How to Fix Power Query .NET Framework Configuration Error in Excel
Question details
The user is encountering a .NET Framework configuration issue preventing Excel Power Query from operating correctly.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Launching or refreshing data queries using Power Query in Excel.
- Observed behavior
- Excel fails to execute the query and displays the error message 'Unable to retrieve configuration section system.web/httpRuntime'.
Ensure you are logged into Windows with an Administrator account, as troubleshooting and repairing the .NET Framework requires system-level permissions.
Run the Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool
Use Microsoft's official automated utility to detect and automatically resolve common .NET Framework corruption issues.
This tool diagnoses and fixes issues with the .NET Framework setup or updates, which is often the quickest way to resolve the system.web/httpRuntime configuration error in Power Query.
Visit the official Microsoft Support website and download the .NET Framework Repair Tool.
Double-click the downloaded executable file and grant it administrative privileges to run.
Follow the on-screen wizard instructions. Allow the tool to apply its recommended changes, and then restart your computer.
Verify and Manually Reinstall the .NET Framework
If the automated repair fails, manually check your framework version via the Windows Registry and reinstall the required update.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Spreadsheet Experience
If complex .NET Framework dependencies and persistent Microsoft Excel errors are disrupting your work, WPS Office provides a lightweight, reliable, and completely free alternative for your data management needs.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your device.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the straightforward setup instructions.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and immediately open your existing Excel workbooks to resume working without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Power Query trigger a .NET Framework configuration error?
Power Query relies extensively on the Windows .NET Framework to run its data extraction and transformation engines. If the framework is corrupted or misconfigured, Excel cannot read necessary configuration sections like system.web/httpRuntime, causing the query to fail.
How do I determine which version of .NET Framework my Excel requires?
The specific version depends on your Office release (e.g., Office 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365). You can check Microsoft's official system requirements for your version, and verify what is currently installed via the Registry Editor path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP.
Will simply reinstalling Microsoft Office fix this Power Query issue?
Typically, no. The .NET Framework is an independent Windows operating system component, not just a part of Microsoft Office. Reinstalling Office will not resolve the framework's internal registry or configuration damage; you must repair the framework directly.
