If Word, Excel, Outlook, or another desktop Office app shows “Something went wrong” with error code 0x426-0x0, work through these fixes in order: restart Windows, restart the Microsoft Office Click-to-Run Service, run Quick Repair, run Online Repair, and only then uninstall and reinstall Office. The code indicates a local Office startup or installation problem, but it does not prove one specific cause.
- Restart Windows and try the app again.
- Check the Click-to-Run service in
services.msc. - Use Office’s Modify > Quick Repair option.
- Escalate to Online Repair.
- Use Microsoft’s uninstall and reinstall process if repair fails.
This Windows 10 and Windows 11 workflow applies to Microsoft 365 and many perpetual editions, including Office 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2024.
What error 0x426-0x0 means
Microsoft presents 0x426-0x0 as a generic “Something went wrong” startup failure for Microsoft 365 and Office applications. It can stop several desktop apps at once and is usually related to the local Office service, files, update state, or installation registration—not proof that a Word or Excel document is corrupt.
Microsoft does not publish a decoder stating that every instance means the Click-to-Run service is disabled. A stopped or malfunctioning service is a strong possibility, but damaged installation data, a failed update, security software, cleanup utilities, network controls, or mixed Office installations can produce the same symptom. See Microsoft’s current troubleshooting guidance at Microsoft Support and the related Microsoft Community discussion at Microsoft Q&A.
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OneDrive and Office for the web may continue working because they do not rely on the same desktop installation. The documented repair path is primarily for Windows 10 and Windows 11; labels vary with Windows build and whether Office is Click-to-Run, MSI-based, or a Store-related wrapper.
Restart Windows first
- Save work in other applications.
- Restart the computer from Windows.
- Wait for Windows to finish loading, then sign in again.
- Open Word, Excel, or Outlook and test the result.
Restarting clears pending update and service states and is Microsoft’s least-disruptive first step.
Start or restart the Click-to-Run service
The Click-to-Run check targets a common cause without changing Office files. Treat it as a diagnostic fix, not a guaranteed explanation of the code.
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
services.mscand press Enter. - Find Microsoft Office Click-to-Run Service.
- If its status is stopped, right-click it and choose Start. If it is running, choose Restart.
- Open Properties. If Startup type is Disabled, change it to Automatic (or the existing non-disabled setting), apply the change, and restart Windows.
- Test more than one Office app.
If the service is missing or will not start
- Record the exact Windows error shown when starting it.
- Check whether you have administrator rights and whether Windows is waiting for a restart.
- Consider whether antivirus, endpoint management, or a cleanup utility disabled Office components.
- Look for an incomplete older Office installation or update.
- Do not create the service manually, delete Click-to-Run registry keys, download replacement DLLs, or use an unofficial “Office fixer.” Move to Office repair or an official reinstall instead.
Repair Office without uninstalling it
Microsoft’s Office-specific repair workflow is Modify > Quick Repair or Online Repair. A generic Windows Settings Repair or Reset button for a Store-style wrapper is not necessarily equivalent. Microsoft documents both routes at Repair an Office application.
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Quick Repair on Windows 11
- Right-click Start and select Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft 365 or your installed Office product.
- Select its three-dot menu, then choose Modify.
- Select Quick Repair, choose Repair, and let it finish.
- Restart Windows if prompted, then test the apps.
Quick Repair on Windows 10
- Right-click Start and choose Apps and Features.
- Select Microsoft 365 or Office and choose Modify.
- Select Quick Repair, then Repair.
Quick Repair is the faster, less disruptive option. Microsoft describes it as detecting and replacing corrupted files and it can repair the suite even when only one app appears broken.
Online Repair
Use Online Repair when Quick Repair fails or several apps still fail.
- Press Windows key + R, enter
control.exe, and press Enter. - Open Programs > Programs and Features.
- Select Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office and click Change or Modify.
- Choose Online Repair, then Repair.
- Allow the process to complete, restart Windows, and test Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Online Repair is more comprehensive, normally needs an internet connection, takes longer, and repairs the full suite rather than a single executable. It is not a guaranteed cure.
Choose the next step
| Option | Use it when | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Restart | First occurrence or after an update | Fast and harmless, but does not repair persistent damage |
| Restart Click-to-Run | Service is stopped, disabled, or hung | Targets the service without replacing Office files |
| Quick Repair | Files may be mildly damaged | Faster, but may not replace every damaged component |
| Online Repair | Quick Repair failed or several apps fail | Deeper and slower; internet access is normally required |
| Uninstall/reinstall | Repair fails or the installation is incomplete | Requires license details and more setup time |
| Offline installer | Proxy, firewall, antivirus, or unstable internet disrupts setup | Needs disk space and the correct edition/account |
| IT or Microsoft Support | Managed device, licensing issue, or repeated failure | Requires administrator or support involvement |
Uninstall and reinstall Office
Use a clean reinstall after Quick Repair and Online Repair fail, when several apps fail together, or when repair itself reports an error.
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Prepare before removal
- Confirm the Microsoft account, work account, or product key that activates Office.
- Back up locally stored documents and any important Outlook data.
- Note the Office edition you need to reinstall.
- Check whether the computer is controlled by an employer or school.
- Make sure you can install software with administrator privileges.
Uninstalling normally removes the applications, not ordinary documents, but do not assume that Outlook profiles, local data files, templates, macros, add-ins, or custom settings will be preserved.
Remove and reinstall
- Open Microsoft’s official uninstall and reinstall guidance and run the Microsoft uninstall troubleshooter when it supports your edition.
- Restart Windows after removal.
- Reinstall from the Microsoft account or product page associated with the license.
- Sign in and activate Office.
- Install available Office updates.
- Test several apps, not only the one that originally failed.
Microsoft currently notes that its uninstall troubleshooter cannot uninstall Office 2024. For that edition, follow the removal method Microsoft provides for the installed deployment or contact support.
Use the offline installer when setup fails
If the normal installer repeatedly stops or rolls back, Microsoft says the Microsoft 365 offline installer may bypass problems caused by proxy servers, firewalls, antivirus software, or unstable internet connectivity. Use only Microsoft’s official account or support pages; do not download Office from a third-party mirror.
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All Office apps fail
Failure across Word, Excel, Outlook, and other apps is stronger evidence of a suite-level service or installation problem. Prioritize Online Repair and a clean reinstall over app-specific troubleshooting.
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Only Outlook fails
If Word and Excel open normally, investigate Outlook profiles, add-ins, account configuration, or data files separately. Office repair does not guarantee a fix for those Outlook-specific components.
The service starts and immediately stops
Capture the exact service error and move to Online Repair or reinstall. Also check endpoint security, cleanup software, pending Windows restarts, and organization policies.
Repair is unavailable
Use Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office > Change. Menu names vary by installation type.
Work or school computer
You may not have permission to change services, uninstall Office, install an offline package, or bypass endpoint security. Contact your IT administrator rather than disabling organizational controls.
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Get help when local repair is not enough
Contact your organization’s IT team or Microsoft Support when the device is managed, activation is unclear, the Click-to-Run service is absent, or repair and reinstall repeatedly fail. Provide the exact 0x426-0x0 message, Windows version, Office edition, service error text, and which apps fail.
Official licensing options
Do not buy a new license merely because repair failed. Verify the account or product key first. If you genuinely need a license, use Microsoft’s official pages: Microsoft 365 plans or Office 2024. Prices, editions, taxes, promotions, and included apps vary by region and can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does error 0x426-0x0 delete my Word or Excel files?
The startup error does not by itself indicate document corruption or deletion. Back up local files before repair or uninstall, and treat Outlook data, templates, macros, add-ins, and custom settings separately.
Can I fix this without administrator access?
You may be able to restart Windows and inspect some settings, but changing the Click-to-Run service, repairing, uninstalling, or reinstalling Office commonly requires administrator permission. On a managed computer, contact IT.
Does this affect Office 2024?
The startup symptom can occur with Office 2024, but Microsoft says its current uninstall troubleshooter cannot currently remove Office 2024. Follow Microsoft’s edition-specific removal instructions instead.
Why does OneDrive work when Word does not?
OneDrive and Office for the web do not depend on the same local desktop Office installation, so they can remain available while desktop apps fail.
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