Cannot start Access today. Get error "Automatic configuration of the current version of Microsoft Access has failed."

Anonymous
2018-03-04T21:26:15+00:00

Hello

I have been using office 2016 (16.0.9029.2167) for about 8 months. Today Access will not start. I get the error "Automatic configuration of the current version of Microsoft Access has failed. Your database might not function correctly. This can occur if you do not have the necessary permissions to install Microsoft Access on this computer."

  1. Been using Office 2016 for months.
  2. Using it as administrator.
  3. I have changed nothing on the computer deliberately.
  4. When I go into Apps and Features I see that the date against Microsoft Access Pro Plus - en - us is 4th. Mar 2018 which is yesterday in Australia. I did not change/add any features.
  5. I have Windows 10 Pro, Version 1709, OS Build 16299.248

Any help appreciated.

BTW how do I see if an update to Office occurred on 4 Mar 2018?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-03-09T17:21:48+00:00

    I cannot install the Access Engine at all. 

    I downloaded the 32 bits option and the 64bits option.

    When I try to install the 32 option I get:

    But when I the try to install the 64 bit option I get:

    This is crazy. Any advice?

    Same issue here!

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-03-09T17:26:31+00:00

    So, have you simply tried reverting your office installation to a prior build, basically uninstall the latest build?  This has been confirmed by at least a dozen people as the workaround and doesn't require installing any new software.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-03-09T17:34:24+00:00

    Yeah, when I try to revert to 16.0.9001.2138 the 'Downloading updates' box appears for a while, then I get a generic 'Something went wrong' message and it stops...

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-03-09T21:08:43+00:00

    So, have you simply tried reverting your office installation to a prior build, basically uninstall the latest build?  This has been confirmed by at least a dozen people as the workaround and doesn't require installing any new software.

    Daniel,

    Thank you for your suggestions.

    I've been watching this discussion thread since Access first failed. (Some of the registry edits did not apply.)  I tried downloading/installing the latest 2016 database engine (32-bit) that would match my Office Click-to-Run installation. That failed, so I sat back and waited.

    When you suggested reverting to the last stable Access version, I opted to try that. I gathered all of the information I might need (version numbers, builds, ...), printed out your instructions and set to work. It worked smoothly. I disabled automatic updates.

    Access is working once again.

    Many thanks!

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-03-09T22:31:23+00:00

    Yeah, when I try to revert to 16.0.9001.2138 the 'Downloading updates' box appears for a while, then I get a generic 'Something went wrong' message and it stops...

    @RAB1

    Contact Microsoft Office365 Support.  Tell them you need to revert your office installation to 9001.2138 and that it doesn't work, tell them the error message you receive verbatim.  They should be able to help.  If need be they will take remote control and do what needs to be done.

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