how to fix my microsoft excel that stops running

festus thaddaeus 0 Reputation points
2026-08-29T16:32:59.4333333+00:00

Screenshot 2026-08-29 172822

my microsoft excel is no longer runing.what is the cause of it

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | Other | Other
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  1. Kai-H 26,135 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-31T09:45:59.93+00:00

    Hi, festus thaddaeus

    The message shown usually points to damaged Excel startup settings or files that load automatically with Excel. Since the usual repair and Safe Mode steps were already tried, it is worth checking the startup environment and then doing a clean reinstall.

    Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try:

    Run the Excel check troubleshooter on the affected Windows PC. It checks hidden startup files, toolbar settings, and Excel configuration automatically. Windows 10 or later is required.

    Close Excel, press Windows + R, and enter:

    %appdata%\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART

    Move any files in that folder to the Desktop temporarily, then reopen Excel. Excel loads these files automatically, so a damaged workbook or template can stop it from starting.

    Create a new local Windows user account and test Excel there. If Excel works normally, the original Windows profile may contain damaged settings.

    If the error remains, use the Microsoft 365 uninstall troubleshooter, restart the computer, and reinstall Office from the Microsoft account that owns the license. Also remove any older Office versions before reinstalling.

    Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-29T16:33:22.83+00:00

    Common causes are:

    • A faulty COM add-in or Excel add-in
    • A damaged or incomplete Microsoft 365/Office installation
    • A background program or service conflicting with Excel
    • Antivirus software that is outdated or integrating with Excel
    • Problems with printer or video drivers
    • File-specific or environment issues, such as opening files from a network, SharePoint, remote session, or external location
    • Large workbooks or low available memory

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Start Excel in Safe Mode
      • Press Windows + R
      • Type excel /safe
      • Select OK
      • If Excel opens in Safe Mode, the problem is usually caused by an add-in.
    2. Disable COM add-ins
      • In Excel, go to File > Options > Add-ins
      • Select COM Add-ins and click Go
      • Clear all check boxes
      • Click OK
      • Close Excel and open it normally
      • If Excel works, re-enable add-ins one at a time to find the one causing the crash.
    3. Repair Microsoft 365/Office
      • In Windows, 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
    4. Check antivirus software
      • Make sure the antivirus is fully updated
      • If the antivirus has Excel integration or an Excel add-in, that can cause performance or startup problems
      • Changing antivirus settings can reduce protection, so use caution
    5. Test for software conflicts
      • Perform a selective startup / clean boot in Windows to identify whether another program, process, or service is conflicting with Excel
    6. If Excel opens but hangs with certain files
      • Copy the workbook to a local folder such as the Desktop and test again
      • This helps determine whether the issue is the file itself or where it is stored
      • Problems can happen when files are opened from a network location, SharePoint, web folder, Remote Desktop/Citrix, or similar environments
    7. Check calculation mode for complex workbooks
      • In Excel, go to Formulas > Calculation Options > Manual
      • This can help if automatic recalculation is causing Excel to become unresponsive
    8. Check printer/video driver issues
      • Excel can be affected by the default printer and video drivers
      • Testing with a different printer such as Microsoft XPS Document Writer can help identify whether the default printer driver is involved

    If Excel does not start even in Safe Mode, repair Office first. If the problem continues after these steps, contact Microsoft Support for guided troubleshooting.

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

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