When you try to open Word or run an Office update, you might see error 1706 with a message that says “Setup cannot find the required files.” This error occurs because the Windows Installer cannot locate the original Office installation source files, often due to a moved, renamed, or deleted installation cache. This article explains why error 1706 happens and provides step-by-step instructions to repair your Office installation so Word works normally again.
Key Takeaways: Fixing Word Error 1706 by Repairing Office
- Windows Installer cache corruption or missing .msi files: The root cause of error 1706 is that Windows Installer cannot find the Office installation source files it needs to complete a setup or update operation.
- Control Panel > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office > Change > Quick Repair: The fastest fix that re-registers installed files and fixes registry issues without requiring the original installation media.
- Control Panel > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office > Change > Online Repair: A deeper repair that downloads fresh installation files from Microsoft servers, resolving cache-related errors like 1706.
Why Word Displays Error 1706 During Setup or Update
Error 1706 is a Windows Installer error, not a Word-specific bug. It appears when the Windows Installer service tries to modify, update, or repair the Office installation but cannot locate the required .msi (Microsoft Installer) package or source files. These source files are normally stored in a local cache folder such as C:\MSOCache or in the original installation media (DVD, ISO, or network share).
Common triggers include:
- You deleted the MSOCache folder to free up disk space.
- You moved the Office installation media to a different drive or folder.
- You are running an Office update that requires the original source files.
- A previous Office repair or uninstall left the installer database in an inconsistent state.
Because the installer cannot find the files, it aborts the operation and returns error 1706. The fix involves either restoring the cached files or performing a repair that downloads fresh source files from Microsoft.
Steps to Repair Office Installation and Resolve Error 1706
The following methods repair the Office installation without requiring the original setup media. Start with Method 1, which is the fastest, and proceed to Method 2 if the error persists.
Method 1: Quick Repair via Control Panel
- Open Programs and Features
Press Windows key + R, typeappwiz.cpl, and press Enter. The Programs and Features window opens. - Locate Microsoft Office
Scroll the list of installed programs until you find Microsoft Office 365 or Microsoft Office [year], such as Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019. - Select Change
Right-click the Office entry and choose Change. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes. - Choose Quick Repair
In the Office setup wizard, select the Quick Repair radio button. Click Repair. The process re-registers Office files and fixes registry entries without downloading new files. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. - Restart and test Word
After the repair completes, restart your computer. Open Word and attempt the operation that previously triggered error 1706, such as running an update or installing an add-in.
Method 2: Online Repair via Control Panel
If Quick Repair does not resolve the error, use Online Repair. This method downloads a fresh copy of the Office installation files from Microsoft servers, replacing any missing or corrupted source files in the cache.
- Open Programs and Features
Press Windows key + R, typeappwiz.cpl, and press Enter. - Select Microsoft Office and click Change
Right-click the Office entry and choose Change. - Choose Online Repair
Select the Online Repair radio button. Click Repair. A warning message appears stating that the repair may take a while and requires an internet connection. Click Repair to proceed. - Wait for the download and repair to finish
The Office setup wizard downloads the installation files and then repairs the installation. This can take 30 minutes or longer depending on your internet speed. Do not close the window or turn off your computer during this step. - Restart and verify
When the repair finishes, restart your computer. Open Word and confirm that error 1706 no longer appears when you perform the action that previously failed.
Method 3: Delete the MSOCache Folder (Advanced)
If the cache folder itself is corrupted, deleting it forces the Online Repair to download completely new files. Use this method only if Methods 1 and 2 fail.
- Show hidden items in File Explorer
Open File Explorer, click the View tab, and check the Hidden items checkbox. - Navigate to the MSOCache folder
Open your system drive (usually C:). Look for a folder named MSOCache. If you do not see it, it may have been deleted already. - Delete the MSOCache folder
Right-click the MSOCache folder and choose Delete. Confirm any prompts. - Run Online Repair
Follow the steps in Method 2 to perform an Online Repair. Because the cache folder is gone, Office downloads a fresh set of source files.
If Word Still Shows Error 1706 After Repair
Error 1706 appears when installing an add-in or update
Some add-ins or updates require the original installation files for a specific Office version. If you upgraded Office from an older version (for example, from Office 2016 to Office 365), remnants of the old installation may still be referenced. Run the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool from the Microsoft website. SaRA automatically detects and fixes Office installation issues.
Error 1706 occurs only for one user account
This indicates a per-user configuration problem rather than a system-wide issue. Sign in with a different Windows user account that has administrative privileges. If the error does not occur under that account, the original user profile may be corrupted. Create a new Windows user profile and migrate your data.
Error 1706 appears when running a script or command line
If you are using a deployment tool or a batch file to install or modify Office, the command may point to a missing or incorrect source path. Verify that the path in the command matches the actual location of the Office .msi files. For Office 365, use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) with a properly configured configuration.xml file.
Quick Repair vs Online Repair: Differences and Use Cases
| Item | Quick Repair | Online Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Internet required | No | Yes |
| Downloads new files | No | Yes |
| Fixes missing cache files | No | Yes |
| Fixes registry corruption | Yes | Yes |
| Typical duration | 5 to 10 minutes | 20 to 60 minutes |
| Best for error 1706 | First attempt | If Quick Repair fails |
Use Quick Repair for minor registry or file registration issues. Use Online Repair when the Windows Installer cache is missing or corrupted, which is the primary cause of error 1706.
After completing the repair, you can open Word without error 1706. To prevent this error in the future, avoid deleting the MSOCache folder and do not move Office installation files after setup. If you manage Office deployments for multiple users, store the installation source on a network share with read-only access to ensure the installer always finds the files.