Power Query Problems

How to Fix Excel White Screen After Refreshing Data in Power Query

Maira Mehtab Sep 24, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user experiences a blank white screen in Excel when running a macro or using the Refresh All function. A prompt requesting a privacy level for data sources appears after manually closing the frozen white window.

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Running a macro or refreshing Power Query data connections using Refresh All.
Observed behavior: Excel freezes on a white screen. When the window is closed, a message appears stating: Information is needed to combine data. Specify a privacy level for each data source.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary credentials for all connected data sources, and save a backup of your workbook before stepping through macro code or changing global privacy settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Power Query Privacy Levels

Resolve the hidden prompt causing the white screen by pre-configuring the privacy levels for your connected data sources.

Excel often displays a white screen when a hidden dialogue box, such as a Power Query privacy prompt, is waiting for user input in the background. Pre-setting these permissions prevents the dialogue box from interrupting the refresh process.

Access Query Options

Open your Excel workbook and navigate to the Data tab on the ribbon. Click on Get Data and select Query Options.

Navigate to Privacy Settings

In the Query Options window, look under the Global or Current Workbook section on the left panel and click on Privacy.

Adjust Privacy Levels

If you trust all data sources and are not handling sensitive external data, select 'Always ignore Privacy Level settings'. Alternatively, manually set the privacy level (Public, Organizational, or Private) for each specific data source.

Apply and Refresh

Click OK to save your changes, then try running the Refresh All action or your macro again.

Security Warning: Only ignore privacy levels if you completely trust all connected data sources, as this allows data to be combined across potentially unsecured connections.

Solution 2

Debug the Macro Step-by-Step

Identify the exact line of VBA code triggering the data refresh and the subsequent white screen.

Solution 3

Compare Excel Security Settings

Since the file works on other computers, aligning local Excel settings can resolve configuration conflicts causing the freeze.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel show a white screen when I click Refresh All?

This typically happens when Excel opens a hidden dialogue box, such as a Power Query privacy level prompt, in the background. The main Excel application freezes its display while waiting for your input on the prompt you cannot see.

How do I stop Power Query from asking for privacy levels?

You can disable these prompts by navigating to Data > Get Data > Query Options. Under the Privacy tab, select 'Always ignore Privacy Level settings'. It is highly recommended to use this option only if all your data sources are trusted.

Why does my Excel macro work on one computer but cause a white screen on another?

This usually indicates a difference in local Excel configurations. The computer experiencing the white screen may have stricter Trust Center settings, different Power Query privacy defaults, or pending Office updates that change how background data refreshes are handled.

Excel & Data Problems