Hyperlinks in Word can stop opening, stay as plain text, point to the wrong place, or get blocked by a document security setting. Start with the quick Word settings first, then move through default apps, Protected View, add-ins, and Office repair.
Use Ctrl Click First
This applies when the hyperlink looks normal but a regular click only places your cursor in the document. In Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016 for Windows, Word can require Ctrl plus a click to open a hyperlink.
Hold Ctrl, then click the hyperlink once.
If the link opens, go to File, choose Options, then open Advanced.
Under Editing Options, clear Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink.
Turn Automatic Hyperlinks Back On
The most common cause when typed web addresses stay as plain text is that Word's automatic hyperlink formatting is turned off.
Open File, choose Options, then select Proofing.
Choose AutoCorrect Options, open AutoFormat As You Type, and select Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
Type or paste the web address again. Word will create a clickable hyperlink instead of leaving it as regular text.
Recreate the Link From the Ribbon
Select the text or picture that should open the link.
Open the Insert tab.
Choose Link, then select Insert Link.
Choose Existing File or Web Page.
Enter or paste the destination in Address.
Edit Text to display if the visible link text needs different wording.
Choose OK to save the hyperlink.
For the faster route, select the text and press Ctrl+K to open the same hyperlink dialog.
Repair a Broken Hyperlink Target
Use this when the link is clickable, but it opens the wrong page, points to an old file, starts an email link incorrectly, or fails because an internal heading or bookmark moved. Edit the hyperlink target instead of retyping the whole paragraph.
Right-click the hyperlink and choose Edit Hyperlink.
Correct the address, file path, email address, heading, or bookmark target, then choose OK.
For links inside the same document, go to File, choose Options, open Advanced, and under Show document content, select Show bookmarks.
If a bookmark field is broken, confirm that the bookmark exists and that the field name is correct.
Right-click the field and choose Update Field.
Fix Links in Word for Mac
On a Mac, use Word's Mac link tools first, then check the macOS apps that open web and email links.
- 1.Select the text or object, then go to Insert, choose Link, and select Web Page or File, This Document, or Email Address.
- 2.Enter or select the destination, then choose OK.
- 3.To turn automatic web links back on, open the Word menu, choose Preferences, select AutoCorrect, open AutoFormat as You Type, and select Internet and network paths with hyperlinks.
- 4.For web links, open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, select Desktop & Dock, and choose a browser from Default web browser.
- 5.For email links, open Mail, choose Settings or Preferences, select General, and choose an app from Default email reader.
Change the Browser Word Uses
This fixes correct links that open the wrong app, open the wrong browser, or fail because Windows has no working default web handler.
Open the Windows Settings app.
Go to Apps.
Choose Default apps.
Search for a web protocol or choose your browser under Set defaults for applications.
Select the file or link types that should open in that browser.
For Microsoft Edge, open Apps, choose Default apps, select Microsoft Edge, then choose Set default next to Make Microsoft Edge your default browser.
Leave Protected View Only for Files You Trust
This applies when Word opens the document with a yellow or red message bar and limits editing or document behavior. Leave Protected View in place unless you trust both the file source and the file content.
If a yellow message bar appears on a trusted file, select Enable Editing.
If a red message bar appears on a trusted file, go to File and choose Edit Anyway.
To review Protected View settings, go to File, choose Options, select Trust Center, then open Trust Center Settings and Protected View.
Use Trusted Locations only for folders you fully trust. Documents in those folders bypass Protected View and related checks.
Test Add Ins and Repair Office
Press Windows logo key+R.
Type winword /safe.
Choose OK.
Open the document and test the hyperlink again in Word Safe Mode.
Exit Word and reopen it normally to leave Safe Mode.
If links work in Safe Mode, open File and choose Get Add-ins.
You can also go to Home, choose Add-ins, select More Add-ins, then open My Add-ins.
Right-click the add-in and choose Remove.
For a deeper Office fix on Windows 11, right-click Start and choose Installed apps.
Select your Microsoft 365 or Office product, choose the ellipses, then select Modify.
On a Click-to-Run install, choose Online Repair, then select Repair.
Use Quick Repair when you want the faster local repair first.
On an MSI-based install you get the Change your installation window instead. Choose Repair, then select Continue.
If repair does not help, open Word and create a new document.
Go to File, choose Account, open Update Options, and select Update Now.
If Update Options is missing and you only see About, you have a volume license install or your company manages updates through Group Policy. Use Microsoft Update or ask your help desk instead.
On Mac, if you installed Office from microsoft.com, open Help, choose Check for Updates, and select Automatically keep Microsoft apps up to date.
If you installed from the Mac App Store, Check for Updates will not be there. Open the App Store, choose Updates, and select Update next to each Microsoft app.
Run Safe Mode first, because it quickly narrows the problem. Microsoft describes Safe Mode as a way to help identify an add-in or extension that is causing trouble at startup, and it also skips templates, toolbar customizations, and other features that normally load. Links that work in Safe Mode point to an add-in, but they do not rule out a damaged Office installation, so keep the repair steps below in reserve.
Check Managed Device Restrictions
Use this path on a work or school device when Trust Center options are locked, business links are rewritten, or company links behave differently from personal links.
- 1.Ask your administrator to review Office Protected View or Trust Center policy if Word will not let you change the setting.
- 2.Ask them to review Microsoft 365 Cloud Policy settings assigned to your account.
- 3.Ask them to review Safe Links policies if business links are rewritten, scanned, or blocked.
- 4.Skip old Internet Explorer reset fixes from older tutorials; current Windows troubleshooting uses Settings, Apps, and Default apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to hold Ctrl to open links in Word?
Word has a setting called Use CTRL + Click to follow hyperlink. When it is enabled, a normal click places the cursor in the document, and Ctrl-click opens the link.
Why does Word not turn a web address into a link automatically?
Automatic hyperlink creation is turned off. Turn on Internet and network paths with hyperlinks under AutoCorrect Options, then type or paste the address again.
What should I do if only one hyperlink is broken?
Right-click that hyperlink, choose Edit Hyperlink, and correct its address, file path, email address, heading, or bookmark target.
Should I turn off Office suspicious-link warnings?
Leave Office suspicious-link warnings on. Microsoft does not recommend disabling that check. In versions of Office newer than 2013 the option to modify it is not available at all, so there is nothing to turn off; only Office 2013 and 2010 expose the checkbox under Trust Center Settings and Privacy Options.