Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix PowerPoint ActiveX Controls Showing Errors in Office 2024

Emma Brown Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing failures with every ActiveX object in PowerPoint presentations.

How to Fix PowerPoint ActiveX Controls Showing Errors

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint (Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to view or interact with ActiveX controls embedded within a PowerPoint presentation.
Observed behavior: All ActiveX objects fail to function properly and display an error message upon interaction.

Before you start

Verify that the presentation containing the ActiveX controls is from a trusted and verifiable source, as enabling these legacy controls can expose your system to security risks.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust ActiveX Settings in the PowerPoint Trust Center

ActiveX controls are often blocked by default due to security vulnerabilities. Changing the Trust Center settings to allow them in trusted documents usually resolves the error.

ActiveX is a legacy technology that Microsoft restricts by default to protect users from malicious scripts. By modifying these permissions, you can allow controls to run only when you explicitly trust the presentation.

Open PowerPoint Options

Launch Microsoft PowerPoint, click on the File tab in the top-left corner, and select Options at the bottom of the menu.

Navigate to Trust Center

In the left-hand pane of the PowerPoint Options dialog, click on Trust Center, then click the Trust Center Settings button on the right side.

Modify ActiveX Security

Select ActiveX Settings from the left pane. Choose an option such as 'Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimal restrictions' to ensure controls can run when needed.

Save and Restart

Click OK to apply the changes, close the Options window, and restart PowerPoint to see if the ActiveX objects now function correctly.

Adjust ActiveX Settings in the PowerPoint Trust Center

Security Warning: Do not select the option to 'Enable all controls without restrictions' globally, as this leaves your computer highly vulnerable to malicious code.

Solution 2

Update and Repair Your Office LTSC 2024 Installation

If adjusting the Trust Center settings does not fix the issue, your Office installation might be missing critical updates or have corrupted application files.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Presentation for a Secure and Modern Experience

If legacy ActiveX controls are causing continuous errors or security concerns in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly secure environment for your presentations without relying on outdated and vulnerable frameworks.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite.
2. Open Your Presentation: Launch WPS Presentation, click Open, and select your existing .pptx file.
3. Present Securely: Edit and deliver your slides using modern presentation features without dealing with legacy ActiveX errors.

Free and lightweight presentation softwareHigh compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) formatsSecure environment free from legacy ActiveX vulnerabilitiesFamiliar user interface for seamless and quick migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are ActiveX controls blocked by default in PowerPoint?

ActiveX is a legacy technology that allows executable code to run within documents. Microsoft blocks these controls by default because malicious actors can exploit them to install viruses or malware on your system.

What should I do if the ActiveX settings are grayed out in the Trust Center?

If the ActiveX settings are grayed out, they are likely being managed by your organization's IT administrator via Group Policy. You will need to contact your IT support team to request changes to these security policies.

Can I use ActiveX controls in PowerPoint on a Mac?

No, ActiveX is a proprietary Windows technology created by Microsoft. ActiveX controls are not supported on macOS, and any presentations containing them will not function properly in PowerPoint for Mac.

How do I know if an ActiveX control is safe to enable?

You should only enable ActiveX controls if you completely trust the source of the presentation. If the file was downloaded from the internet or sent by an unknown contact, it is safer to leave the controls disabled.

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