Office Apps Freezing

Fix Excel 2016 Hanging When Opening Password-Protected Files

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

Excel 2016 becomes completely unresponsive on the startup screen specifically when attempting to open password-protected workbooks.

Product: Excel 2016
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Opening existing or newly created password-protected spreadsheet files.
Observed behavior: The application gets stuck on the 'Starting' screen indefinitely. The issue temporarily clears after a system restart but eventually returns.

Before you start

Before beginning the troubleshooting steps, ensure your operating system and Microsoft Office installation are fully updated to the latest builds, as this can resolve underlying compatibility bugs.

Solution 1Recommended

Open Excel in Safe Mode and Disable COM Add-ins

Running Excel in Safe Mode bypasses third-party add-ins, helping you identify if an extension is causing the application to hang when decrypting files.

COM add-ins often interact directly with file opening processes. If an add-in is incompatible with encrypted files, it can cause the entire application to stall at the Starting screen.

Launch Safe Mode

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type 'excel /safe' and press Enter.

Test the File

Attempt to open the password-protected workbook from within the Safe Mode window by going to File > Open.

Access Add-in Settings

If the file opens successfully, go to File > Options > Add-ins.

Disable COM Add-ins

At the bottom of the window, change the Manage dropdown to 'COM Add-ins' and click 'Go'.

Apply and Restart

Uncheck all listed add-ins, click OK, and restart Excel normally to verify the fix.

Identifying the Culprit: If the issue is resolved after disabling all add-ins, re-enable them one by one, restarting Excel each time, to isolate the specific add-in causing the freeze.

Solution 2

Perform an Office Online Repair

If core Office files responsible for handling encryption are corrupted, an Online Repair will download and reinstall the necessary components to restore functionality.

Solution 3

Save and Open Locally to Bypass Sync Conflicts

Cloud storage sync clients or network drive latency can interrupt the authentication prompt for protected files, leading to a freeze.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Open Password-Protected Files Smoothly with WPS Office

If Excel 2016 continues to hang or crash when handling encrypted files on Windows 11, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible environment to securely open, manage, and edit password-protected spreadsheets without frustrating freezes.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your Windows PC.
2. Open Spreadsheets: Launch the WPS Office suite and click on 'Spreadsheets' from the main dashboard.
3. Access Your File: Click 'Open', browse to your password-protected Excel file, and select it.
4. Enter Password: Input your password in the secure prompt to instantly access and edit your data without hanging.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv)Seamlessly opens password-protected and encrypted workbooks without stallingLightweight architecture ensures fast startup times even on older PCsFree to use with a familiar, user-friendly interface for zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel 2016 only hang on password-protected files?

Password-protected files cannot be read or previewed by background services until unlocked. Antivirus software, search indexers, or COM add-ins often try to scan the file upon opening. Because it is encrypted, they get stuck trying to read it, causing the entire Excel application to hang.

Does restarting the computer permanently fix the Excel hanging issue?

No. While restarting your Windows 11 PC clears the memory and temporarily stops the conflicting background processes (allowing the file to open once or twice), the issue will likely return. You need to investigate add-ins, perform a repair, or check antivirus settings for a permanent fix.

Can I remove a password from an Excel file to prevent it from freezing?

Yes, if you can get the file to open (e.g., via Safe Mode or on another computer). Once open, go to File > Info > Protect Workbook > Encrypt with Password. Clear the contents of the password field, click OK, and save the file.

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