Fix Excel COM Add-Ins Disappearing After Office 365 Update
Question details
The user needs to restore COM add-ins that disappear from the Excel ribbon despite being listed as loaded in the settings.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel (Office 365)
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Using Excel after a recent Office 365 update or after closing all active Excel windows.
- Observed behavior
- Excel COM add-ins remain listed as loaded in the settings menu, but they completely disappear from the ribbon after all Excel windows are closed.
Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows computer, as modifying registry entries and running an Office Online Repair requires elevated system access.
Update Office 365 and Run an Online Repair
Installing the latest Office builds and repairing installation files can resolve bugs introduced by recent updates.
Open Excel, navigate to File > Account, click on Update Options, and select Update Now to ensure you have the latest patches.
Press the Windows key, type 'Control Panel', and navigate to Programs > Programs and Features.
Right-click on your Microsoft Office 365 installation, select Change, choose Online Repair, and follow the on-screen prompts.
Restart your computer after the repair finishes and launch Excel to verify if the COM add-ins persist on the ribbon.
Verify COM Add-In Registry Entries
Checking the Windows Registry ensures that the add-in registration keys were not corrupted during the Office update.
Check for Hanging Excel Processes and Disabled Items
A stuck background Excel process might prevent add-ins from loading correctly upon the next launch.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable and Lightweight Experience
If Office 365 updates frequently disrupt your workflow with disappearing add-ins and ribbon issues, consider trying WPS Office. It provides a stable, highly compatible, and user-friendly alternative to Microsoft Excel without the heavy background processes.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick setup guide to install WPS Spreadsheet on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Double-click any existing Excel file to open it seamlessly in WPS Office without losing your formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Excel COM add-ins say loaded but don't show on the ribbon?
This often happens due to background Excel processes failing to close properly, a corrupted registry key (LoadBehavior), or a known bug introduced in recent Office 365 updates.
How do I force a COM add-in to show in the Excel ribbon?
Go to File > Options > Add-ins, manage COM Add-ins, and uncheck then recheck the desired add-in. If it still fails, changing the LoadBehavior value to 3 in the Registry may force it to display.
Does repairing Office 365 delete my files or add-ins?
No, running an Online Repair from the Windows Control Panel only fixes corrupted Office installation files and resets system configurations. Your personal documents and installed add-ins remain safe.
