VBA & Macro Problems

How to Fix a VBA Macro Suddenly Running Very Slow in Excel

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing severe performance degradation with an Excel VBA macro that previously ran normally for over a year, particularly when modifying approximately 20,000 rows.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Running a large-scale data modification macro in Excel after a recent software update.
Observed behavior: The VBA macro executes extremely slowly compared to its historical performance, a problem that is triggered by a recent Microsoft 365/Office update.

Before you start

Before attempting to roll back your Office installation, verify that you have administrative privileges on your computer and locate the specific build number of the previous stable release.

Solution 1Recommended

Roll Back Microsoft Office to a Previous Version

Use this method if the macro slowdown started immediately after a recent Microsoft 365 or Office update, as newer builds can sometimes introduce bugs affecting VBA execution speeds.

Recent updates to Microsoft 365 can occasionally introduce compatibility or execution bugs that severely impact VBA speeds. Rolling back the entire Office suite to a known stable prior release (such as the June release) using the Click-to-Run update command is a proven way to restore normal macro performance.

Disable Automatic Updates

Open Excel, navigate to File > Account > Update Options, and click 'Disable Updates' to prevent Office from immediately reinstalling the problematic version after you roll back.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

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

Navigate to the Click-to-Run Folder

In the Command Prompt window, type `cd %programfiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun` and press Enter.

Execute the Rollback Command

Type `officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.xxxxx.xxxxx` (replacing the 'x's with the specific build number of the previous stable release) and press Enter to initiate the rollback process.

Applies to the Entire Suite: This rollback procedure reverts the entire Office application suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) to the older version, not just Excel.

Solution 2

Optimize the VBA Code

Apply fundamental VBA optimization techniques to minimize application overhead, which can bypass performance drops.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Smooth and Stable Macro Execution

If Microsoft Office updates frequently disrupt your workflow and slow down your scripts, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly stable environment that fully supports .xlsm formats and VBA macros without unexpected performance drops.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office from the official website on your device.
2. Open Your Macro File: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, click File > Open, and select your .xlsm file to seamlessly load your data and macros.
3. Run the Macro: Navigate to the Developer tab to manage, edit, or execute your VBA macros with optimal performance.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel macro-enabled formats (.xlsm)Lightweight architecture ensuring fast execution even when modifying thousands of rowsFamiliar user interface requiring zero learning curveStable update cycles that preserve your VBA script performance

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my VBA macro suddenly become slow?

A sudden drop in VBA performance is usually caused by a recent Office update that introduced compatibility issues or execution bugs. It can also happen if the workbook accumulates excessive conditional formatting or complex formulas as data grows.

Will rolling back Office affect my personal files or data?

No, rolling back the Office installation only modifies the application software version. Your personal Excel files, macros, and underlying data will remain completely untouched and intact.

How long should I keep automatic Office updates disabled?

It is generally recommended to keep automatic updates disabled for a few weeks to a couple of months, allowing Microsoft enough time to acknowledge the VBA performance issue and release a stable patch.

Excel & Data Problems