Power Query Problems

Fix Excel Power Query Queries Stuck on Loading

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to resolve an issue where Excel Power Query queries remain on the Loading state indefinitely without completing the data fetch.

How to Fix Excel Power Query Stuck on Loading

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Refreshing external data or running connection-only queries in Excel using Power Query.
Observed behavior: The query status gets stuck on 'Loading' forever, even when dealing with a very small number of rows or simple connection-only queries.

Before you start

Save a backup of your current workbook and ensure your internet or network connection is stable, as interruptions can sometimes cause external data queries to hang.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Data Source Credentials and Check Privacy Levels

Invalid credentials or strict privacy level conflicts can cause queries to hang silently. Resetting them forces Power Query to re-authenticate properly.

Power Query requires valid permissions to access external databases, web sources, or files. If your password has changed or privacy settings between different data sources conflict, the query engine may freeze on the loading screen instead of displaying an error.

Open Data Source Settings

Open your Excel workbook, navigate to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon, click on 'Get Data', and select 'Data Source Settings'.

Clear Existing Permissions

In the Global permissions tab, select the problematic data source and click 'Clear Permissions' (or 'Clear All Permissions' to reset everything).

Adjust Privacy Levels

Go to 'Data' > 'Get Data' > 'Query Options'. Under Current Workbook > Privacy, select 'Ignore the Privacy Levels and potentially improve performance' for testing purposes.

Refresh and Re-authenticate

Close the settings menu and click 'Refresh All'. Promptly enter your correct credentials when the authentication window appears.

Clear Data Source Credentials and Check Privacy Levels

Privacy Settings Warning: Ignoring privacy levels is useful for troubleshooting, but you should configure proper organizational or public privacy levels later to maintain data security.

Solution 2

Disable Background Refresh

Turning off background refresh forces Excel to process queries sequentially, which often resolves conflicts that cause the loading process to hang.

Solution 3

Update Microsoft 365 to Fix Regression Bugs

Infinite loading issues in Power Query can sometimes be attributed to product regressions or bugs in a specific Microsoft Office build.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Data Management

If Excel's Power Query is slowing you down with endless loading screens due to Microsoft 365 build bugs or heavy resource usage, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, fast, and highly compatible alternative for analyzing and managing your spreadsheet data.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button to get the free installer.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions for a quick installation.
3. Open Your Workbooks: Open your existing .xlsx files directly in WPS Spreadsheet and enjoy smooth data management.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsLightweight installation that runs fast on any computerFamiliar user interface for a seamless, zero-learning-curve migrationFree to use with powerful built-in data processing tools

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Power Query say 'Loading' but nothing happens?

This usually happens when Excel encounters an underlying authentication error, a data-source privacy level conflict, or an unresolved dependency that prevents the connection from successfully fetching the data.

How do I clear the Power Query cache in Excel?

Navigate to Data > Get Data > Query Options. In the Global section on the left, select 'Data Load' and click on the 'Clear Cache' button to remove temporary cached data.

Can third-party add-ins cause Power Query to freeze?

Yes, certain heavy or outdated COM add-ins can interfere with Excel's background data processing. You can test this by disabling unnecessary add-ins via File > Options > Add-ins.

Excel & Data Problems