Office Apps Crashing

Fix Microsoft Access Crashes When Filtering Linked Tables

John Wilson Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to resolve unexpected application crashes associated with exception 0xc0000005 in Microsoft Access.

How to Fix Microsoft Access Crashing When Filtering Linked Tables

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Filtering queries that are connected to tables in other Access databases over a local network.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Access unexpectedly closes or displays an error code (exception 0xc0000005) when applying a filter to the linked query.

Before you start

Ensure you have created a secure backup copy of your original Access database and temporarily stop other users from querying the database to prevent data corruption.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Minimal Reproducible Test Database

Isolating the problematic query in a clean database helps determine if the crash is caused by specific data corruption or an underlying application bug.

A common troubleshooting step for exception 0xc0000005 is to separate the failing query from complex database structures. By creating a minimal environment, you can accurately document the failure for support teams.

Create a blank database

Open Microsoft Access and create a completely new, blank database file.

Link a single table

Use the External Data tab to link exactly one table from your networked Access database.

Recreate the query

Build a single query connected to the linked table and apply the exact filtering method that previously caused the crash.

Document the crash behavior

Execute the query. Record the exact SQL string, the size of the tables involved, and note whether Access displays a specific error dialog or abruptly closes to the desktop.

Create a Minimal Reproducible Test Database

Sanitizing Data: If you plan to send this test database to support, be sure to remove or obfuscate any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) before sharing.

Solution 2

Repair Microsoft Office and Test on Another Computer

Running an Office repair and testing the database on a different machine rules out corrupted local application files or device-specific network issues.

Solution 3

Report the Issue to Microsoft Support

If the crash is reproducible on multiple computers, the issue likely requires a product fix from the Microsoft Access development team.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience High Stability with WPS Office

While WPS Office does not offer a direct database replacement for Microsoft Access, if you are experiencing frequent crashes and performance issues across your Microsoft Office suite, it may be time to try a more reliable daily driver for your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install the suite: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation prompts to set up WPS Office on your computer.
3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files to enjoy a stable editing experience.

Highly stable application environment that prevents unexpected crashesFull format compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPointLightweight installation that consumes fewer system resourcesFree to download with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What does exception 0xc0000005 mean in Microsoft Access?

Exception 0xc0000005 generally indicates an 'Access Violation' error in Windows. In Microsoft Access, it means the application attempted to read or write to a protected memory address, often caused by software bugs, corrupted database components, or unstable network connections during complex data processing.

Why does Access crash only when filtering tables over a network?

Filtering linked tables forces Access to fetch and process data remotely. If there is a slight network interruption, a packet drop, or a bug in how Access manages memory for network queries, the application can fail to process the filter correctly, resulting in an abrupt crash.

How do I sanitize an Access database before sending it to support?

Create a copy of the database and delete all forms, reports, and queries that are not related to the crash. In the remaining tables, use an update query to replace sensitive text with generic dummy data while maintaining the exact table structure, field data types, and rough record count.

Office App Problems