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How to Fix Excel Crashing During Power Query Refresh
Question details
The user is experiencing persistent crashes in Microsoft Excel whenever they attempt to refresh data using Power Query across multiple workbooks.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Refreshing data queries in multiple workbooks using Power Query.
- Observed behavior
- Excel repeatedly crashes or displays error codes, such as 30183-27 (400), during the data refresh process.
Save your work, close any background applications to free up system memory, and check your current Office version (32-bit or 64-bit) under File > Account > About Excel before troubleshooting.
Upgrade to the 64-bit Version of Microsoft Office
A 32-bit Office installation has strict memory limits, which frequently cause Power Query to crash when processing large datasets. Switching to 64-bit resolves these memory bottlenecks.
If you are working with large data models or multiple complex queries, the 32-bit version of Excel can quickly exceed its 2GB memory limit, leading to immediate crashes during a refresh.
Open Windows Settings, go to Apps, find your Microsoft Office installation, and select Uninstall to remove the 32-bit version.
Log in to your Microsoft account online, navigate to your Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and explicitly select the 64-bit version for download.
Run the newly downloaded installer. Once finished, open Excel, go to File > Account > About Excel to confirm your installation now says 64-bit.
Perform an Online Repair for Office
Corrupted installation files or damaged registry keys can cause Power Query features to fail. Running the Online Repair tool can replace these damaged files.
Roll Back to a Previous Office Update
If Power Query started crashing immediately after a recent Microsoft 365 update, reverting to a stable previous version can serve as a temporary fix.
Try WPS Office for a Stable and Lightweight Spreadsheet Experience
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash or struggles with your data workflows, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for handling spreadsheets without the heavy resource usage of Microsoft 365.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the software: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open your Excel files: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsx workbooks directly without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Power Query keep crashing Excel?
Power Query can crash Excel if it exceeds the memory limits of a 32-bit Office installation, if the Office installation files are corrupted, if there is interference from third-party add-ins, or due to bugs introduced in recent Office updates.
How do I fix Microsoft Office error 30183-27 (400)?
Error 30183-27 (400) typically occurs during failed Office updates or rollbacks, especially on enterprise or education editions. To resolve it, completely uninstall Office using the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant, restart your PC, and perform a clean reinstallation.
How can I check if my Excel is 32-bit or 64-bit?
Open Microsoft Excel, click on 'File' in the top left corner, select 'Account', and then click the 'About Excel' button. The bitness (32-bit or 64-bit) will be listed at the end of the version number string in the newly opened dialog window.
