Miscellaneous topics that do not fit into specific categories.
Excel and Word can stop responding for several common reasons. Try these steps in order:
- Update Office and Windows
Install the latest updates for Microsoft 365/Office and Windows. Out‑of‑date files and security fixes can cause apps to hang. Follow the steps in: Update Microsoft 365 and your computer. - Repair Microsoft 365/Office
Repairing Office often fixes non‑responding Word/Excel:- Open Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features.
- Select Microsoft 365/Office → Change.
- Choose Quick Repair first. If the issue remains, run Online Repair if available.
Detailed steps: Repair an Office application.
- Start Excel in Safe Mode and check add‑ins
Add‑ins or startup files can make Excel hang:- Press
Win + R, typeexcel /safe, press Enter. - If Excel works in Safe Mode, go to File → Options → Add‑ins → Manage COM Add‑ins → Go and disable all add‑ins, then re‑enable one by one to find the problem.
Also check XLSTART and other startup folders for problematic files.
- Press
- Check antivirus integration
If antivirus software integrates with Office/Excel, it can cause freezing:- Make sure antivirus definitions are up to date (update from the vendor’s site).
- If it has Excel/Office plug‑ins, temporarily disable that integration or Excel add‑ins from the antivirus.
Note: changing antivirus settings can increase risk; do this carefully.
- Test files and storage location
- Move a problematic workbook or document to the local drive (e.g., Desktop) and open it. If it works, the external drive, network location, or cable/port may be the issue.
- If only one file hangs, try File → Open → Open and Repair in Excel, or recreate/re‑export the file if it came from another application.
- Check environment (RAM, printer/video drivers)
- Ensure the PC meets Office system requirements and has enough RAM.
- Try switching the default printer (e.g., to Microsoft XPS Document Writer) and updating video drivers; Excel is sensitive to printer/video drivers, especially in Page Break Preview.
If Word and Excel still do not respond after these steps, use the guided browser support for Office or contact Microsoft Support for deeper troubleshooting.
References:
- Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working
- Safe mode troubleshooting
- Automate safe mode troubleshooting
- Check to see if your antivirus software is up-to-date or conflicting with Excel
- More Information
- Word, Excel, or Outlook might stop responding after installing the KB5002700 security update for Office 2016
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