'%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 Displaying an Error and Closing on Windows
Question details
The user is experiencing recurring crashes where Microsoft Excel displays an error message stating it cannot work correctly, and then unexpectedly closes, even after attempting a standard repair.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Working on or opening spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel
- Observed behavior
- Excel shows an error stating the application cannot work correctly and forcefully closes without allowing the user to continue working.
Ensure you have saved all open files in other applications, as repairing Office or restarting your computer may force background processes to close.
Start Excel in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins
Running Excel in Safe Mode bypasses add-ins and startup files. If Excel runs fine in Safe Mode, a faulty add-in is likely causing the crash.
Add-ins are designed to enhance functionality, but outdated or incompatible third-party add-ins are the most common cause of sudden application closures.
Press the Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Type 'excel /safe' (without quotes) in the text box and press Enter or click OK.
If Excel opens successfully in Safe Mode, navigate to File > Options, and select 'Add-ins' from the left sidebar.
At the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage drop-down list and click the 'Go' button.
Uncheck all listed add-ins to disable them, click OK, and then close Excel. Open Excel normally to see if the issue is resolved.
Run Office Quick Repair or Online Repair
If Safe Mode does not resolve the issue or standard repair failed, running a comprehensive Online Repair can fix corrupted Office installation files.
Install Pending Windows and Office Updates
Outdated software can cause unexpected crashes and compatibility issues with the Windows operating system.
Experience Crash-Free Spreadsheets with WPS Office
If Microsoft Excel continues to crash and disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative that opens, edits, and saves your Excel workbooks flawlessly without the heavy resource demands that cause crashes.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for Windows.
- 2. Install the Application: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Excel Files: Launch WPS Spreadsheet, click 'Open', and select your existing Excel files to continue your work without interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will repairing Microsoft Office delete my Excel files?
No, running a Quick Repair or Online Repair only replaces or fixes the Microsoft Office application files. Your personal Excel workbooks, spreadsheets, and data will remain completely intact.
Why does Excel keep closing immediately after I open it?
This behavior is often caused by an incompatible COM add-in, a corrupted startup file in the XLSTART folder, conflicting background processes, or an outdated Microsoft Office installation.
What is the difference between Quick Repair and Online Repair?
Quick Repair runs quickly and attempts to fix common software issues using local files already on your computer. Online Repair takes longer because it uninstalls and completely redownloads Office components from Microsoft's servers to fix more severe file corruption.
How do I know which add-in is causing Excel to crash?
After disabling all add-ins in Safe Mode, you can troubleshoot by re-enabling them one by one. Restart Excel normally after enabling each add-in; when Excel crashes again, the last add-in you enabled is the one causing the problem.
