Fix Microsoft Excel That Always Opens Workbooks in Safe Mode
Question details
Resolve an issue where Microsoft Excel repeatedly starts in Safe Mode and opens workbooks with reduced functionality.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Excel previously reported that it did not start correctly, and the user needs to return it to normal startup mode.
- Observed behavior
- Every workbook opens in Excel Safe Mode, indicating that an add-in, startup item, installation issue, or user-profile setting may be preventing normal startup.
Close all Excel windows before changing add-ins or repairing Office. Test more than one workbook first, because a single damaged file can behave differently from an application-wide startup problem.
Disable and isolate faulty Excel add-ins
Use this first when Excel can open in Safe Mode but returns to Safe Mode or fails during normal startup.
Excel Safe Mode commonly indicates that Excel disabled or is avoiding a startup component. Turning off all add-ins and restoring them one at a time can identify the component that causes the problem.
Press Windows+R, type excel /safe, and select OK to start Microsoft Excel in Safe Mode.
In Excel, select File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom, choose Excel Add-ins from the Manage list, select Go, clear all add-in check boxes, and select OK.
Return to File > Options > Add-ins. Choose COM Add-ins from the Manage list, select Go, clear all selected COM add-ins, and select OK.
Close Excel, then open it normally from the Start menu or a workbook file. If it starts normally, return to each Add-ins dialog and enable one add-in at a time, restarting Excel after each one.
When Excel returns to Safe Mode after an add-in is enabled, leave that add-in disabled and update, reinstall, or uninstall it through its vendor or Windows Settings > Apps.
Repair Office and check Excel startup settings
Use this when disabling add-ins does not stop Excel from opening in Safe Mode or when the issue affects every workbook.
Open and Edit Excel Workbooks Reliably with WPS Office
If Microsoft Excel continues to start in Safe Mode after troubleshooting, WPS Office is a free, lightweight office alternative with a familiar spreadsheet interface. It lets you seamlessly move to WPS Spreadsheets and continue working with your existing workbook files.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office Free on your Windows computer.
- 2. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and select Spreadsheets from the home screen.
- 3. Open the Excel workbook: Select Open, browse to the XLS or XLSX file that was opening in Excel Safe Mode, and choose Open.
- 4. Review workbook content: Check formulas, sheets, charts, and formatting, then make any needed edits in WPS Spreadsheets.
- 5. Save in an Excel-compatible format: Select Menu > Save As and choose Excel Workbook (*.xlsx) to preserve compatibility with Microsoft Excel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel keep opening in Safe Mode?
Excel may use Safe Mode after an unsuccessful startup caused by a faulty Excel or COM add-in, a startup folder item, damaged Office files, graphics acceleration, or a Windows user-profile issue.
How do I start Excel manually in Safe Mode?
Press Windows+R, enter excel /safe, and select OK. This starts Excel with many add-ins and custom startup settings disabled.
Where can I turn off Excel add-ins?
In Excel, go to File > Options > Add-ins. Select Excel Add-ins or COM Add-ins in the Manage list, choose Go, and clear the enabled add-in check boxes.
Will repairing Microsoft Office delete my Excel files?
No. Quick Repair and Online Repair repair the Office application installation, not your workbook files. You may need to sign in to Microsoft 365 again after an Online Repair.
What should I do if only one workbook opens in Safe Mode?
Open a blank workbook and other Excel files to compare results. If the issue occurs with only one file, inspect that workbook for damaged content, external links, macros, or embedded add-ins.
