Solved - Cannot Save Word Document Due to A File Permission Error

Updated on November 17, 2022


If you missed saving a file in Microsoft Word due to "Word cannot complete the save due to a file permission error" do not lose your hope yet. This post has some great tips that can come handy in fixing the issues with the Word file. You should be able to get back the Word file with the free solutions provided in the post. Also, find steps to use the Remo Word Repair tool and link for free download.




When you are trying to save a file in Microsoft Word, sometimes, you may encounter an error message saying "Word Cannot complete the save due to a file permission error", especially when the file is from an external source. The Word cannot complete the save due to a file permission error can occur due to several reasons. In the below section, we will briefly know the reasons behind this error message.

Reasons Behind Word File Permission Error

  • The anti-virus software installed on your computer prevents the file saving process
  • The file name is conflicting with the already existed file on your computer
  • The file that you want to modify or save is from the network shared folder
  • The file ou want to save is previously saved as the 'read-only' or as the template
  • You don't have full authority to save the file to a location for the current user account

If you face file permission error when saving Word document, then don’t quit the Word application directly. Instead, try the below given solution to save the file in MS Word.

How to Fix Cannot Save Word Document Due to File Permission Error?

Method 1: Save the file in Different File Name Format

It's possible that the file name you're trying to use is already in use. Or it could be unsupported because some of the characters are invalid. To fix a naming issue like this, simply save the file with a different name.
Attempting to save in an improper or unsupported format can also result in a file permission problem for example saving Word document as Word 97-2003 Document, PDF, or another equivalent format.

Method 2: Disable the AntiVirus(AV) Software

False alarms from third-party antivirus software have been known to cause several small application failures. Although Windows Defender interferes less frequently, it still happens. Try temporarily turning them off and seeing whether you can save the document now. Follow the below steps to disable antivirus software.

  • In the search bar type Virus and Threat Protection and hit Enter.
  • Now select the Manage Settings option.
  • By Confirming Yes, click on the slider to turn off Real-time Protection.
  • Click the slider to turn off Real-time protection and click yes to confirm.

Note: Disabling antivirus can make your computer vulnerable to malware. Make sure you enable it again once you have confirmed if AV is resulting in file permission errors.

Method 3: Open the File in Safe Mode

Double-click your file while holding down the CTRL key and accept the prompt to open it in Safe Mode. This strategy also works with other MS Office apps.
To open Word in a different way, use Windows + R to open Run and type the command: winword /safe

Method 4: Fix the Word file by Open and Repair

  • Open and Repair is a useful feature for repairing corrupt files. To use it,
  • Open the Word files and click on the File tab.
  • Now click on the Open and switch.
  • Click on Browse and select your file but don’t open it yet.
  • Press the drop down arrow next to Open and select Open and Repair.

If inbuilt repair technique fails to fix your Word file, then try Remo Repair Word for fixing your corrupted .docx and .doc files.

Method 5: Check for Windows Update

If the above methods don't work then you can check if your Windows is up to date updated. Windows update as we all know helps in fixing any security bugs, follow the steps below to check for the security update.

  • Click on the Settings feature in the google search and click on the Check for Updates.
  • Now select the respective update for Windows and Microsoft Office.
  • Once the Update is completed you can restart your computer and see if your Word is working fine.

Method 6: Fix Word Cannot Save Due to a File Permission Error using Remo Repair Word

The effective way to fix Word cannot save due to file permission error is by making use of the Remo Repair Word tool. It can easily repair Microsoft Word documents not opening, corrupted, inaccessible, etc. The tool is built with a deep scan engine which makes the recovery process simple. Download the tool now.


Steps To Repair Microsoft Word File Facing Save Permission Error Using Remo Repair Word

Step 1: Install Remo Repair Word tool on your Windows computer.

Step 2: From the main screen click on Browse key and select the affected Word file.

remo repair word

Step 3: Click on the Repair button to initiate the repair process.

Step 4: Once the repair process is completed, preview the fixed Word file via Preview File option.

Step 5: Finally, browse the new location and hit the Save button to get back your repaired Word file to the desired location.

remo repair word