Share via

My microsoft excel keeps crashing and saying it ran into a problem

subomi odekunle 0 Reputation points
2026-05-06T13:57:40.8766667+00:00

I will be working in microsoft excel then randomly a popup will appear saying that it ran into a problem then whether i close the popup or click repair error it just closes my excel and doesn't save my work

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Other
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Lester Bernard Reyes 80,375 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-06T14:30:37.8466667+00:00

    Hi, I'm Bernard. I'm happy to help!

    Kindly follow the steps provided by Q&A Assist. However, if the issue persists, I recommend reinstalling Office:

    Press the Windows key + R, then type in:

     

    appwiz.cpl

     

    Then hit OK

     

    Look for the Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 app > Right-click, then select Uninstall

    Follow the prompts to uninstall your Office app.

    Then reinstall your Office app by following the steps from the link below:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-install-or-reinstall-microsoft-365-or-office-2024-on-a-pc-or-mac-4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  2. AI answer

    2026-05-06T13:58:01.1166667+00:00

    Use a step-by-step approach to isolate and fix the crash and prevent data loss:

    1. Install the latest Office and Windows updates
      Out-of-date components can cause random crashes. Follow the steps in Update Microsoft 365 and your computer to install all important and recommended updates. Restart the PC and test Excel again.
    2. Check if Excel is busy with another process
      Look at the Excel status bar (bottom of the window). If it shows that Excel is in use by another process (for example, calculating or updating links), wait for that task to finish before interacting with the workbook. Interrupting heavy operations can contribute to instability.
    3. Repair the Office installation
      Corrupted Office components commonly cause the “ran into a problem” crash dialog.
      • Close all Office apps.
      • Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
      • Find Microsoft 365/Office, select the … → Modify option.
      • Run a Repair. If a quick repair does not help, run an Online Repair, which fully reinstalls Office components.
      • Restart the PC and test Excel.
    4. Check the workbook itself and where it is stored
      Some files or storage locations can trigger crashes:
      • Copy the problematic workbook to a local folder like Documents or Desktop (avoid network shares, SharePoint, redirected folders, Remote Desktop/Citrix sessions, or network appliances) and open it from there.
      • If the crash only happens with one file, the file content may be the cause. Problematic patterns include:
        • Formulas referencing entire columns.
        • Complex array formulas with uneven argument sizes.
        • Hundreds or thousands of hidden shapes/objects.
        • Excessive styles from repeated copy/paste between workbooks.
        • Many invalid or unnecessary defined names.
          Test with a new blank workbook. If new files are stable but the old one crashes, gradually simplify or rebuild the problem workbook.
    5. Check environmental factors (RAM, printer/video drivers, antivirus)
      • Ensure the PC has enough RAM for the size/complexity of the workbook.
      • Temporarily switch the default printer to something like Microsoft XPS Document Writer and test Excel; faulty printer drivers can cause crashes.
      • Update video drivers to the latest version.
      • Make sure antivirus is up to date; if allowed in the environment, temporarily disable real-time scanning just to test whether it conflicts with Excel.
    6. Perform a selective startup (clean boot)
      Background programs and services can conflict with Excel and cause random crashes.
      • Follow the steps in Run Selective Startup using System Configuration for the Windows version in use.
      • In the clean boot state, open Excel and work as usual.
      • If Excel is stable, re-enable startup items and services in small groups to find the conflicting program.
    7. If crashes persist, repair or reinstall more aggressively
      If standard repair does not help and all files/environments crash, a full cleanup and reinstall may be required (as in the moderator guidance):
      • Uninstall Office from Apps & Features / Programs and Features.
      • Manually delete remaining Office folders under Program Files locations if present.
      • Carefully remove leftover Office-related registry keys only if comfortable doing so.
      • Reboot and reinstall Office from the official installer.
    8. Reduce risk of data loss going forward
      • Turn on AutoSave (for files stored in OneDrive/SharePoint).
      • Ensure AutoRecover is enabled and set to save every few minutes.
      • Save frequently, especially before running heavy calculations or macros.

    If Excel continues to crash after these steps, collect details (when it crashes, whether it’s file-specific, any add-ins in use, and any error codes) and contact Microsoft Support for guided troubleshooting.

    References:

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

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.