Update & Upgrade Problems

Fix Microsoft Office Applications Stuck in an Update or Install Loop

Elise Williams Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are experiencing an issue where Microsoft Office programs are trapped in a continuous update or installation loop, often accompanied by a Microsoft Store error.

How to Fix Office Applications Stuck in an Update or Install Loop

Product: Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to launch, install, or update Office applications after a recent Microsoft system update.
Observed behavior: Office programs repeatedly attempt to install or update without success, and the Microsoft Store displays a 'something went wrong' error message.

Before you start

Before proceeding with reinstallation, verify whether any Office application (such as Excel) can still be launched directly from the Windows Start menu, and note down your exact Office version and any specific error codes displayed.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Office

Performing a clean uninstallation and reinstallation is the most effective way to break the update loop and restore functionality to your Office applications.

When Windows or Microsoft Store updates conflict with existing Office installation files, the system can get stuck in a loop trying to apply a patch that repeatedly fails. Reinstalling the software clears these corrupted temporary files.

Test application access

Click the Windows Start menu and type 'Excel' or 'Word'. Click the application icon to see if the program opens independently of the update installer.

Record error details

If the application fails to open and an error window appears, take a screenshot or write down the exact error message and code for your records.

Uninstall Microsoft Office

Open the Windows Settings app, navigate to 'Apps' > 'Installed apps' (or 'Apps & features'), locate your Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 installation in the list, click the three dots, and select 'Uninstall'.

Reinstall via Microsoft Account

Open your web browser, log into your Microsoft account, navigate to the 'Services & subscriptions' tab, and click 'Install' to download the latest Office installer. Run the downloaded file to perform a fresh installation.

Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Office

Use Official Support Tools: If standard uninstallation fails, you can download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool from Microsoft's official website to force a clean removal.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office While Resolving Your Installation Issues

If Microsoft Office is stuck in a frustrating update loop and you need to edit documents immediately, WPS Office provides a reliable, lightweight alternative. It installs in seconds without complex update dependencies and lets you get straight to work.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button for the free WPS Office suite.
2. Run the installer: Launch the downloaded installation file. The setup process is streamlined and finishes in just a few clicks.
3. Open your files: Open WPS Office and drag and drop your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly into the workspace to resume editing.

Installs quickly and avoids complex Windows update loopsFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats like .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxLightweight design that consumes minimal system storage and memoryFamiliar user interface requires no learning curve for Microsoft Office users

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Microsoft Store saying 'something went wrong' during the Office update?

This typically occurs when there is a synchronization conflict between a recent Windows update and the Microsoft Store cache, preventing the Office installation files from downloading or verifying correctly.

Will I lose my documents if I uninstall Microsoft Office to fix the update loop?

No, uninstalling Microsoft Office only removes the application files from your system. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations saved locally or on OneDrive will remain completely safe.

How can I find out my exact Office version if the app is stuck updating?

If you can still bypass the update loop to open an Office app from the Start menu, go to 'File' > 'Account'. Your exact version and build number will be listed under the Product Information section.

Installation & Activation