Nowadays, many errors are arising on Windows OS. One of such errors is “There was a problem sending the command to the program.” This particular error alert is related to the Microsoft Office package. It mostly arises on the system desktop while we try to launch MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and even with MS Access data files that were created previously with older Office editions.

This error issue affects the entire Windows editions. The root cause of this error is the failure of the OS or miscommunication between OS and MS Office apps when Windows tries to transmit DDE commands to the specific MS Office application. 

Note: This issue usually arises due to the failure of Office applications to launch, but sometimes, it occurs with several other apps.

Here is how to troubleshoot “There was a problem sending the command to the program.”

Deactivating Antivirus Software

In case you are facing trouble with your MS Office apps refusing to launch on your device and flashing error code “There was a problem sending the command to the program”, then it might be due to corrupted antivirus software.

In order to fix the issue, it is recommended to check the antivirus settings properly and then deactivate certain features. Users facing issues such as “Symantec endpoint security” but once you turn off the issue creating features, you will get rid of such annoying issue alerts.

In case the above procedure doesn’t work, then you need to disable the antivirus completely to resolve the issue. If the issue is major and incurable, then you need to uninstall the corrupted app and reinstall it for smooth operations.

In case, reinstalling also shows the issue with the antivirus, then you have to try another antivirus program for your system.

Deactivating Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) Files

• First and foremost, launch the MS Office app flashing the error.
• Then, navigate to the Options section.
• After that, go to the File menu and then choose the tab “options.”
• Navigate to the Advanced section and scroll your page down to the General section.
• Now, unmark the box related to ignoring other apps using DDE data. In case the options are already unchecked, then you have to turn on and then restart the MS Office program.
• Now, deactivate the particular DDE files related apps that seem corrupted.
• Finally, you have to save the modifications that you have made and then reboot the MS Office program.

Note: if the error arises, turn off the entire process related to DDE data as some users reported that the issue is arising as the DDE data is corrupted related to MS Office app.

Deactivating the Run as Administrator Option

Several users are facing this issue due to the “Run as Admin” feature. In order to disable the feature, follow these instructions:

• Navigate to the Start menu.
• Now, you have to enter the name of your Office app flashing error issue.
• After that, perform a right-tab on it and then choose the option “Properties.”
• In case the Properties option is not there, then you have to choose the option “Open File Location.”
• After that, go to the new window and then apply right click on the MS Office program and choose the properties option there.
• Next, move to the tab “Shortcut” and hit the Advanced section.
• Now, unmark the “Run this Administrator” option.
• Finally, Save the modifications you made to the device.

Note: Most of the time, some apps don’t work unless you kick them to start with admin rights. Sometimes, this feature causes issues and restricting various actions to perform smoothly, thus causing this error “There was a problem sending the command to the program.”

Troubleshooting MS Office Issues

• At the start, hit the search bar to activate and then enter “Programs and Features.”
• Press the Enter button to execute the command.
• Now, select the MS Office program flashing error issue. You may also choose the entire Office suite.
• Once you are all done, hit the Change tab there.
• Now, hit the Repair tab followed by hitting the Continue option.
• Sometimes, MS Office installation gets corrupted or damaged; then, in this case, you face this error message. In order to fix the issue, it is recommended to repair the MS Office installation and then check that it helps or not. Repairing the installation is a very straightforward method, and it can be performed on any Windows device.

Disabling Add-ins

• Firstly, you have to expand the Office problem causing error issues.
• Then, navigate to the menu “File.”
• After that, press the Options tab and then hit the Add-Ins button.
• Next, go to the Manage Lists situated at the lowermost section of the display and then hit the “COM Add-Ins” option there.
• Press the Go tab.
• Now, remove one of the available add-ins.
• Hit the OK button there.
• Finally, try to restart the MS Office program and if the issue persists, repeat the above procedures and then choose different add-ins to step no.- 3.
• Remove the add-ins each at a time.

Disabling Hardware Acceleration

• In the beginning, reach the File section and then press the Options tab.
• You will get the fresh dialogue box on your screen. Hit the Advanced tab.
• Now, choose the option “Disable Hardware graphics acceleration.”
• Then, press the OK button.

Note: When you deactivated the hardware acceleration feature on your device, the system will become slightly slow, but finally, it stops the error alert from appearing on your screen. Various apps use hardware acceleration for speedy performance, but sometimes, it flashes error issues on your device. You have to detect the real issue and then fix it properly.

Source :- https://askactivate.com/how-to-fix-there-was-a-problem-sending-the-command-to-the-program/