Ribbon sub-menus not appearing

i have following problem driving me wall. when im in word, sometimes, out of nowhere, word deny me access "start" or "layout" part of ribbon. said tabs won't open. cannot find consistency in this, happens when have text marked (and want edit font, cross out, justify or something), or when im in text. problem solved repeatedly clicking on said tabs, minimising-maximizing window , trying again, etc. computer new, tried no background programs running, tried run other programs, exclude computer being slow. please help. 

there no such thing start or layout tab among main word ribbons.

i assume using word 2013/365. start page when start word unless turn off. word 2013 startup screen

you can similar clicking on file > open (or alt+f,o)

many of ribbon tabs contextual. means not appear except in condition can used.

there page layout tab , home tab. both should available @ time. there context tabs called layout. @ least 1 of them tables.

here page references non-contextual tabs in word , few of contextual tabs (including table layout tab): the ribbons of microsoft word 2007-2013

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charles kenyon madison, wi

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