Power Query Problems

Fix Excel Crashes When Loading or Refreshing Power Query

Amos Gikunda Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users experience Excel crashing when trying to load or refresh Power Query results in newer Microsoft 365 versions.

How to Fix Excel Crashes When Loading or Refreshing Power Query

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to load or refresh Power Query data into an Excel workbook.
Observed behavior: Excel unexpectedly crashes during the load or refresh process in version 2407, whereas editing queries works without any issues.

Before you start

Save your current workbook and ensure all Microsoft Office applications are completely closed before attempting to roll back or update your software.

Solution 1Recommended

Roll Back Microsoft Office to a Stable Build

Since the crash is caused by a version-specific bug in the 2407 update, rolling back to version 2403 (build 16.0.17425.20176) provides an immediate and reliable workaround.

This method uses the Office Click-to-Run client to safely downgrade your Office installation to an earlier build where Power Query is known to work properly.

Close All Office Applications

Ensure that Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and any other Office applications are entirely closed.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Click the Windows Start menu, type 'cmd', right-click on 'Command Prompt', and select 'Run as administrator'.

Execute the Rollback Command

Type or paste the following command into the terminal window and press Enter: `"C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17425.20176`

Wait for the Downgrade to Complete

An Office update window will appear and download the previous version. Once completed, reopen Excel and test your Power Query refresh.

Roll Back Microsoft Office to a Stable Build

Disable Automatic Updates: To prevent Excel from automatically updating back to the buggy version overnight, open Excel, go to File > Account > Update Options, and click 'Disable Updates' until Microsoft releases a permanent fix.

Solution 2

Check for and Install the Latest Office Updates

Microsoft frequently releases patches to address known crashing bugs. Before attempting a rollback, check if a newer version has already resolved the Power Query issue.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Stable Spreadsheet Experience

If Microsoft Excel continues to crash or you are frustrated by disruptive update bugs, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for everyday spreadsheet management, featuring a familiar UI and seamless data processing capabilities.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
2. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, which serves as a powerful alternative to Microsoft Excel.
3. Import Your Data: Open your existing .xlsx files directly in WPS to continue analyzing your data smoothly and without unexpected crashes.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteExcellent compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats and featuresStable performance without frequent bug-inducing background updatesFamiliar user interface ensuring seamless migration and zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel crash only when refreshing Power Query, but not when editing?

The crash is often tied to specific memory execution faults that occur when Excel attempts to render or load the refreshed dataset into the worksheet. The Power Query Editor itself runs in a separate window and may bypass the specific bug present in the spreadsheet rendering engine of version 2407.

Will rolling back Office delete my Excel files or queries?

No, rolling back your Office version using the Click-to-Run client only changes the application software. Your saved Excel workbooks, underlying data, and built queries will remain completely untouched and secure.

How do I re-enable Office updates once the Power Query bug is fixed?

Once Microsoft announces a permanent fix for the Power Query refresh issue, you can re-enable updates by opening Excel, clicking File > Account, clicking Update Options, and selecting 'Enable Updates'.

Excel & Data Problems