Fix Excel Black Screen and Crash in Page Layout View
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where Microsoft Excel shows a black screen, unusual gridlines, and crashes when switching to Page Layout view during a remote desktop session.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel with remote desktop software
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is working in Excel's Page Layout view through a remote desktop application such as GoToMyPC and needs the display and stability restored.
- Observed behavior
- Excel turns black, renders unusual gridlines, and crashes when Page Layout view is used in the remote session.
Before troubleshooting, confirm whether the black screen and crash occur only during the remote desktop session, and note the Excel version, operating system, and remote desktop application such as GoToMyPC so you can isolate the cause.
Update Graphics Drivers and Disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration in Excel
Use this first when Excel shows black screens or crashes in Page Layout view during a remote desktop session, because remote rendering often depends on graphics drivers and hardware acceleration.
Remote desktop applications re-render the Excel workspace, so outdated graphics drivers or hardware acceleration can make Page Layout view unstable.
Disabling hardware graphics acceleration is a temporary Excel-side workaround; a permanent fix usually requires updating the graphics driver on both the host and the remote computer.
On the host computer and the remote computer, open Device Manager or the graphics vendor utility, find the display adapter, and install the latest driver update.
In Excel, go to File > Options > Advanced, then locate the Display section.
Select the Disable hardware graphics acceleration checkbox if it is available, then click OK.
Close and reopen Excel, switch to the View tab, click Page Layout, and confirm whether the black screen or crash is gone.
Test Excel Locally and Switch to a Different Remote Desktop Application
Use this to isolate whether the crash is caused by Excel or by the remote desktop software itself.
Update or Contact GoToMyPC Support and Review Host Graphics Settings
Use this when the crash occurs only through GoToMyPC or persists after local and driver troubleshooting.
Try WPS Office for More Stable Spreadsheet Page Layout Editing
If Microsoft Excel remains unstable in Page Layout view during remote desktop sessions, WPS Office is a free, lightweight Office alternative that opens and saves Excel files with familiar tools and less overhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel only turn black in Page Layout view during a remote desktop session?
Remote desktop software re-renders Excel through the host graphics driver. If the driver is outdated or hardware graphics acceleration is enabled, Page Layout view can render as a black screen and crash. Update the display driver on both computers and disable hardware graphics acceleration under File > Options > Advanced > Display.
Where is the Disable hardware graphics acceleration setting in Excel?
In Excel, go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll to the Display section, and check Disable hardware graphics acceleration if available. Click OK and restart Excel.
How do I know if GoToMyPC is causing the Excel Page Layout crash?
Test the same workbook directly on the host computer and through a different remote desktop application. If Excel is stable locally and in another remote tool but crashes only through GoToMyPC, update GoToMyPC and contact its support team.
Will WPS Office open the same Excel files if I switch from Microsoft Excel?
Yes, WPS Office opens and saves .xlsx workbooks with Microsoft Excel format compatibility, so you can continue using existing spreadsheets without converting them.
Do I need to update graphics drivers on both the host and remote computers?
Yes, update the graphics drivers on both the host computer being accessed and the remote computer you are using, because remote rendering depends on both sides.
