'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Excel and Word Not Opening Files Until Windows Restart
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where Microsoft Excel and Word 2021 stop opening existing files, though they can be launched from the Start menu. The problem is temporarily resolved by restarting Windows.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2021 (Excel and Word)
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to open existing Excel spreadsheets or Word documents from local storage.
- Observed behavior
- Files fail to open, and Excel may display a splash screen before unexpectedly closing. The issue persists until the Windows operating system is restarted.
Before proceeding with troubleshooting, ensure you have saved any open work in other applications and note down your Microsoft account credentials in case an Office repair requires you to sign back in.
Start in Safe Mode and Disable Problematic Add-ins
Running Office in Safe Mode bypasses add-ins that might be preventing files from opening. If files open properly in Safe Mode, a third-party add-in is likely the culprit.
Third-party add-ins often conflict with the launch processes of Microsoft Office applications. Running the apps in Safe Mode allows you to isolate and disable these troublesome extensions.
Press the Windows key + R simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
Type 'excel /safe' (for Excel) or 'winword /safe' (for Word) and press Enter to launch the application in Safe Mode.
Try opening your existing file from within the Safe Mode app by clicking File > Open. If it opens successfully, proceed to disable add-ins.
Click File > Options > Add-ins. In the 'Manage' drop-down at the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' and click 'Go'.
Uncheck all add-ins in the list and click OK. Close the application and restart it normally to see if the files open without requiring a system restart.
Run a Windows Office Repair
If Safe Mode does not resolve the issue, the Office installation files might be corrupted. Running a Quick or Online Repair can fix underlying registry and software problems.
Experience a Stable and Lightweight Office Alternative
If Microsoft Office applications frequently crash or require a system restart just to open files, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for viewing and editing your documents without frustrating system glitches.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer.
- 2. Install and Set as Default: Run the installer and set WPS Office as your default application for opening Word and Excel formats.
- 3. Open Files Instantly: Double-click your existing documents to open them smoothly without needing to restart your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does restarting Windows temporarily fix my Office apps?
Restarting your computer clears temporary files and forcefully terminates hung background processes or crashed Office services (such as background excel.exe tasks). Once these stuck processes are cleared, the application can temporarily launch normally until the conflict occurs again.
What is an Office Add-in and why does it cause files not to open?
Add-ins are third-party tools that integrate with Microsoft Office to provide extra features. If an add-in is outdated or incompatible with Office 2021, it can conflict with the application's launch sequence, causing it to freeze at the splash screen or close unexpectedly.
Will repairing Microsoft Office delete my personal documents?
No, running a Quick Repair or Online Repair from the Windows Settings menu only replaces or fixes corrupted Microsoft Office program files and registry keys. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and data will remain completely safe and untouched.
