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How to Fix Excel Crashing on M2 MacBook Pro (Apple Silicon)
Question details
The user experiences frequent crashes when using Microsoft Excel on an M2 MacBook Pro, particularly after migrating data to the Apple silicon Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- macOS (M2 MacBook Pro / Apple Silicon)
- Scenario
- Opening and using Excel after migrating data to a new Apple silicon Mac. The application crashes normally but successfully opens in Safe Mode.
- Observed behavior
- Excel crashes unexpectedly, generating a crash report referencing 'WinCrypto'. Despite the reference, this is a standard Microsoft cryptographic component and does not indicate a malware or ransomware infection.
Ensure your M2 MacBook Pro is connected to power and a stable internet connection before performing macOS or Office updates. Backup any unsaved Excel spreadsheets using iCloud or an external drive.
Update macOS, Excel Software, and Disable Add-ins
Since Excel opens in Safe Mode, an outdated software version or an incompatible third-party add-in is likely causing the crash on your M2 Mac.
Running older versions of Microsoft Office via Rosetta or older macOS versions can cause stability issues on Apple Silicon. Updating both ensures native M-series chip compatibility.
Open System Settings from the Apple menu, click on General, and select Software Update to install any available updates for your M2 Mac.
Open Microsoft Excel (or another Office app like Word if Excel won't open), go to Help > Check for Updates in the top menu bar, and install the latest patches.
Launch Excel in Safe Mode. Navigate to Tools > Excel Add-ins in the menu bar, uncheck all active add-ins, and click OK. Restart Excel normally to see if the issue is resolved.
Create a New macOS User Profile
Migrated user settings from an older Intel Mac might be corrupted. Testing in a new user profile helps isolate system-wide versus user-specific configuration issues.
Reinstall Microsoft 365
If software updates and profile changes fail to resolve the issue, cleanly reinstalling a fresh copy of Microsoft 365 optimized for Apple Silicon is necessary.
Experience Crash-Free Spreadsheets with WPS Office for Mac
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash on your M2 MacBook Pro, consider switching to WPS Office. It is highly optimized for Apple Silicon, completely free to use, and offers a lightweight, stable spreadsheet experience without the bloat of traditional office suites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac Excel crash report mention WinCrypto?
The 'WinCrypto' reference in your macOS crash report points to an internal Microsoft component that handles standard cryptographic operations. It is completely safe and is not an indicator of malware, viruses, or ransomware on your M2 MacBook.
How do I open Excel in Safe Mode on an M2 MacBook Pro?
To run applications in Safe Mode on an Apple Silicon Mac, you must boot the macOS into Safe Mode. Shut down your Mac, press and hold the power button until 'Loading startup options' appears, select your primary disk, press and hold the Shift key, and click 'Continue in Safe Mode'. Once booted, open Excel to test it.
Will I lose my Excel files if I reinstall Microsoft 365?
No, moving the Microsoft Excel application to the Trash and reinstalling it only removes the software files. Your personal spreadsheets, documents, and data stored locally in Finder or on cloud services like iCloud and OneDrive will remain untouched and safe.
