Update & Upgrade Problems

Fix Word Spell Check and Excel Freeze Panes Not Working After Update

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are experiencing unresponsive commands in Word and Excel, specifically the Spell Check in Word and Freeze Panes in Excel, following the January 2025 Microsoft 365 Apps update.

Product: Microsoft Word and Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to use the Spell Check feature or Freeze Panes functionality after a recent Office update.
Observed behavior: The commands are visible in the toolbar, but clicking them has no effect and they fail to execute.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all open documents and checked your internet connection before checking for new updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Install the Latest Microsoft 365 Updates

Microsoft frequently releases follow-up patches to fix bugs introduced in previous updates. Checking for the latest build can resolve unresponsive commands.

The issue where Spell Check and Freeze Panes stop responding has been closely associated with the January 2025 update release for Windows. Microsoft typically addresses these known issues in subsequent minor updates.

Open your Office Application

Launch either Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel on your Windows computer.

Navigate to Account Settings

Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select 'Account' from the bottom left menu.

Update Now

Under the Product Information section, click on 'Update Options' and select 'Update Now' from the dropdown menu to download and install the latest fixes.

Check Release Notes: If the issue persists, review the Microsoft 365 release notes for your specific channel to see if a permanent fix has been rolled out.

Solution 2

Verify Excel View Settings for Freeze Panes

Ensure you are using the correct view mode, as the Freeze Panes command only functions within the standard worksheet view.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Stable, Bug-Free Experience

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your Windows PC.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Open Your Files Seamlessly: Double-click your existing Word and Excel documents to open them in WPS Office and continue working with fully functional spell check and freeze panes.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteHighly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formatsStable performance without disruptive background updates breaking core featuresFamiliar tabbed interface for a seamless transition

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Freeze Panes stop working in Excel?

This is often caused by a software bug introduced during a Microsoft 365 update (such as the January 2025 release). Alternatively, it may happen if you are currently using the 'Page Layout' view instead of the 'Normal' worksheet view.

How do I repeat rows when printing if Freeze Panes doesn't work?

Freeze Panes only affects the on-screen display. To repeat rows on printed output, go to the 'Page Layout' tab, select 'Print Titles', and use the 'Rows to repeat at top' field within the Page Setup dialog box.

Can I roll back my Microsoft Office update to fix this?

Yes, if a new update breaks core features, you can temporarily disable automatic updates and use the Office Deployment Tool to roll back to the previous stable version until Microsoft releases a verified patch.

Installation & Activation