Unable to save Word documents

I am using Windows 8.1 and Word in Microsoft office 365. I am unable to save any word documents, I'm sent in a loop to the Save As box. When I exit without saving I get an error message that a file error has occurred ...Normal.dotm. Then another error box, Changes have occurred that affect the global template Normal.dotm.  I've tried the  Microsoft Tech support, they spent many hours remotely connected to my laptop but failed to fix the problem. Can anyone help?
 

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Last updated November 20, 2019 Views 3,455 Applies to:
Please post the exact wording of the error messages you see. 
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If you start Word in Safe Mode by holding down the CTRL key while starting Word until asked to confirm that you want to start in Safe Mode, are you then able to save a document?

If so, it could be that you have a Send to Bluetooth Add-in that is know to cause issues with saving documents.  If that is the case, you can disable it via File>Options>Add-ins>Manage COM Add-ins.

Hope this helps,
Doug Robbins - MVP Office Apps & Services (Word)
dougrobbinsmvp@gmail.com
Screen shots by Snagit from www.techsmith.com

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A file error has occurred

(C:\Users|...|filename.docx)

after trying to save, then I try to close document without saving and get the error message

A file error has occurred

(C: Use\Mary|App Data\...\Normal dotm)

clicking on ok in the error message takes me back to the Save As box with file name Normal.dotm automatically inserted.

I cancel that, try to close word and get the  error message

Changes have been made that affect the global template Normal.dotm. Do you want to save those changes.

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If you start Word in Safe Mode by holding down the CTRL key while starting Word until asked to confirm that you want to start in Safe Mode, are you then able to save a document?

If so, it could be that you have a Send to Bluetooth Add-in that is know to cause issues with saving documents.  If that is the case, you can disable it via File>Options>Add-ins>Manage COM Add-ins.

I tried this unfortunately the problem still occurred in Safe Mode

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With Word not running, rename the Normal.dotm template to OldNormal.dotm and then restart Word and see if the problem still occurs.
Hope this helps,
Doug Robbins - MVP Office Apps & Services (Word)
dougrobbinsmvp@gmail.com
Screen shots by Snagit from www.techsmith.com

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Ran a search, no file Normal.dotm was found. Thank you for trying to help.

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Open the folder at C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates where you should find the Normal template. Of course, you should replace "UserName" with your actual Windows user name.
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP
Volunteer Moderator
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Note that MVPs do not work for Microsoft
MVP program information: https://mvp.microsoft.com/
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