Office Apps Freezing

Fix Microsoft Office Freezing on Startup After Version 2403 Update

Elise Williams Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users experience an application freeze when launching Microsoft 365 apps following the version 2403 update, typically caused by COM or VSTO add-in conflicts.

How to Fix Microsoft Office Freezing on Startup After Version 2403 Update

Product: Microsoft 365 Apps
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Launching an Office application such as Word or Excel after receiving the recent version 2403 software update.
Observed behavior: The Office application completely freezes during the startup screen when attempting to load a COM or VSTO add-in.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, try launching your Office applications in Safe Mode to temporarily bypass all add-ins and confirm if a COM or VSTO add-in is the root cause of the freezing.

Solution 1Recommended

Submit a Support Request via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Since this is a known version-specific update issue, contacting Microsoft Support through your IT administrator is the most effective path to an official resolution.

Because this problem began specifically after updating to version 2403, it requires attention from Microsoft's technical team. Individual users should escalate this to their organizational IT department.

Identify your IT Administrator

Locate your Microsoft 365 administrator or IT department contact within your organization.

Access the Admin Center

Ask your administrator to log into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center using their administrative credentials.

Create a New Service Request

Navigate to 'Support' in the left-hand menu and select 'New service request'.

Provide Detailed Information

Include the current Office version (2403 or later), details of the specific add-in causing the freeze, and mention that version 2402 does not exhibit this problem.

Submit a Support Request via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Admin Access Required: Only users with Microsoft 365 Administrator privileges can access the Admin Center to open a support ticket.

Solution 2

Disable the Conflicting COM or VSTO Add-in

If you need immediate access to your Office applications, you can start the program in Safe Mode and manually disable the problematic add-in.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Lightweight and Stable Experience

If Microsoft Office updates continue to cause freezing and disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, add-in-friendly environment that is completely free and fast to launch.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions.
2. Open Your Existing Files: Double-click your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open them directly in WPS Office.
3. Work Seamlessly: Edit and save your documents with high compatibility, avoiding complex add-in update conflicts entirely.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Lightweight architecture ensures fast startup times without add-in freezes.Familiar user interface requires zero learning curve for seamless migration.Completely free all-in-one suite for managing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Office app freeze specifically after the version 2403 update?

The version 2403 update introduced internal changes to how Microsoft 365 Apps handle certain COM and VSTO add-ins during the startup process, leading to compatibility conflicts that cause the application to hang.

How can I find out who my Microsoft 365 Administrator is?

If you are using a work or school account, your administrator is usually your IT support team. You can check your account settings online via office.com or reach out to your HR or IT department for contact information.

Will rolling back to Office version 2402 fix the freezing issue?

Yes, because the freezing issue is isolated to version 2403 and later updates. Reverting your Office installation to version 2402 can temporarily resolve the startup freeze until Microsoft releases an official patch.

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