Office Performance Issues

Fix Microsoft Access Database Opening Slowly After Update

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 872 views

Question details

Large Microsoft Access databases (e.g., around 50 MB) take significantly longer to open, delaying startup to over 60 seconds instead of the normal 2 to 3 seconds.

Product: Microsoft Access (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening a large Access database file after installing the September Microsoft 365 update (Version 2408).
Observed behavior: The database takes over 60 seconds to load, and holding the Shift key to prevent startup code from running does not resolve the delay.

Before you start

Verify your exact Office version and build number by navigating to File > Account in Access, as this issue is tied to specific recent builds like Version 2408.

Solution 1Recommended

Install the Latest Microsoft 365 Bug Fix Update

Apply the official patch released by Microsoft to address this specific known bug in Access database loading.

Microsoft identified the slow loading time for Access databases as a known bug introduced in the Version 2408 update. A hotfix has since been released to restore normal loading speeds.

Uninstalling and reinstalling the same buggy version of Microsoft 365 will not fix the issue; you must ensure the application pulls the newest patched build.

Open Microsoft Access

Launch Microsoft Access on your computer.

Navigate to Account Information

Click on 'File' in the top left corner of the ribbon, then select 'Account' from the left-hand menu.

Check for Updates

Under Product Information, click the 'Update Options' button and select 'Update Now' from the dropdown menu to download and install the latest bug fix.

Update Successful: Once updated, restart your computer and open your database to verify the loading time has returned to 2-3 seconds.

Solution 2

Roll Back to a Previous Office Build (Version 2406)

Revert your Microsoft 365 installation to a stable previous version (like Build 17726.20126) if the latest patch is unavailable for your update channel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Access database suddenly taking so long to open?

If your database recently started taking over a minute to load, it is likely due to a known bug introduced in the Microsoft 365 Version 2408 update. Microsoft has since acknowledged this issue and released a patch.

Does holding the Shift key bypass the slow loading issue in Access?

No. While holding the Shift key during database startup prevents macros and startup code from running, it does not bypass core application loading delays caused by the Microsoft 365 update bug.

Where can I find my exact Microsoft Access version and build number?

To find your true build number, open Microsoft Access, click 'File', and select 'Account'. The exact version and build number will be listed under the 'About Access' section in Product Information.

Will reinstalling Microsoft 365 fix the slow Access database issue?

Reinstalling the software generally will not fix the issue if you are reinstalling the exact same buggy version (Version 2408). You must either manually update to a newly patched build or revert to an older stable build (like Version 2406).

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