How to Fix the “Document Template is not Valid” Error in MS Word?

Read time: 6 minutes

Microsoft Word has consistently empowered users with a high-end suite of functionalities for document creation, editing, and formatting. As it has gone through drastic advancements throughout the years, it has made significant strides towards the flexible features of template creation.

It has provided users with full flexibility and customization of document elements, ranging from titles and headings to paragraphs and designs. But at times, there might come an error as “Document Template is not Valid”. So, what to do in such a case?

It is a not so common but easily resolvable error. We have jotted down the top solutions to fix this error and get you out of this situation in no time.

Error: “The document template is not valid”

Each time you attempt to open a Word document, you may encounter a pesky pop-up message stating either “the document template is not valid” or “the add-in template is not valid.” This frustrating message can impede your access to the document’s content. Fortunately, there are manual methods to recover Word documents. In cases where these methods prove ineffective, professional software can step in to resolve these issues comprehensively.

Some errors, like the “invalid template” error, can occur when an incompatible add-in within the Startup folder clashes with MS Word. It becomes crucial to pinpoint the specific add-in responsible for this issue and then relocate it to resolve the problem effectively.

1. 1. Before proceeding with the process, ensure that you quit all the running Microsoft Office programs on your system.
   2. 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
   3. Move all the files present in that folder to your desktop.
   4. 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.

1. Exit and restart Microsoft Word.

Another effective approach to swiftly resolve the MS Word error message, “the document template is not valid,” involves disabling specific add-ins that could be triggering the problem. This not only mitigates the issue at hand but also prevents potential complications like the “Word file won’t open” error. Furthermore, it contributes to a faster and smoother performance of the Word program.

1. Launch MS Word and click on ‘Files.’
2. Select ‘Options’ and move to ‘Add-ins’ from the left panel.
3. From the ‘Manage’ drop-down menu, select ‘Word Add-in.’
4. Click on ‘Go’ and check if any problematic add-ins appear. You can uncheck those add-ins.
5. You can move to the next categories until you find the particular invalid add-ins.

Many errors that may arise in various Microsoft programs, including the “document template is not valid” issue, can often be resolved by utilizing the MS Office Repair tool. This tool can prove to be a straightforward and effective solution to tackle a range of problems within your Microsoft Office suite.

1. Open ‘Control Panel’ on your system.
2. Directly move to the ‘Programs and Features.’
3. Search for ‘Microsoft Office,’ Select it and tap on Change.
4. Click on ‘Quick Repair’ and select ‘Repair.’ The repairing process will commence.
5. Restart your system and open the Word document.

Indeed, virus corruption in Microsoft Word documents can pose a significant threat to your data. It’s crucial to address such issues promptly to prevent them from escalating. One professional solution for repairing virus-infected MS Word files and preserving the original content’s structure and accuracy is Kernel for Word Repair. With its user-friendly interface, this software provides an effortless way to recover Word documents and safeguard your valuable data from virus-related damage.

1. Download the Kernel for Word Repair software on your computer.
2. Click on ‘Add File(s)’ to add single or multiple files according to the requirement.
3. It will be enlisted in the tool. Select ‘Repair File(s).’
4. Now, choose a location to save the repaired documents anywhere on your system. Click on ‘OK.’
5. The status of the repairing procedure will be displayed.
6. After a successful repair, it will be saved on the selected location. Click on ‘OK.’

For the final resolution to counter this error, it is always wise to reinstall Word as there might be some issues left unaddressed during the time of installation so, give your Word a fresh start but always keep a backup of all your important data. Now, let us see how to carry out the re-installation process.

1. Open the ‘Control Panel’ and move on to ‘Programs and Features.’
2. Right-click on the application and click on ‘Uninstall.’

Conclusion

We hope you are able to follow our solutions to fix the “the document template is not valid” error. From changing the location, disabling add-ins to easy Word repair and reinstall, you must choose the solutions as per your convenience. As per our recommendation for a quick fix, you must opt for Kernel for Word Repair tool and get faster and effective resolution to all such Word related errors. Get your trial today and feel the difference.