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Fix Office App Buttons Not Working in the Bottom-Right Corner
Question details
The user is unable to click or use the shortcut commands located in the bottom-right corner of Microsoft Office applications, such as the Slide Show view button in PowerPoint.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to use the quick access or view buttons located on the application's bottom-right status bar.
- Observed behavior
- The buttons on the bottom-right corner do not respond or appear completely frozen when clicked.
Close all running Office applications and check your Windows Update history to see if a recent system update or third-party installation might have triggered this UI freezing issue.
Perform an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
Running an Online Repair scans for and replaces corrupted Microsoft Office installation files that may cause the user interface and status bar buttons to freeze.
Click the Start button and select 'Settings' (the gear icon), then navigate to 'Apps' and click on 'Apps & features'.
Scroll through your installed applications to find your version of Microsoft Office. Click on it and select the 'Modify' button.
In the repair prompt window, select 'Online Repair' rather than 'Quick Repair' for a comprehensive fix. Click 'Repair' and wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer.
Reset Office Settings via Registry Editor
Renaming the Office registry key forces the application to create a fresh configuration profile, which often resolves unresponsiveness caused by corrupted settings.
Test with a New Local Windows Account
If the issue is specific to your Windows user profile, testing on a new local account can help isolate whether the Windows profile itself is corrupted.
Experience a Bug-Free and Responsive Office Suite with WPS Office
If Microsoft Office applications continue to freeze, require complex registry edits, or have unresponsive interface elements, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, robust, and highly compatible alternative without the heavy background services that often cause UI freezing.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the Application: Run the installer and complete the setup in just a few clicks.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office to instantly open, edit, and present your existing Microsoft Office files smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are only the bottom-right buttons in PowerPoint unresponsive?
The bottom-right status bar and its shortcut commands (like the Slide Show, Zoom, or Reading View buttons) can selectively freeze due to temporary UI glitches, outdated display drivers, or corrupted Microsoft Office user profile settings.
Will running an Online Repair delete my saved Office documents?
No. Running an Online Repair or a Quick Repair only replaces corrupted application files and resets program binaries. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations remain completely safe and untouched.
How do I start a PowerPoint presentation if the bottom-right Slide Show button is broken?
You can bypass the broken status bar button by pressing the F5 key on your keyboard to start the presentation from the beginning. To start from the current slide, press Shift+F5. You can also navigate to the 'Slide Show' tab on the top ribbon and select your preferred viewing option.
What does renaming the Office registry key to 'Office.old' actually do?
Renaming the key acts as a soft reset for your Microsoft Office preferences. When you restart an Office application, it detects that the 'Office' key is missing and automatically generates a new one with default factory settings, which effectively clears out any corrupted configurations causing the buttons to freeze.
