Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: System Error &H80000FFFF (-2147418113) when using macros in Word 2016

Error H80000FFFF (-2147418113) occurs when using macros in Word 2016, despite uninstalling and reinstalling.

Quick Answer: Try disabling macros or updating Word's macro settings.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🛑 Root Causes of the Error
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The error 'System Error &H80000FFFF (-2147418113)' in Word 2016, also known as the Catastrophic Error, occurs when the macro fails to execute or is blocked by the system. This issue affects users of Microsoft Office 2016 who rely on macros for automation and efficiency.

This error can be frustrating, especially if you have spent time creating and testing your macros. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary cause of this error is a corrupted or damaged VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) project. This can happen due to various reasons such as an incomplete uninstallation process, software conflicts, or a virus infection. When the VBA project becomes corrupted, it prevents Word from executing macros correctly.
  • Another possible reason for this error is a misconfigured or incompatible add-in. Some add-ins may interfere with the macro execution, causing the Catastrophic Error.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Method to repair and fix the issue

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Repair Word 2016 using the built-in 'Update' feature. To do this, go to File > Account > Update Options, then select 'Update Now'. This will restart Word and attempt to repair any damaged files.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Run a thorough virus scan using an antivirus software to ensure that no malware is interfering with your system or Word installation.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Check for any incompatible add-ins installed in Word. Remove any recently added add-ins, and then re-enable them one by one until the issue resolves.

Alternative method to fix the issue

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Reinstall VBA Editor (also known as Visual Basic Editor) separately from Word. To do this, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, select 'Change or remove a program', and uninstall VBA Editor. Then, download and reinstall the latest version of VBA Editor.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Create a new normal.dotm file by going to File > New > Normal Template. Save it with a different name, then replace the original normal.dotm file with the new one using the 'Copy' and 'Paste Special' features in Word.

💡 Conclusion

To summarize, the Catastrophic Error in Word 2016 can be resolved by following these steps: repair or reinstall Word, run a virus scan, check for incompatible add-ins, or try alternative methods such as reinstalling VBA Editor and creating a new normal template. If you are still experiencing issues, consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional IT technician.

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