To disable add-ins in Word, go to File > Options > Add-ins, choose COM Add-ins in the Manage box, click Go, untick the add-in and click OK. For newer web-based Office add-ins, open Home > Add-ins (or Insert > Get Add-ins), go to My Add-ins and remove it. If Word crashes before you can do this, start it in Safe Mode, which loads no add-ins.
Quick Answer
File > Options > Add-ins > Manage: COM Add-ins > Go > untick > OK. Restart Word.
Steps to Disable COM Add-ins
- Open Word and click File > Options.
- Select Add-ins.
- At the bottom, set Manage to COM Add-ins and click Go.
- Clear the checkbox next to the add-in and click OK.
- Close and reopen Word.
Types of Add-ins
| Type | Where to manage |
|---|---|
| COM add-ins | File > Options > Add-ins > COM Add-ins |
| Office (web) add-ins | Home > Add-ins > My Add-ins |
| Templates and global add-ins | Manage: Word Add-ins |
| Disabled items | Manage: Disabled Items (to re-enable) |
Find the Add-in That Causes Problems
If Word is slow, crashes or shows odd toolbars and you do not know which add-in is to blame, test them in turn:
- Open Word in Safe Mode by holding Ctrl while you start it. If the problem disappears, an add-in or template is the likely cause.
- Restart Word normally and go to File, Options, Add-ins, COM Add-ins, Go.
- Untick every add-in and click OK, then restart Word.
- Turn the add-ins back on one at a time, restarting Word after each, until the problem returns.
- Leave the culprit disabled, then update or reinstall it from its publisher, or remove it.
Re-enable an Add-in Word Turned Off
When an add-in crashes Word, Office can disable it automatically. To bring it back, open File, Options, Add-ins, set Manage to Disabled Items and click Go. Select the add-in, click Enable and restart Word. If it keeps crashing, check the publisher’s site for an updated version before turning it on again.
Add-ins on Work or School PCs
Some add-ins are installed by your organisation through Microsoft 365, and their checkboxes may be greyed out or the add-in may reappear after removal. Contact your IT team if a managed add-in is causing problems rather than trying to force it off.
Troubleshooting
- Word crashes on start: Hold Ctrl while opening Word, or see opening Word in Safe Mode, then disable add-ins one by one.
- Add-in comes back: Some are installed by other apps. Uninstall or update that app in Settings > Apps.
- Checkbox greyed out: The add-in may be managed by your organisation; ask IT.
- Related: See adding fonts in Word if a font add-in misbehaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling an add-in delete it?
No. It just stops it loading. Tick it again to re-enable.
Why is Word slow to open?
Add-ins are a common cause. Disable them all, then turn them back on one at a time to find the culprit.
Does this apply to Excel and PowerPoint?
Yes. The same Add-ins page exists in each Office app.
Summary
- File > Options > Add-ins.
- Manage COM Add-ins > Go.
- Untick and click OK.
- Use Safe Mode if Word won’t start.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.