File Cannot Open

Fix Office 2016 Word and Excel Files Stuck at 0% from Network Shares

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 871 views

Question details

Users are unable to open Word and Excel 2016 files stored on a network folder, as the application hangs indefinitely at a 0% loading screen. The same files open correctly when copied to a local drive.

Product: Microsoft Office 2016
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Opening shared documents directly from network drives or mapped network folders.
Observed behavior: The Office loading splash screen appears, but the loading progress freezes completely at 0%.

Before you start

Verify that your computer has an active, stable connection to the network drive and that you have the correct read and write permissions for the shared folder.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Office Trust Center Settings for Network Paths

Configure Microsoft Office to explicitly trust the network location, preventing Protected View and security protocols from blocking the file load.

By default, Microsoft Office restricts files opened from network locations for security reasons. Allowing trusted network locations can bypass the strict scanning that causes the 0% loading hang.

Access the Trust Center

Open a blank document in Word or Excel. Go to File > Options, and select 'Trust Center' from the left sidebar.

Open Trust Center Settings

Click the 'Trust Center Settings' button located on the right side of the window.

Enable Network Locations

Navigate to 'Trusted Locations' on the left. Check the box at the bottom that says 'Allow Trusted Locations on my network (not recommended)'.

Add the Network Path

Click 'Add new location', enter the exact network path (or mapped drive letter) where your files are stored, check 'Subfolders of this location are also trusted', and click OK.

Security Tip: Only add network locations that you absolutely trust and know are managed securely by your organization's IT department.

Solution 2

Manage Excel Add-ins and File Block Settings

Investigate and adjust Excel add-ins, specifically the VBA Analysis ToolPak, which may interfere with network file loading.

Solution 3

Perform an Office Repair

Run the built-in Microsoft Office repair tool to fix corrupted application files or network handling configurations.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Open Network Files Seamlessly with WPS Office

If Office 2016 continues to hang at 0% despite troubleshooting, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, robust environment that opens network-shared Word and Excel files instantly without legacy loading bugs.

1. Download and Install: Get the free installer from the official WPS Office website and complete the quick installation process.
2. Set Default Programs: Allow WPS Office to associate with .docx and .xlsx file extensions for seamless opening.
3. Open Your Network Files: Navigate to your network drive and double-click your document to open it instantly in WPS Office.

Completely free and lightweight Office suiteHigh compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formatsOptimized file handling for fast loading from shared network drivesFamiliar user interface requiring zero learning curve

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my files open normally from a local drive but freeze from the network?

When opening files from a network, Office runs additional security checks (like Protected View) and network protocols (SMB). If there is latency, a strict firewall rule, or un-trusted network policy, the background security check hangs, leaving the file stuck at 0%.

Can Windows 11 security settings affect Office 2016 network access?

Yes. Windows 11 introduces stricter network sharing and security protocols. Microsoft Defender or third-party antivirus software may intercept network files for deep scanning, which can delay or completely freeze the Office 2016 loading process.

What should I do if an Office repair only works temporarily?

If repairing Office 2016 fixes the issue only temporarily, the root cause is likely a conflicting Group Policy update, an overactive antivirus program resetting permissions, or an incompatible add-in re-enabling itself. It is recommended to post the issue with reproduction steps on Microsoft Q&A.

Document & File Issues