Office Apps Freezing

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Freezing on Android Tablet

Camila Milosovich Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to resolve freezing issues and formatting discrepancies occurring in Microsoft 365 apps on their Android tablets.

How to Fix Microsoft 365 Apps Freezing on an Android Tablet

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Editing or viewing documents using Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on an Android tablet.
Observed behavior: The Microsoft 365 applications unexpectedly freeze, become unresponsive, or display formatting errors due to outdated app data or software compatibility problems.

Before you start

Ensure your Android tablet is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and verify that you remember your Microsoft account credentials, as you may need to sign in again after troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Microsoft 365 Apps via Google Play Store

Installing the latest version of the app often resolves known bugs, improves performance, and fixes freezing issues.

Microsoft frequently releases updates to patch performance issues and enhance compatibility for Android devices. Running an outdated version of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint is a common cause of unexpected app freezing.

Open Google Play Store

Navigate to your Android tablet's home screen or app drawer and tap the Google Play Store icon.

Access your profile

Tap on your profile icon located in the top-right corner of the Play Store interface.

Go to app management

Select 'Manage apps & device' from the menu that appears.

Update the affected apps

Look for the 'Updates available' section. Tap 'Update' next to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or the main Microsoft 365 app to install the latest versions.

Update Microsoft 365 Apps via Google Play Store

Automatic Updates: To prevent future freezing issues, you can enable auto-updates for Microsoft 365 apps by tapping the three-dot menu on the app's Play Store page and checking 'Enable auto update'.

Solution 2

Clear Microsoft 365 App Data

Clearing app data removes corrupted cache files and resets the app to its default state, which can resolve persistent freezing.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for a Seamless Android Experience

If Microsoft 365 continues to freeze or consume too many resources on your Android tablet, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative that allows you to smoothly view, edit, and create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without performance lags.

1. Download WPS Office: Search for WPS Office in the Google Play Store and tap Install.
2. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and navigate to your saved Microsoft documents directly within the app.
3. Edit without freezing: Enjoy smooth, lag-free editing with full formatting preservation on your Android tablet.

Lightweight app design prevents freezing and saves tablet storage spaceFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)All-in-one interface to manage documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs in a single appFamiliar user interface makes migration seamless and intuitive

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing app data delete my Word and Excel documents?

No, clearing the app data only removes temporary cache files and app settings. Documents saved locally on your tablet's storage or backed up in OneDrive will remain completely safe. You will simply need to sign back into your Microsoft account.

Why does Microsoft 365 freeze only when opening large files?

Large documents containing complex formatting, high-resolution images, or extensive data require significant device memory (RAM) to render. If your Android tablet has limited RAM, the application may struggle to process the file, leading to temporary freezes or crashes.

What should I do if the app still freezes after an update and data clear?

If the issue persists, try uninstalling the app completely and reinstalling it from the Google Play Store. Additionally, ensure your tablet's Android operating system is up to date, as system-level compatibility issues can also cause apps to freeze.

Are there formatting differences between Microsoft 365 on PC and Android?

Yes, the Android version of Microsoft 365 is optimized for mobile viewing and editing, which means some advanced desktop features, fonts, or complex layouts might display differently or lack full editing support on your tablet.

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