How to fix the Runtime Code 2185 You can't reference a property or method for a control unless the control has the focus

Symptoms of Code 2185 - You can't reference a property or method for a control unless the control has the focus

Runtime errors happen without warning. The error message can come up the screen anytime Microsoft Access is run. In fact, the error message or some other dialogue box can come up again and again if not addressed early on.

There may be instances of files deletion or new files appearing. Though this symptom is largely due to virus infection, it can be attributed as a symptom for runtime error, as virus infection is one of the causes for runtime error. User may also experience a sudden drop in internet connection speed, yet again, this is not always the case.

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Causes of You can't reference a property or method for a control unless the control has the focus - Code 2185

During software design, programmers code anticipating the occurrence of errors. However, there are no perfect designs, as errors can be expected even with the best program design. Glitches can happen during runtime if a certain error is not experienced and addressed during design and testing.

Runtime errors are generally caused by incompatible programs running at the same time. It may also occur because of memory problem, a bad graphics driver or virus infection. Whatever the case may be, the problem must be resolved immediately to avoid further problems. Here are ways to remedy the error.

Repair Methods

Runtime errors may be annoying and persistent, but it is not totally hopeless, repairs are available. Here are ways to do it.

If a repair method works for you, please click the upvote button to the left of the answer, this will let other users know which repair method is currently working the best.

Please note: Neither ErrorVault.com nor it's writers claim responsibility for the results of the actions taken from employing any of the repair methods listed on this page - you complete these steps at your own risk.

Method 1 - Close Conflicting Programs

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When you get a runtime error, keep in mind that it is happening due to programs that are conflicting with each other. The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to stop these conflicting programs.

• Open Task Manager by clicking Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time. This will let you see the list of programs currently running.
• Go to the Processes tab and stop the programs one by one by highlighting each program and clicking the End Process buttom.
• You will need to observe if the error message will reoccur each time you stop a process.
• Once you get to identify which program is causing the error, you may go ahead with the next troubleshooting step, reinstalling the application.

Method 2 - Update / Reinstall Conflicting Programs

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Using Control Panel

• For Windows 7, click the Start Button, then click Control panel, then Uninstall a program
• For Windows 8, click the Start Button, then scroll down and click More Settings, then click Control panel > Uninstall a program.
• For Windows 10, just type Control Panel on the search box and click the result, then click Uninstall a program
• Once inside Programs and Features, click the problem program and click Update or Uninstall.
• If you chose to update, then you will just need to follow the prompt to complete the process, however if you chose to Uninstall, you will follow the prompt to uninstall and then re-download or use the application's installation disk to reinstall the program.

Using Other Methods

• For Windows 7, you may find the list of all installed programs when you click Start and scroll your mouse over the list that appear on the tab. You may see on that list utility for uninstalling the program. You may go ahead and uninstall using utilities available in this tab.
• For Windows 10, you may click Start, then Settings, then choose Apps.
• Scroll down to see the list of Apps and features installed in your computer.
• Click the Program which is causing the runtime error, then you may choose to uninstall or click Advanced options to reset the application.

Method 3 - Update your Virus protection program or download and install the latest Windows Update

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Virus infection causing runtime error on your computer must immediately be prevented, quarantined or deleted. Make sure you update your virus program and run a thorough scan of the computer or, run Windows update so you can get the latest virus definition and fix.

Method 4 - Re-install Runtime Libraries

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You might be getting the error because of an update, like the MS Visual C++ package which might not be installed properly or completely. What you can do then is to uninstall the current package and install a fresh copy.

• Uninstall the package by going to Programs and Features, find and highlight the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.
• Click Uninstall on top of the list, and when it is done, reboot your computer.
• Download the latest redistributable package from Microsoft then install it.

Method 5 - Run Disk Cleanup

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You might also be experiencing runtime error because of a very low free space on your computer.

• You should consider backing up your files and freeing up space on your hard drive
• You can also clear your cache and reboot your computer
• You can also run Disk Cleanup, open your explorer window and right click your main directory (this is usually C: )
• Click Properties and then click Disk Cleanup

Method 6 - Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

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If the error is related to a bad graphics driver, then you may do the following:

• Open your Device Manager, locate the graphics driver
• Right click the video card driver then click uninstall, then restart your computer

Method 7 - IE related Runtime Error

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If the error you are getting is related to the Internet Explorer, you may do the following:

1. Reset your browser.
• For Windows 7, you may click Start, go to Control Panel, then click Internet Options on the left side. Then you can click Advanced tab then click the Reset button.
• For Windows 8 and 10, you may click search and type Internet Options, then go to Advanced tab and click Reset.
2. Disable script debugging and error notifications.
• On the same Internet Options window, you may go to Advanced tab and look for Disable script debugging
• Put a check mark on the radio button
• At the same time, uncheck the "Display a Notification about every Script Error" item and then click Apply and OK, then reboot your computer.

If these quick fixes do not work, you can always backup files and run repair reinstall on your computer. However, you can do that later when the solutions listed here did not do the job.

Other languages:

Wie beheben Fehler 2185 (Sie können nicht auf eine Eigenschaft oder Methode für ein Steuerelement verweisen, es sei denn, das Steuerelement hat den Fokus) - Sie können nicht auf eine Eigenschaft oder Methode für ein Steuerelement verweisen, es sei denn, das Steuerelement hat den Fokus.@Versuchen Sie einen der folgenden Schritte: * Verschieben Sie den Fokus auf das Steuerelement, bevor Sie auf die Eigenschaft verweisen. Verwenden Sie in Visual Basic-Code die SetFocus-Methode. Verwenden Sie in einem Makro das GoToCo
Come fissare Errore 2185 (Non puoi fare riferimento a una proprietà o a un metodo per un controllo a meno che il controllo non abbia il focus) - Non puoi fare riferimento a una proprietà oa un metodo per un controllo a meno che il controllo non abbia il focus.@Prova una delle seguenti operazioni: * Sposta lo stato attivo sul controllo prima di fare riferimento alla proprietà. Nel codice Visual Basic, utilizzare il metodo SetFocus. In una macro, usa GoToCo
Hoe maak je Fout 2185 (U kunt niet verwijzen naar een eigenschap of methode voor een besturingselement, tenzij het besturingselement de focus heeft) - U kunt alleen naar een eigenschap of methode voor een besturingselement verwijzen als het besturingselement de focus heeft.@Probeer een van de volgende oplossingen: * Verplaats de focus naar het besturingselement voordat u naar de eigenschap verwijst. Gebruik in Visual Basic-code de methode SetFocus. Gebruik in een macro de GoToCo
Comment réparer Erreur 2185 (Vous ne pouvez pas référencer une propriété ou une méthode pour un contrôle à moins que le contrôle n'ait le focus) - Vous ne pouvez pas référencer une propriété ou une méthode pour un contrôle à moins que le contrôle n'ait le focus.@Essayez l'une des opérations suivantes : * Déplacez le focus vers le contrôle avant de référencer la propriété. Dans le code Visual Basic, utilisez la méthode SetFocus. Dans une macro, utilisez le GoToCo
어떻게 고치는 지 오류 2185 (컨트롤에 포커스가 없으면 컨트롤의 속성이나 메서드를 참조할 수 없습니다.) - 컨트롤에 포커스가 없으면 컨트롤의 속성이나 메서드를 참조할 수 없습니다.@다음 중 하나를 시도하십시오. * 속성을 참조하기 전에 컨트롤로 포커스를 이동합니다. Visual Basic 코드에서는 SetFocus 메서드를 사용합니다. 매크로에서 GoToCo
Como corrigir o Erro 2185 (Você não pode fazer referência a uma propriedade ou método para um controle, a menos que o controle tenha o foco) - Você não pode fazer referência a uma propriedade ou método para um controle, a menos que o controle tenha o foco. @ Tente uma das seguintes opções: * Mova o foco para o controle antes de fazer referência à propriedade. No código do Visual Basic, use o método SetFocus. Em uma macro, use o GoToCo
Hur man åtgärdar Fel 2185 (Du kan inte referera till en egenskap eller metod för en kontroll om inte kontrollen har fokus) - Du kan inte referera till en egenskap eller metod för en kontroll om inte kontrollen har fokus.@Prova något av följande: * Flytta fokus till kontrollen innan du refererar till egenskapen. I Visual Basic -koden använder du SetFocus -metoden. I ett makro använder du GoToCo
Как исправить Ошибка 2185 (Вы не можете ссылаться на свойство или метод для элемента управления, если элемент управления не имеет фокус) - Вы не можете ссылаться на свойство или метод для элемента управления, если этот элемент управления не имеет фокус. @ Попробуйте одно из следующих действий: * Переместите фокус на элемент управления, прежде чем ссылаться на свойство. В коде Visual Basic используйте метод SetFocus. В макросе используйте GoToCo
Jak naprawić Błąd 2185 (Nie możesz odwoływać się do właściwości lub metody dla kontrolki, chyba że kontrolka ma fokus) - Nie możesz odwoływać się do właściwości lub metody dla kontrolki, chyba że kontrolka ma fokus.@Wypróbuj jedną z następujących czynności: * Przenieś fokus do kontrolki przed odwołaniem się do właściwości. W kodzie Visual Basic użyj metody SetFocus. W makrze użyj GoToCo
Cómo arreglar Error 2185 (No puede hacer referencia a una propiedad o método para un control a menos que el control tenga el foco) - No puede hacer referencia a una propiedad o método para un control a menos que el control tenga el foco. @ Pruebe una de las siguientes opciones: * Mueva el foco al control antes de hacer referencia a la propiedad. En el código de Visual Basic, use el método SetFocus. En una macro, use GoToCo

About The Author: Phil Hart has been a Microsoft Community Contributor since 2010. With a current point score over 100,000, they've contributed more than 3000 answers in the Microsoft Support forums and have created almost 200 new help articles in the Technet Wiki.

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