"Unable to start Office" or "Office is busy" error message

We're sorry for the delay in getting an Office application open, but if you get an error message that says something like the messages below when trying to update, repair, or uninstall Office:

Office is busy. We're sorry, <application name> can't be used right now because Office is busy. We're either updating or helping you add or remove some programs.

or

Unable to start Office. We couldn't open Office because we're updating, adding, or removing programs.

What you can do

If you get one of these errors and you can't open Office, try the following in this order:

1. Wait a few minutes and then try opening an Office app.

2. Restart your computer and then try opening the app again.

3. Use this easy fix tool to completely uninstall Office. After your uninstall is complete, reinstall Office.

   1. Click this easy fix button to uninstall Office.

      

   2. For the remaining steps showing how to save and use the easy fix, select your browser from the drop-down list below:

      Select your browser

      

      • Select your browser
      • Edge or Internet Explorer
      • Chrome
      • Firefox

      1. At the bottom of the browser window, select Open to open the O15CTRRemove.diagcab file.

         

         If the file doesn't open automatically, choose Save > Open Folder, and then double-click the file (it should start with "O15CTRRemove") to run the easy fix tool.

      2. The Uninstall Microsoft Office wizard launches. Select Next and follow the prompts.

      3. When you see the Uninstallation successful screen, follow the prompt to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Select Next.

      4. Restart your computer and then try installing Office again.

      1. In the lower-lower left corner select the o15CTRRemove file and from the drop down, select Show in folder.

         

         Double-click the download, o15CTRRemove to run the easy fix tool.

      2. The Uninstall Microsoft Office wizard launches. Select Next and follow the prompts.

      3. When you see the Uninstallation successful screen, follow the prompt to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Select Next.

      4. Restart your computer and then try installing Office again.

      1. Select Save File, and then OK.

         

         In the upper-right browser window, select Show all downloads. In the Library, select Downloads > O15CTRRemove.diagcab, and then select the folder icon. Double-click the O15CTRRemove.diagcab.

      2. The Uninstall Microsoft Office wizard launches. Select Next and follow the prompts.

      3. When you see the Uninstallation successful screen, follow the prompt to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Select Next.

      4. Restart your computer and then try installing Office again.

   Install Office

   To reinstall Office 365 or Office 2016, follow the steps in Download and install or reinstall Office on your PC or Mac.

   To reinstall Office 2013, see Download and install or reinstall Office 2013 on a PC.