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How to Fix PowerPoint Crashing or Freezing When Using the Draw Feature
Question details
The user experiences freezing and a brief black screen when attempting to use the Draw feature in PowerPoint.
- Product
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Using the Draw feature to annotate or draw inside a presentation slide.
- Observed behavior
- PowerPoint freezes and the monitor briefly turns black shortly after starting to draw, despite updating the application and restarting the computer.
Before proceeding with troubleshooting, verify that your computer meets the graphics requirements for Microsoft Office features and ensure you have saved your current presentation to prevent any data loss during unexpected crashes.
Perform an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
Running an Online Repair replaces corrupted Microsoft Office installation files that may cause PowerPoint to crash during graphic-intensive tasks like drawing.
The built-in repair tool can fix underlying registry and application file issues without deleting your personal presentation files. An Online Repair is more thorough than a Quick Repair.
Press the Windows key, type 'Control Panel' in the search bar, and press Enter.
Click on 'Programs' or 'Programs and Features' depending on your view settings.
Scroll down to find 'Microsoft Office' in the list of installed applications. Right-click on it and select 'Change'.
Select the 'Online Repair' option from the dialog box and click the 'Repair' button. Wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer.
Launch in Safe Mode and Disable Conflicting Add-ins
Starting PowerPoint in Safe Mode helps determine if a third-party add-in is conflicting with the Draw feature and causing the application to freeze.
Update Display Drivers and Close Background Apps
A brief black screen during a crash indicates a potential graphics driver conflict. Updating your display drivers can stabilize graphics rendering.
Switch to WPS Presentation for Stable Drawing and Annotating
If Microsoft PowerPoint continues to freeze or crash on your device, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a robust, lightweight Presentation application with excellent drawing features and full compatibility with your existing presentation files.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and follow the quick installation prompts on your PC.
- 2. Open Your File: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) files seamlessly.
- 3. Use the Draw Tool: Navigate to the tools menu and start drawing or annotating without experiencing sudden black screens or crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my screen briefly turn black when PowerPoint crashes?
A brief black screen usually points to the Windows display driver restarting. When PowerPoint tries to utilize hardware acceleration to render the ink from the Draw feature, a conflict or graphics overload can cause the graphics driver to crash and reset.
Will running an Online Repair delete my PowerPoint presentations?
No. Running an Online Repair from the Windows Control Panel only reinstalls and fixes the Microsoft Office application files and registry entries. Your personal presentation files and data will remain completely intact.
Can I disable hardware graphics acceleration in PowerPoint to stop the freezing?
Yes. In older versions of Office, you can go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll down to the Display section, and check 'Disable hardware graphics acceleration'. Note that Microsoft has removed this specific checkbox in some of the latest Microsoft 365 updates.
