'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Excel Crashes with EXCEL.EXE Error in ntdll.dll
Question details
A user is experiencing frequent Microsoft Excel crashes linked to an EXCEL.EXE failure involving the ntdll.dll module and exception code 0xc0000374.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Using Microsoft Excel during daily tasks when the application suddenly closes.
- Observed behavior
- Excel crashes frequently, and the Windows Event Viewer reports an EXCEL.EXE failure in ntdll.dll with exception code 0xc0000374, indicating heap corruption.
Ensure you have saved all active work and closed other background applications. You will need Microsoft 365 administrator privileges to submit the required support tickets and event logs.
Open a Microsoft Support Ticket via Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Because exception code 0xc0000374 points to deep heap corruption, Microsoft Support must analyze the system event logs to pinpoint the exact root cause.
The ntdll.dll file is a core Windows component. When Excel crashes pointing to this module with a heap corruption code, the issue is often related to a complex interaction between the operating system environment, memory allocation, and Excel. Professional log analysis is highly recommended.
Navigate to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center in your browser and log in using your administrator credentials.
Go to the 'Support' section on the left-hand navigation menu and click on 'New service request'.
Describe the issue comprehensively. Explicitly mention 'ntdll.dll', 'EXCEL.EXE', and 'exception code 0xc0000374'.
When prompted by the support agent, upload the exported Windows Event Viewer application logs so the Microsoft engineering team can investigate the heap corruption.
Disable Add-ins and Update Office Applications
As a preliminary troubleshooting step, you can verify if a faulty third-party COM add-in is causing the memory conflict that leads to the crash.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable Spreadsheet Experience
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash due to complex system errors like ntdll.dll heap corruption, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable environment that avoids many legacy Office crash loops while keeping your workflow completely intact.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer.
- 2. Install the Application: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx files directly to resume your work without system crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does exception code 0xc0000374 mean in Excel?
Exception code 0xc0000374 indicates a heap corruption issue. This occurs when a program incorrectly handles computer memory allocation or overwrites memory structures, causing the application to crash abruptly to protect the system.
Is ntdll.dll a Microsoft Excel file?
No, ntdll.dll is a core Windows system file known as the NT Layer DLL. When Excel crashes pointing to this file, it usually means Excel or a third-party add-in made an invalid request to the Windows operating system.
How do I find the crash logs for Excel?
You can find crash logs by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting Event Viewer. Navigate to Windows Logs > Application, and look for 'Error' entries marked with the source 'Application Error' involving the EXCEL.EXE application.
Can I fix the ntdll.dll crash without contacting Microsoft support?
While basic troubleshooting like running Excel in Safe Mode, disabling COM add-ins, or running an Online Repair of Office might resolve surface-level conflicts, genuine heap corruption often requires deep system log analysis by Microsoft to identify and patch the exact root cause.
