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How to Fix Insert Picture Freezing in Office 2016 and 2019
Question details
Users are unable to insert pictures from local storage because the application freezes or crashes when clicking Browse in the Insert Pictures dialog.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Professional 2016 and 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to insert a picture for backgrounds, watermarks, bullets, or email signatures using the Insert Pictures dialog.
- Observed behavior
- The Office application stops responding when selecting 'Browse', or displays an error when using Bing Image Search.
Ensure you have saved all your open documents to prevent data loss in case the Office application freezes completely. It is also recommended to check for any pending Microsoft Office updates that might contain a permanent patch.
Use the 'Work Offline' Workaround
Bypass the freezing issue by triggering an offline state through the Bing Image Search box to open the local file explorer.
This is a known Microsoft bug affecting Office Professional 2016 and 2019 builds. Because the standard 'Browse' button causes the application to hang, you can force the application to open the local file dialog by intentionally failing an online search.
Navigate to the Insert tab in your Office application and click on 'Pictures' to open the dialog box.
Instead of clicking 'Browse', type any search term (e.g., 'test') into the 'Bing Image Search' box.
Press Enter on your keyboard to perform the search.
When the error message appears stating the search could not be completed, click on the 'Work offline' button.
The standard local file explorer will now open. Select your desired image file from your computer and click 'Insert'.
Update Microsoft Office to the Latest Version
Check if Microsoft has released the official patch for this Insert Pictures bug and update your software.
Switch to WPS Office for a Bug-Free Experience
Tired of unexpected application freezing and crashing? WPS Office offers a free, highly compatible, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office. Insert pictures, watermarks, and backgrounds effortlessly without slowdowns.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation file.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the software.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Right-click your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files and choose to open them smoothly with WPS Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word freeze when I try to insert a picture?
This is a known bug in Microsoft Office 2016 and 2019 where the 'Browse' function in the Insert Pictures dialog causes the application to stop responding. It commonly affects the insertion of picture backgrounds, watermarks, and email signatures.
How can I insert a picture if the Browse button is broken?
You can bypass the broken Browse button by typing a search term into the Bing Image Search box, pressing Enter, and then clicking 'Work offline' when an error appears. This sequence bypasses the bug and forces the local file explorer to open.
Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the freezing issue?
Reinstalling the exact same version may not fix the issue since it is a code-level bug in specific builds of Office 2016 and 2019. You should use the 'Work offline' workaround and ensure you regularly check for new Office updates until Microsoft patches the problem.
Does this Insert Pictures bug affect Office 365?
The bug was primarily reported and confirmed in Office Professional 2016 and 2019. If you experience similar freezing in Office 365, ensuring your subscription is fully updated via 'File' > 'Account' > 'Update Options' usually resolves it.
