Wordfast Pro fails to open

You try opening Wordfast Pro 5 but it will not load. Typically, the initial blue WF logo is shown, with the blue comet underneath flying to and fro and the little caption saying Loading window content, but that's where it ends.

Potential reasons and solutions

The problem is usually caused by one of the following conditions.

Corruption in Wordfast's internal information

Windows-only problem. To solve it, use your file manager (typically Windows Explorer). Go to your hard drive (usually C:\) and then follow this path to reach the .gs4tr.editor folder:

…\Users\your_user_name\.gs4tr.editor

Inside the .gs4tr.editor folder, there should be a folder whose name starts with the version number of Wordfast Pro 5 on your computer, such as 5.11.1_x64 (my current Wordfast Pro version is 5.11.1). Delete this version-specific folder. Wordfast will re-create the folder where it needs it, with a new set of its internal information, without the old corruption.

Open Wordfast Pro 5.

Your security software blocking Wordfast Pro 5

Anti-virus programs, firewalls, or other security software may prevent Wordfast Pro 5 from running by blocking some of its key components. To solve the problem, check the settings in your security software, and white-list Wordfast Pro 5.

The below instructions for Windows Firewall may give some hints to users of other firewalls, too.

Windows Firewall blocking Wordfast Pro 5

Windows Defender may display a message saying Windows Firewall has blocked some features of this app with a reference to OpenJDK Platform binary application. It also shows the path to the application, typically C:\Program Files\Wordfast Pro\jre\bin\javaw.exe. The path mentions Wordfast Pro but the name of the application does not, so it's easy to overlook it actually refers to a Wordfast Pro component. Unless you click Allow access (at least for private networks) in the dialog, Windows Firewall will block Wordfast Pro 5.

When the OpenJDK Platform binary component gets blocked by Windows Firewall, which prevents Wordfast Pro from opening, here is what to do: Open Windows Defender and access Firewall and network security section there. Click Allow an app through firewall. Scroll the list of apps to find OpenJDK Platform binary. Click it to select the line in the list. You can click the Details… button to verify it's the C:\Program Files\Wordfast Pro\jre\bin\javaw.exe file. Click Change settings button and then tick the check box under Private (you can also tick Public but it should not be necessary). Click OK to confirm the dialog.

Open Wordfast Pro 5.