How to Fix Excel Freezing When Loading the Solver Add-In
Question details
The user experiences freezing issues in Microsoft Excel when loading the Solver.xlam add-in, getting stuck at a 'Connecting to printer' prompt.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Launching Microsoft Excel or activating the Solver data analysis add-in for a workbook.
- Observed behavior
- Excel freezes and hangs at the 'Connecting to printer' screen, completely preventing the workbook from opening or functioning normally.
Ensure you have saved all other open workbooks and force-closed any hanging instances of Excel using the Windows Task Manager before attempting to repair the software or change add-in settings.
Repair Your Microsoft Office Installation
Using the built-in Microsoft Office repair tool can fix corrupted program files that cause the Solver add-in to freeze upon loading.
A full online repair of Office is generally the most effective way to resolve persistent add-in loading errors and driver conflicts.
Open the Control Panel on your Windows computer, navigate to 'Programs', and select 'Programs and Features'.
Find your Microsoft Office installation in the list of programs, right-click it, and select 'Change'.
Choose 'Online Repair' (or 'Quick Repair' if you are offline) from the prompt and click 'Repair'. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Restart your computer, open Excel, and enable the Solver add-in to check if the freezing issue is resolved.
Temporarily Disable the Solver Add-in in Safe Mode
If Excel is entirely locked out, opening it in Safe Mode to disable the Solver add-in allows you to regain access to your workbooks.
Update or Change Default Printer Drivers
Since Excel hangs specifically on 'Connecting to printer' when the add-in loads, switching the default printer can bypass the underlying driver conflict.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Data Analysis Without the Freezes
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash or freeze when loading analytical add-ins, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with built-in data processing features, avoiding the cumbersome add-in errors and printer conflicts associated with standard Office installations.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx files to continue your data analysis without interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel freeze at 'Connecting to printer' when loading Solver?
Excel frequently queries the default printer's settings to determine page layout and margins when loading complex add-ins like Solver. If the default printer driver is outdated, unavailable, or corrupted, Excel gets stuck waiting for a response.
Will simply reinstalling the Solver add-in fix the problem?
Sometimes it helps. You can try disabling it via File > Options > Add-ins, restarting Excel, and enabling it again. However, if the root cause is a corrupted Office installation file or a faulty printer driver, a full Office repair is usually required.
Where is the Solver.xlam file located on my computer?
By default, the Solver.xlam file is located in your Microsoft Office installation folder, typically under C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office[Version]\Library\SOLVER\.
