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Fix Excel CHART.DLL Access Violation Error (0xC0000005)
Question details
The user is experiencing an application crash in Microsoft Excel caused by an access violation in the CHART.DLL module.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening or interacting with Excel workbooks, potentially those containing charts, leading to an immediate application crash.
- Observed behavior
- Excel throws an access violation error in CHART.DLL with exception code 0xC0000005. Standard reinstallation of Microsoft 365 does not resolve the crashing issue.
Ensure you have saved all open workbooks in other Office applications and verify that your Windows operating system is fully updated before running system-level repairs.
Run Excel in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins
Starting Excel in Safe Mode allows you to bypass startup applications and add-ins to identify if a third-party extension is causing the CHART.DLL conflict.
Often, the 0xC0000005 access violation is triggered by incompatible third-party COM add-ins rather than the core Excel software itself.
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type 'excel /safe' and press Enter. If Excel opens without crashing, an add-in is likely the culprit.
In Excel, navigate to File > Options > Add-ins.
At the bottom of the window, change the Manage dropdown to 'COM Add-ins' and click Go. Uncheck all active add-ins, click OK, and restart Excel normally to see if the error is resolved.
Update Graphics Drivers and Microsoft Office
Outdated graphics drivers or Office builds can cause rendering conflicts with CHART.DLL when displaying visual elements.
Perform an Online Repair of Microsoft Office
Since a basic reinstallation might leave corrupted registry keys or files behind, an Online Repair comprehensively rebuilds the Office installation.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable Charting Experience
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash due to persistent CHART.DLL errors, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative. It handles complex charts and data visualization smoothly without relying on the same vulnerable system files.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free WPS Office suite and complete the quick installation.
- 2. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open the Spreadsheet module.
- 3. Edit Your Workbooks: Click Open to browse for your existing Excel files and continue working with your data and charts without crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CHART.DLL file in Excel?
CHART.DLL is a dynamic link library file used by Microsoft Excel to render and process graphs and charts. If this file becomes corrupted, outdated, or conflicts with other software, it triggers an access violation crash with the error code 0xC0000005.
Is it safe to download a replacement CHART.DLL from third-party websites?
No, it is highly dangerous to download DLL files from unofficial third-party sites. These files are often outdated, unsupported, or deliberately infected with malware. You should always use the official Microsoft Office Online Repair tool to restore missing or corrupted DLL files.
Why didn't reinstalling Microsoft 365 fix the CHART.DLL error?
A standard reinstallation sometimes leaves behind corrupted registry entries, customized settings, or conflicting third-party add-ins that continue to cause the 0xC0000005 exception. A complete uninstallation using the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant or performing an Online Repair is usually required to clear the root issue.
How do I know if a specific workbook is causing the crash?
You can isolate the issue by creating a brand-new, blank workbook and inserting a basic chart. If Excel does not crash while working in the new file, the problem is likely isolated to data corruption or unsupported elements within your original workbook.
