How To Fix “Unable to start office, error code 147-0”?

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Unable To Start Office Error Code 147-0

For those of you facing the following error code 147-0 in Microsoft Office to which you are in need of a solution ASAP. The following guide is just for you. 

From why the ‘Unable to start office error code 147-0’ occurs, to the different ways out there to fix the error, we will be covering it all in our discussion here today. 

Now, talking about why the following office error 147-0 might occur in the first place. It is usually due to a corrupt system file, or a faulty installation due to Firewall restrictions. 

Apart from these common causes, there might be some other less common causes too, like an outdated Office version or Operating System that might lead to the following error to occur due to compatibility issues.

But no matter what the cause of the error may be. The solutions to fixing them should work the same for all, no matter what the cause may be. 

Below, I have listed in front of you all such troubleshooting solutions with the help of which you should be able to fix the issue on your own and in no time.


How To Fix “Unable To Start Office, Error Code 147-0?


Fix 1: Turn on Microsoft Updates

In most cases it has been reported that an outdated Office Suite app is actually what causes the error. 

And if that is the case for you, then turning on automatic Microsoft Updates should help you update your Suite app as well as solve the error message.

Now, to turn on the Microsoft Updates on your respective Windows system. You can follow the steps as shown below:

  • Firstly, go to your Windows Settings page by clicking on the Gear icon.
  • Then, head to the Update & Security option as shown below.
Unable to start office, error code 147-0
  • Next, on the right hand pane, head down and click on the Advanced options.
Unable to start office, error code 147-0
  • Under the Advanced options page, toggle on the receive updates for other Microsoft products option. Doing this will automatically update your Office app and should help solve the issue once the app gets updated. 
Unable to start office, error code 147-0

Fix 2: Repair Microsoft Office App

Repairing your Microsoft Office app is also another very convenient way with the help of which you should be able to solve the issue, if it is caused by a recent bug or glitch inside the app. 

To repair Microsoft Office App, you can follow the steps as shown below:

  • Just like what you had done in the case earlier, go to your Windows Settings page and click on the Apps option.
Unable to start office, error code 147-0
  • Then, under the Apps & features option, go to the Microsoft Office app and click on the Advanced options.
error code 147-0
  • Next, you can click on the Repair button under Reset option and let the repair take place.
Unable to start office,
  • If repairing the app does not work for you, then you can also try resetting the app by clicking on the Reset button.

Fix 3: Update your OS

Many users facing the same issue have reported that updating their system OS, proved to have helped them solve the issue. 

Hence, you can also try updating your respective Windows OS, to see if doing so helps solve the issue. 

To update your Windows OS, you can follow the steps as mentioned below:

  • Go to your Desktop search bar and type in update.
  • Then, from the results click and open the Check for updates option.
  • Once the Settings page opens up, to the right pane it should display the Windows Update page. 
  • Under the Windows Update page, click on the Check for updates option. And if any updates are available, then click on the Download and install option under it. 
  • After the update has been successfully taken place, restart your system and see if the error still persists, when trying to launch the suite app which gave the error message.

Fix 4: Delete Office Registry subkeys

Deleting your Office Registry subkeys can also help at times. 

In order to delete your Office Registry subkeys, you can follow the steps as shown below:

  • Firstly, go to your Desktop search bar and type in Registry Editor.
  • Then, from the results click and open the Registry Editor app. 
  • Next, navigate through the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWRE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun and delete the registry key as shown in the image below.
error code 147-0
  • Similarly, you will need to navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\AppVISV and HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office. And then, delete the subkeys from each one of them.
  • Once deleted, restart your system and see if launching the Office app still gives the following 147-0 Office Error message.

Fix 5: Uninstall and Reinstall the Office App

You can also try uninstalling the Office App completely and reinstall it back. To do this you will need to remove the app by going to the Control Panel app, and uninstall the app by clicking on the Uninstall an app option in your Control Panel app.


Fix 6: Download office suite online and install it offline 

If reinstalling the Microsoft Office Suite app in online mode does not resolve the issue.

You can also try downloading the suite online, and then install it while being offline. Doing this will prevent any unnecessary disturbance which may have occurred if you would have installed it in online mode. 


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Rishikesh Hazarika is a tech enthusiast who is always curious to learn and absorb facts and data in the world of science and technology as well as tries to share his opinion. He has an M.Tech degree from North-Eastern Hill University, later he did a certificate course in Computer Hardware and Software, and a certificate course in Introduction to Architectingc