How to Start LibreOffice Writer, Calc or Impress in Safe Mode

This tutorial explains how to start LibreOffice (Writer, Calc, Impress, etc.) in safe mode. The steps shown below are identical on all operating systems where LibreOffice Suite is available.

Despite being an open-source office suite, LibreOffice provides a wide range of features, and customization. However, having so many options at hand can lead users to over-customize, resulting in unexpected crashes, low performance, or frequent freezes.

To address these issues, starting LibreOffice in safe mode can fix the underlying problems by removing all user-made customization and resetting all settings to their default state. In safe mode, LibreOffice disables extensions, custom settings, and hardware accelerations, allowing users to diagnose and resolve issues.

Start LibreOffice In Safe Mode From Toolbar

LibreOffice provides a dedicated option in the top toolbar under the Help section to quickly access the Restart in Safe Mode.

Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Open LibreOffice or any of its applications, such as Writer, Calc, or Impress.

Step 2: From the top menu bar, click on Help, and then select Restart in Safe Mode.

Step 3: When asked for confirmation, select Restart.

Start LibreOffice in Safe Mode From Command Line

Starting LibreOffice in safe mode from the command line is the easiest and preferred way. If you’re using Windows, you can use Command Prompt. For GNU/Linux and Mac, open the terminal emulator and type the command below, then press Enter.

For Windows

Step 1: Open Command Prompt.

Step 2: Type the command below, and press Enter.

"%ProgramFiles%\LibreOffice\program\soffice" --safe-mode

Step 3: LibreOffice should now start in safe mode.

For GNU/Linux and Mac Os

Step 1: Launch the Terminal Emulator.

Step 2: Type the command below, and press Enter.

libreoffice --safe-mode

Step 3: LibreOffice should now start in safe mode.

Things You Can Do in Safe Mode in LibreOffice

Once you’re in LibreOffice’s safe mode, you can do several things to troubleshoot the problems you’re facing. Here are some of the options available to you:

1. Restore from backup of previous configurations: In LibreOffice’s safe mode, you can restore from a backup of previous configurations. This is helpful if you have made changes to the settings that have caused issues, and you want to go back to a previous configuration.
2. Disable or uninstall extensions that might have caused the problem: Extensions can sometimes cause issues with LibreOffice. In safe mode, you can disable or uninstall extensions that you suspect are causing the problem.
3. Deactivate hardware acceleration: Hardware acceleration is a feature that can improve the performance of LibreOffice. However, it can also cause problems if the hardware is incompatible. In safe mode, you can deactivate hardware acceleration to see if it’s causing any issues.
4. Reset the entire LibreOffice back to its default state: If you’re still facing issues even after trying the above steps, you can reset the entire LibreOffice back to its default state. This will remove all your customization, extensions, and settings, and restore the program to its original state.

How to Leave Safe Mode in LibreOffice

Once you’re in safe mode and have chosen the desired option, you have two choices: you can either apply the changes and restart LibreOffice or continue working in safe mode without committing any changes.

Note: If you choose to continue working in safe mode, LibreOffice will be opened with its default settings for that session. However, once you close the program, LibreOffice won’t remember any changes made during that session.

If you want to clean the old configurations and start off with the default factory settings, you need to apply the changes and restart LibreOffice. This will remove all customization and settings that were causing the problems and restore the program to its default state.