Note: This is an Article that was created on the Microsoft Answers site that I saved so it could be edited. Despite appearances, it is not on a Microsoft site, now.
That it works in safe mode tells me that the problem is not in your Word code, so repairing or reinstalling it will not help.
The process of fixing this is somewhat tedious.
The problem is either in your Normal.dotm template or in an Add-In.
Virtually every Word installation has Add-Ins installed even if you did not intend to add them.
Add-ins can be quite helpful. I have more than thirty installed on my system for Word.
Try disabling them all.
There are three different kinds of Add-Ins in Word.
Microsoft Store Add-Ins
COM Add-Ins
Template Add-Ins
All can be controlled on the Developer Tab (not the Add-Ins Tab!)
With them all disabled, do you have the problem?
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