file from the location-
- MS Word 2016- Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\Startup
- MS Word 2013- Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\Startup
- MS Word 2010- Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\Startup
- MS Word 2007- Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\Startup
- MS Word 2003- Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Startup
- MS Word 2002- Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\Startup
- MS Word 2000- Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Startup
- Move all the files present in that folder to your desktop.
- Now, open this folder-
Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup
Again, if there are any files in this folder, move them to your desktop. Exit and restart Microsoft Word. Lastly, do check if you are still facing the error pop-up “this template is currently unavailable for you”. If yes, move to the next solution.
Method 2: Disable Faulty Add-Ins in Word
Another approach to immediately stop the MS Word error “the document template is not valid” is to disable certain add-ins. With this, you can even fix the Word file won’t open error [if it persists]. In addition, it helps to run the Word program faster and smoother.
- Launch MS Word and click on File, then tap on Options.
- Go to Add-ins and select Word Add-in from the Manage drop-down menu. Tap on Go.
- Check the problematic add-ins and tap on Remove . You can move to the next categories until you find the particular invalid add-ins.
Restart Word and try to open your file.
Method 3: Repair Microsoft Office Installation
You can solve many errors occurring in any of your Microsoft programs, including this one, by simply running the MS Office repair.
- Open Control Panel, then move to Programs and Features.
- Right-click on Microsoft Office, tap Change.
- Select Quick Repair and click Repair. The repair process will start.
Once repaired, restart your system and open the Word document.
Repair Documents using Word’s Open and Repair Feature
For minor corruption in a Word file, the ‘Open and Repair’ feature can work. Here are the steps to follow to repair Word file:
- In Microsoft Word, go to the File tab, then Open
- Click Browse, select the corrupted document.
- Tap on Open and Repair in the Open button dropdown.
Wait for Word to complete the repair process. After that, try to open that file in Word.
Repair Severely Corrupted Word Files With Ease
Sometimes neither Word’s repair tools nor template troubleshooting methods can fix Word cannot open this document template error. There might be severe corruption in Word files. So, professional Word repair software is needed for resolution.
Often, virus corruption in Microsoft Word can lead to such errors in documents. These need to be resolved urgently before they get out of hand. Kernel for Word Repair helps users to repair virus-infected MS Word files with the original structure and content intact. It offers users an easy Word document recovery due to its simple interface
- Get Kernel for Word Repair software on your computer.
- Open it, click on Add File(s), select the Word files, and then tap Open.
- It will be enlisted in the tool. Select Repair File(s).
- Now, choose a location to save the repaired documents anywhere on your system. Click on OK.
- The status of the repairing procedure will be displayed.
- After a successful repair, it will be saved on the selected location. Click on OK.
Last Say
All the wonderful features of the template in MS Word can be lost if it doesn’t work properly. Now, you can fix Word cannot open this document template error, no matter what the reason is. When device-specific and application-specific solutions don’t work, then there is severe corruption in files behind the trouble. So first go for the native file repair option, then use the Kernel for Word Repair software. Get your free trial today to know more.
