A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.
Try these steps in order:
- Start Excel in Safe Mode
- Press Windows + R.
- Type excel /safe and select OK.
- If Excel opens, the problem is likely caused by an add-in or startup file.
- Disable COM add-ins
- In Excel, go to File > Options > Add-ins.
- Select COM Add-ins and click Go.
- Clear all check boxes, then click OK.
- Close Excel and open it normally.
- If it works, re-enable add-ins one at a time to find the one causing the error.
- Check Excel startup folders
- Excel can automatically open files from the XLStart folder or an alternate startup folder.
- A bad file there can cause Excel to hang when opening.
- Start Excel without those startup files and test again.
- Install the latest Office and Windows updates
- Out-of-date files can cause Excel to freeze or stop responding.
- Also check whether Excel is still busy with another process before clicking repair again.
- Repair Microsoft 365
- Close all Office apps.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft 365 or Office.
- Select Modify.
- Run Quick Repair first.
- If the issue continues, run Online Repair.
- Restart the PC after the repair finishes.
- Check antivirus software
- Make sure antivirus definitions are up to date.
- If the antivirus has Excel integration or an Excel add-in, it can cause performance or startup problems.
- Changing antivirus settings can reduce protection, so use caution.
- Test the workbook locally
- If the file is stored on a network location, SharePoint, web folder, or redirected folder, save a copy locally and open that copy.
- This helps determine whether the issue is with the file or where it is stored.
- If Excel still hangs
- Try a selective startup (clean boot) to check whether another background app or service is conflicting with Excel.
- If the problem continues after all steps, contact Microsoft Support for guided troubleshooting.
Important: If registry-based add-in troubleshooting is needed later, back up the registry first because incorrect changes can cause serious problems.
- Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working
- ERROR MESSAGE WHEN OPENING EXCEL.... - Microsoft Q&A
- When I open an excel file it shows - We're sorry, but excel has run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly, Excel will need to be closed as a result. would you like us to repair now? then shows the option "repair now","help","close" - Microsoft Q&A
- Excel fails to respond - Microsoft Q&A