Office Apps Freezing

How to Fix Excel Freezing When Opening a File Already in Use

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Excel freezes entirely instead of displaying the standard file-in-use prompt when trying to open a shared workbook.

Product: Excel 2016 32-bit
Device & OS: Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC
Scenario: Opening a workbook that is currently open by another user, whether stored locally, on a network share, or via OneDrive/SharePoint.
Observed behavior: Excel freezes and becomes unresponsive without showing the expected file-in-use warning. It can also cause other workbooks to stop opening.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have saved all other open workbooks to prevent data loss, and verify your network connection if the file is hosted on a corporate share.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Office License and Activation Status

Checking your commercial license and activation status helps rule out account-level sync or licensing discrepancies causing the software to hang.

In some corporate environments, an inactive or incorrectly configured commercial license can prevent Excel from properly displaying read-only prompts, causing the application to hang.

Access Account Settings

Open Microsoft Excel and click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, then select 'Account' from the bottom-left menu.

Check Activation

Look under the 'Product Information' section on the right side to confirm your license type (e.g., Office 365 Enterprise, Office 2016 Professional) and ensure the status reads 'Product Activated'.

Document the File Storage Location

Verify exactly where the freezing file is stored—whether it is a local drive, a corporate network share, OneDrive, or SharePoint—to provide accurate details for IT support.

Solution 2

Follow Microsoft Guidance and Escalate to IT Support

Since the issue occurs across various network conditions, utilize official diagnostic tools and avoid making risky manual system changes.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Avoid Excel Freezing by Switching to WPS Office

If Microsoft Excel 2016 continues to freeze when opening shared files, try WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that effortlessly handles shared spreadsheets, ensuring you never miss a file-in-use warning or lose your work to unexpected crashes.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installation package for your Windows PC.
2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, click 'Open', and navigate to the file that is currently in use.
3. Collaborate Safely: Easily view or edit the shared document; WPS Office will efficiently handle file-in-use statuses without freezing your system.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including .xlsx, .xls, and .csvLightweight architecture minimizes software freezing and system resource exhaustionFamiliar user interface allows for seamless migration with zero learning curveFree alternative to expensive commercial Office licenses with robust collaboration features

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel freeze instead of showing the 'file in use' warning?

This issue often occurs due to conflicts in Office 2016 installations, licensing discrepancies, or underlying network syncing glitches. Instead of prompting you to open the file as read-only, the application stops responding while waiting for access permissions.

Should I change my registry or DNS settings to fix Excel freezing?

No. Modifying your registry, DNS, or hosts file is highly unlikely to resolve this specific issue and may cause other system instability. It is recommended to rely on standard Microsoft troubleshooting or IT support.

Does this freezing issue only happen with OneDrive files?

No. This specific freezing behavior can occur across various environments, including local network shares, corporate environments, and even when a file is opened locally by another user without an active internet connection.

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