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How to Fix White Excel and Word 2021 Icons in Windows
Question details
The user needs to restore the original application icons for Microsoft Excel and Word 2021, which are appearing as blank white icons after reinstalling the software.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2021
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Reinstalling Microsoft Office or updating the software
- Observed behavior
- Excel and Word 2021 shortcuts and executable files display as blank white icons instead of the standard application logos.
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Windows computer and that your internet connection is stable before attempting an online repair.
Run an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
Using the built-in Windows repair tool is the safest and most effective way to restore missing Microsoft Office application icons.
The Online Repair tool will scan your Microsoft Office installation for missing or corrupted files, including broken application icons, and replace them with fresh copies directly from Microsoft's servers.
Press the Windows key, type 'Installed apps' (or 'Apps & features' on older Windows versions), and press Enter.
Scroll through the list of installed applications and locate your Microsoft Office 2021 installation.
Click the three-dot menu icon next to Microsoft Office and select 'Modify'.
Select 'Online Repair' from the prompt window and click 'Repair'. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete.
Rebuild the Windows Icon Cache
If repairing Office does not resolve the issue, the Windows icon cache itself may be corrupted and needs to be rebuilt manually.
Avoid Installation and Icon Glitches with WPS Office
Tired of dealing with missing icons, corrupted installations, and complex repair tools? WPS Office is a lightweight, fully-featured office suite that installs in seconds and provides a highly stable environment for all your document needs without the typical OS conflicts.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the WPS Office website and download the free installer for Windows.
- 2. Install in Seconds: Run the setup file and complete the one-click installation process without dealing with complex configurations.
- 3. Open and Edit Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word or Excel documents with perfect formatting preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Excel and Word 2021 icons turn white?
White icons typically occur when the Windows icon cache becomes corrupted, or when registry paths linking to the application icons are broken. This often happens after an interrupted software update, a system crash, or during the reinstallation of Microsoft Office.
Will running an Online Repair delete my Office documents?
No. Running an Online Repair for Microsoft Office only scans and replaces the core installation files and registry keys. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and local settings are entirely safe and will not be affected.
Can I manually change the white icon back to the Excel or Word logo?
Yes. You can right-click the white shortcut, select 'Properties', go to the 'Shortcut' tab, and click 'Change Icon'. From there, click 'Browse' and navigate to your Office installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16) to select the correct EXCEL.EXE or WINWORD.EXE file, though rebuilding the cache is often a more permanent fix.
Does Quick Repair fix missing icons as effectively as Online Repair?
A Quick Repair generally checks for basic file corruption without needing an internet connection, but it may not always restore missing icons. An Online Repair is much more thorough as it essentially redownloads and reinstalls fresh copies of the application files.
