Fix Power Query Freezing When Importing CSV from FTP in Excel
Question details
Excel Power Query stops responding when attempting to load CSV files from an FTP folder.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Importing CSV data into Excel via Power Query using a remote FTP connection.
- Observed behavior
- Power Query hangs and stops responding during the load process, even though the main Excel application does not crash. Changing file encoding only results in a partial preview load before hanging.
Verify that your FTP server is fully operational and that the CSV files are intact by attempting to download them directly using a standard FTP client or web browser.
Clear Data Source Permissions and Reconnect
Resetting the FTP connection permissions clears corrupted cached credentials and connection settings that may cause Power Query to hang during data retrieval.
Power Query saves connection credentials to speed up future imports. If the FTP server settings change or the cached token becomes corrupted, Power Query may get stuck in an endless loop trying to authenticate or read the stream, causing the interface to freeze.
In Excel, navigate to the Data tab on the top ribbon, click on Get Data, and select Data Source Settings.
In the Data Source Settings dialog, locate and click on your FTP connection in the list. Click the Clear Permissions button at the bottom (or Clear All Permissions to reset everything), then confirm the action.
Close the settings window. Go back to Data > Get Data > From File > From Text/CSV (or From Other Sources > From FTP) to set up the connection as a New Source.
Input your FTP address and credentials when prompted, then attempt to load the CSV file again.
Install the Latest Microsoft Office Updates
Updating Excel ensures you have the latest bug fixes related to Power Query data processing and FTP stability.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Data Management
If Excel's Power Query continues to freeze during complex FTP imports, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet application that effortlessly manages large datasets and CSV files without system slowdowns.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing Spreadsheet document.
- 2. Import Data: Navigate to the Data tab on the ribbon and click on Import Data.
- 3. Select CSV File: Choose your locally downloaded CSV file and follow the Text Import Wizard to load the data instantly without hanging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Power Query partially load the preview but then freeze?
This usually happens when there is a connection timeout with the remote FTP server or when the data stream is interrupted. Changing the encoding might force a partial read, but the background background connection remains hung trying to fetch the remaining rows.
Can the CSV file size cause Power Query to stop responding over FTP?
Yes. Attempting to stream and process very large CSV files directly over a slow or unstable FTP connection can cause Power Query to time out or appear frozen while it builds the local cache.
Where can I report this if the issue persists after troubleshooting?
If clearing permissions and updating Office does not fix the hang, you can post your connection details and provide sample files to the Microsoft Tech Community. Microsoft engineers frequently monitor these forums for reproducible bugs.
