This Document is Either Deleted or Not Accessible [2024 Updated]

7 Fixes on This Document is Either Deleted or Not Accessible

While you were in the middle of an important project, have you seen an awful error message? That one where it states, “This document is either deleted or not currently accessible”?

It’s just like you’ve run into a digital brick wall. When you try to open a file that you are positive was recently there, you are left wondering if it disappeared permanently. Don’t worry, though! This blog is here to guide you through six proven methods to recover those seemingly lost files and help you troubleshoot the issue effectively. Let’s dive in!

Part 1: Reasons Behind the ‘This Document is Either Deleted or Not Accessible’ Error

A Word document may not open for a variety of reasons, which is highlighted by this error message: “This document is either deleted or not currently accessible.” Identifying these causes will enable you to solve the problem efficiently.

Here are some common causes:

1. Accidental Deletion: The document may have been deleted from your hard drive.
2. Unsaved Changes: Closing the document without saving results in lost content.
3. Document Corruption: A corrupted document cannot be opened, blocking access.
4. File Accessibility Issues: Content problems may prevent the file from opening.

Part 2: How Do I Fix This Document is Either Deleted or Not Accessible? 

In this section, we will explore some effective solutions to fix the “this document is either deleted or not currently accessible Mac” error quickly and help you regain access to your documents.

2.1: 4 Methods To Recover Deleted Word Documents On Mac

Option A: Check the File Name and Path

Double-check that the document isn’t simply missing before trying any complicated troubleshooting. You can often resolve the problem fast by using this method.

• Open Finder.
• Open the original Word document’s folder by browsing there.
• Locate the document file (.docx for Word documents) with the right file name and extension.
• Use Spotlight Search to scan your entire Mac for the file if it’s not there where you expected it to be.
• Find the file and open it from the new place if it has been moved.

Option B: Recover Deleted Word Files from the Trash

If you are seeing an error message such as “this document is either deleted or not currently accessible,” it likely means that your file is in the trash. Thankfully, your Mac’s Trash holds files that can be recovered. For this:

• Open Trash: Click the Trash icon in the dock to view deleted items.
• Choose Document: Find the Word document you wish to recover, then right-click or Control-click on it.
• Restore Document: Select “Put Back” to return it to its original location. A confirmation Finder window will open.

Alternatively, you can drag the document out of the Trash or copy it to another location. You can now open and use the file without issues.

Option C: Recover Deleted Word Files Using 4DDIG

Using a third-party tool like the 4DDiG data recovery tool can help you recover your Word documents effectively. This reliable software is designed to retrieve lost files from Macs or Mac-based devices, including USBs, SD cards, etc.

Features of this Mac data recovery tool:

• It can help restore 2000+ file formats such as documents, archives, videos, audio, and images.
• It is compatible with both the latest macOS versions (e.g., Sonoma, Sequoia) and older ones.
• You can easily recover Word documents lost for various reasons, including accidental deletion, formatting errors, virus attacks, and more.
• It provides a feature to preview deleted Word documents before restoring them.
• No technical knowledge required.

Steps to recover permanently deleted Word documents on Mac:

1. Download and install the 4DDiG Data Recovery tool on your Mac.
2. Open the software and go to the recovery section. Import the inaccessible Word file you wish to repair.

3. Click “Start Scan” for errors and initiate the recovery process. Must review the recovered files after scanning them and select the file you want to recover.

4. Preview the recovered document and save it to your desired location.

Option D: Recover Deleted Word Files with Time Machine

Time Machine is a built-in feature of Mac that automatically backs up every file and document on your Mac to prevent errors like “Word this document is either deleted or not currently accessible.” This is how:

1. Launch Time Machine: Press the Command + Space keys, then search for and open Time Machine.
2. Locate the Document: To get to the Word document you need, use the left and right arrow keys.
3. Restore the File: Once located, click the Restore button to recover the Word file.

4. Quit Time Machine: Exit the Time Machine window and check if the inaccessible Word file has been restored.

Make sure you regularly back up your files to ensure successful recovery from Time Machine!

2.2: 3 Ways to Repair Corrupted Word Files on Mac

Option E: Use the Built-In Repair Feature

Using Microsoft Word’s built-in repair feature can be an effective solution to resolve the issue of “this document is either deleted or not currently accessible Mac.” This feature can help recover text from corrupted files, though results may vary based on the type of corruption. Here’s how:

1. Open the Word File: Click on File and select Open.
2. Access Recovery Options: Go to the location of the corrupted file you want to repair. Then, click on the arrow next to the Open button. Select Open and Repair.

Once completed, Word will attempt to recover the text from the corrupted file. If this feature fails to fix the “this document is either deleted or not currently accessible” error, we recommend employing a dedicate file repair tool.

Option F: Boot into Safe Mode

One way to address this issue is to boot your Mac into Safe Mode. Safe Mode prevents unnecessary software from loading during startup and checks your startup disk. Here’s how to do it on your Mac model:

For Apple Silicon Macs:

• Shut down your Mac.
• When the startup options appear, turn it on and hold the power button.
• Keeping holding the Shift key, choose your startup disk, then select “Continue in Safe Mode.”
• Please log in again if necessary.

For Intel Macs:

• When your Mac restarts, hold down the Shift key immediately.
• Release the key at the login window and log in.
• The “Safe Boot” will show up in the upper-right spot.

If issues persist in Safe Mode, update all software and apps. Now you should no longer need to worry about the “this document is either deleted or not currently accessible Mac” issue.

Option G: Update the Word App

Sometimes, the too-slow Word app can’t keep up with your Mac settings and hardware, causing issues with your .docx files. Updating the app can help improve performance and resolve the error. Here’s how to do it:

• Open the Word app on your Mac.
• Click on Help in the menu bar.
• Select Check for Updates.
• To install any available updates, follow the instructions.
• Open your document again after restarting Word.

Part 3: How to Prevent Your Word Files from Being Deleted or Corrupted?

Thankfully, you can take several precautions to keep your files safe from this frustrating error  “Word this document is either deleted or not currently accessible” message. Here are essential tips to avoid losing or damaging your Word documents:

• Avoid Quick Deletion of System Files: Be cautious when freeing up space to prevent corruption from deleting necessary files.
• Conduct Regular Hard Drive Checks: Use tools like Disk Utility to scan for faulty sectors and prevent damage.
• Ensure Proper System Reinstallation: Follow correct procedures during system reinstallation to avoid file corruption.
• Safely Eject External Drives: Always use the “Safe to Remove Hardware” function to prevent data corruption.
• Set Frequent Auto-Save Intervals: Adjust Word’s auto-save settings to minimize data loss during unexpected shutdowns.
• Utilize Regular Backups: Use Time Machine or other backup software to recover lost or deleted files.

Conclusion

So, there is the answer to your query, “How to solve the this document is either deleted or not accessible error,” in the form of 6 proven methods. From checking file paths to recovering files from Trash, using Time Machine, these solutions cover every possible scenario. 

Plus, if you’re wondering how to recover deleted Word documents, Tenorshare 4DDiG can be the trust choice. This tool ensures that no document is lost forever, helping you restore important work and avoid future issues.