OLE Error Message in Project

Christine Banull 0 Reputation points
2026-01-06T19:46:29.98+00:00

Why has project started giving me OLE error reports regarding the company logo on the Project Schedules? And how do I fix this. Changing the image type and size has not worked.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Project | For business | Windows

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  1. Sean Kearney 0 Reputation points
    2026-01-09T02:47:03.73+00:00

    A note to say we're experencing the same issues with Microsoft Project. We have tested in client enviroments and with our own copy of the Microsoft Project online desktop client. It appeatrs to have started a couple of months ago, and it can be replicated on the latest build Version 2511 (19426.20218).

    The scenario is an OLE wartning pop up durng print preview, or when switching tabs in the page setup tab.

    The images are inserted and have not been linked to an external source, or copp/pasted from another office app. We have tried multiple image files with no internet security locks, and the issue persists.

    The only resolution to the issue is to remove images from the header/footer.

    Office repairs are no use. We have tested this with a fresh install and experience the same issue. We have confirmed ole32.dll and oleaut32.dll load from C:\Windows\System32.

    We have also attempted the fix listed here, without success: https://www.reddit.com/r/MSProject/comments/1jfq9it/ole_project_error/

    There appear to be other reports online of the same issue recenly, suggesting a bug or change: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5511656/ole-print-error

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  2. Vy Nguyen 11,410 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-01-06T20:17:29.8566667+00:00

    Hi @Christine Banull, 

    Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

    Based on your description, Microsoft Project displays OLE error messages when your company logo appears on schedule printouts, and changing the image type or size hasn’t helped. We truly understand and appreciate the time you’ve invested to investigate this and ask for assistance. 

    OLE prompts occur when Project treats the logo as an object that must be activated (linked/embedded content) or when it’s stored in a location that Project’s Trust Center doesn’t recognize as safe. In recent versions, placing the image in a Trusted Location or re‑embedding it as a standard picture typically removes repeated prompts.  

    To better assist you, could you confirm:   

    • Please share the exact Microsoft Project edition/build (File > Account > About Project) and your Windows version (Windows 10/11 + build). 
    • Did you insert it via Page Setup > Header/Footer > Picture (embedded image) or via Insert > Object/OLE (linked/embedded object)? Is the logo embedded in the file or linked to an external path? 
    • What is the folder path of the logo (e.g., C:\Logos, network share, OneDrive/SharePoint)? In Project > Options > Trust Center > Trusted Locations, is that folder added (with Include subfolders enabled)? 
    • At which step do the OLE messages show (Page Setup, Print Preview, printing), and how often? If you re‑insert the logo as a Picture or export to PDF and print, do the prompts stop? 

    In the meantime, below are a few practical solutions that could best fit your current needs:  

    1/ Start by adding the logo as an embedded graphic within the document for consistent rendering. 

    • In Project, open File > Page Setup > Header/Footer, remove the current logo, then add it back using Insert > Pictures (do not use “Insert Object” or “Link to File”).  
    • This ensures it’s a static image rather than an OLE object.  

    2/ Proceed by designating the image folder as a Trusted Location. 

    • Save the logo in a local folder such as C:\Logos, then go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trusted Locations > Add new location and select that folder (enable Include subfolders). 
    • Some customers report that adding C:\ also stops the prompts; using a dedicated folder is safer.  

    3/ Then, Confirm one set of OLE DLLs is loaded:  

    Use Process Explorer to select WINPROJ.EXE, switch the lower pane to DLLs, and verify ole32.dll and oleaut32.dll load from C:\Windows\System32 or from C:\Windows\SysWOW64 for 32 bit Project.  

    4/ Afterward, check for Project and Office updates and complete a repair if applicable. 

    5/ Contact IT administrator 

    Since your account is managed by your organization, please contact your IT administrator to review your permissions and policies. If the issue persists after these checks, ask your IT administrator to submit a support request directly to Microsoft Support team.     

    They can raise a support ticket by visiting: Get support - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn 

    As community moderators, we appreciate your understanding that our access to internal development details is limited. Our primary role is to guide users toward the appropriate resources and support channels. While we may not have visibility into deeper backend analysis, we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.    

    I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If you have any updates regarding the issue, please feel free to share them with me.      

    Thank you for your patience and your understanding.

    I look forward to continuing the conversation. Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".    

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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  3. Christine Banull 0 Reputation points
    2026-01-06T19:57:50.51+00:00

    How do I ensure that I am not using multiple versions of the OLE DLLs simultaneously.

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  4. AI answer

    2026-01-06T19:46:39.1566667+00:00

    The OLE error messages you are encountering regarding the company logo in your Project Schedules may be due to issues with the OLE dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) or the way the image is being handled in the application. Here are a couple of potential causes and solutions:

    1. Incorrect OLE Version: If the versions of the OLE DLLs do not match those expected by the host application, it can lead to errors. Ensure that you are not using multiple versions of the OLE DLLs simultaneously. You should only use the version that is compatible with your current setup.
    2. Invalid Picture Type: If the image format of the logo does not match what is expected (e.g., trying to assign a non-image file to a picture property), you may receive an error. Make sure that the image you are trying to use is a valid bitmap, icon, or Windows metafile.

    If changing the image type and size has not resolved the issue, you might want to check for any updates or reinstall the application to ensure all components are correctly set up.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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