Recreate Corrupted Word Template File
Scenario
You encounter unusual behavior (especially layout or spelling issues) when using Microsoft Word, such as weird characters appearing in text, some typing functions not working properly, unexpected error messages, random freezes especially when typing, etc. You've already tried several troubleshooting steps, like disabling add-ins, repairing Office, updating device drivers, to no avail. In such cases, recreating the template file for Word, which is "Normal.dotm", can solve the problem if it was somehow got corrupted.
Solution/Workaround
Please be aware of the fact that any changes that you've made to the fonts, margins, spacing, and other settings in Word will be lost after this. However, it's quite easy to revert to the previous state as long as you don't delete the corresponding template file.
- Close Word.
- Open Run dialog box (Press "Windows Key + R") and then copy-paste the following text in there, click OK:
%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates - Right click on file Normal.dotm and rename it to something like Normal.old. You can also move it to some folder/path else.
- Start Word.
Conclusion
Renaming the template file will cause Word to get it recreated. If you encounter any unexpected issues afterwards, you can always replace the newly created file with the original one either by renaming or moving it back to its original path depending on the action you've taken.