Word File Is Locked And Cannot Be Printed, What Should You Do?

For students, students or office workers. Surely you will no longer be unfamiliar with word files. Normally, printing word files is extremely simple and quick. But there are also many problems that hinder this process. Among them, Word File being locked and unable to print is a situation many of you encounter. This is why TipsMake has found out and helped you fix this frustrating problem right away!

Word files are locked and cannot be printed and the solution is super simple

The Word file is locked from printing and cannot be edited if you do not know the password. You can contact the sender to get the password to access the word file. But in some cases, you need to print urgently but cannot be contacted, or have forgotten your password? At this time, unlocking Word files is the way you need to learn and apply. If the word file cannot be printed because it is locked, immediately apply the following measures:

1/ Open a locked word file when you know the password

If you know the password but don't know how to unlock this word file, the steps to unlock are as follows. (Note, I did it on Word 2016, you can apply it to Word 2010, 2013, 2019)

1. Step 1: You need to open the locked word document > Click File (located in the upper left corner).
2. Step 2: Select the arrow in the Protect Document box in the Info tab.

1. Step 3: Select the Encrypt with Password line in the drop-down menu > Enter password to unlock.

2/ Fix locked Word files that cannot be opened

In case you forget your password or receive a word file from someone who doesn't know the password. Below is how to open locked Word files with WordPad.

1. Step 1: Click This PC or click the File icon under the taskbar.
2. Step 2: At the word file you need to unlock it > Right click and select Open with > Continue selecting Choose another app.

1. Step 3: Select WordPad > Click OK or double-click the WordPad option. (If you don't see WordPad, tap the arrow to show all options.)

1. Step 4: Once opened in WordPad, you can freely edit the word content. Or press Ctrl + A > Right click > Select Copy and paste all this content into a new word file so it won't be locked and can be printed.

3/ How to unlock Word files without password using Notepad

1. Step 1: Please open the locked word file that cannot be printed > Click File.
2. Step 2: Select Save As > Select the location to save the file you want > In the Save as type box > Choose to save as Word XML Document (.xml) > Then click Save.

1. Step 3: Open the folder where you just saved the file > Right-click and select Open with > Continue selecting Notepad.

1. Step 4: After opening with Notepad > Press Ctrl + H Or click Edit > Replace.
2. Step 5: In the Find what line > enter the string w:enforcement='1″. For the Replace with line, enter the string w:enforcement='0″. When finished entering, click Replace all to replace everything.
3. Note, if you cannot find it, enter w:enforcement='on' and in the Replace with section, enter w:enforcement='off' and then click Replace all as above.

1. Step 6: After step 5, click File > Select Save to save.
2. Step 7: Go back to the word software and open the file with the .xml extension.
3. B8: Continue to select File > Select Save As > Choose a save location > Save as .doc or .docx > So this file has been unlocked and you just need to open the file to edit and print.

4/ Unlock Word Online files

You can also unlock word files online as follows:

1. Visit https://www.lostmypass.com/file-types/ms-word/ > Tick I'm not a robot (if applicable) > Click Drop file to upload.
2. Click on the locked word file > Continue selecting Open > Wait a few minutes and the screen will display the password. Please use this password to unlock the word file!

Above are the ways when Word File is locked and cannot be printed. Wishing you guys success in overcoming it!

Lesley Montoya

Update 15 March 2024