Why Microsoft 365 Is Extremely Slow in China and How to Troubleshoot It
Question details
The user asks why Microsoft 365 applications are extremely slow across multiple locations in China while working normally in the United States and Europe, and wants to know which network and service checks to perform.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Users in China rely on Microsoft 365 for work but experience region-wide slowness, while the same applications perform normally in the United States and Europe.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 apps are slow across multiple locations in China, and the issue affects other colleagues in the same region.
Before changing network or security settings, confirm whether the slowdown affects every Microsoft 365 app and multiple users in your China office, and test the same account on a different connection such as a mobile hotspot.
Check regional network, proxy, firewall, and DNS settings
Use this first if Microsoft 365 is slow for multiple apps and users in China, because regional routing or security filtering is often the cause.
Connect the affected computer in China to a different ISP or a mobile hotspot, then open a Microsoft 365 app such as Word or Excel and check whether speed improves.
Open Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy, turn off manual proxy or automatic setup scripts if they are enabled, and then restart the Microsoft 365 application.
Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection and temporarily allow Microsoft 365 apps if an organization policy permits it; open the antivirus application and pause real-time protection only for testing.
Open Command Prompt as administrator, run nslookup login.microsoftonline.com and tracert login.microsoftonline.com, and note whether requests fail, time out, or route through slow regional paths.
If many users in China are affected, open Microsoft 365 Admin Center > Health > Service health, check for regional advisories, and create a support request with Microsoft Support.
Use WPS Office as a local Office alternative while you investigate
Use this when Microsoft 365 remains slow in China and you need to keep editing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without depending on Microsoft cloud connectivity.
Switch to WPS Office for Fast, Local Microsoft Office-Compatible Work in China
Because Microsoft 365 slowness in China is usually tied to Microsoft cloud connectivity and regional networking, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, familiar Office alternative that works locally and opens Microsoft Office formats without relying on Microsoft 365 service performance.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Go to the official WPS Office website and click Download WPS Office Free to save the installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded installer and follow the setup prompts to install WPS Office on your Windows PC or Mac.
- 3. Open Microsoft Office files: Launch WPS Writer, WPS Spreadsheets, or WPS Presentation, click Open, and choose an existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file to continue working locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Microsoft 365 extremely slow in China but fine in the United States and Europe?
This usually points to regional network routing, proxy filtering, DNS resolution, or Microsoft 365 service connectivity rather than a problem with the installed Microsoft 365 applications themselves.
What should I check first when Microsoft 365 is slow in China?
First test another internet connection such as a mobile hotspot, then open Windows Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy to check for proxy settings, and ask colleagues whether all Microsoft 365 apps are affected.
Does using a VPN always fix Microsoft 365 slowness in China?
A VPN may change the network path, but it does not always fix the issue and can add latency or violate an organization’s security policy. It is better to test the connection without a proxy first and involve your IT department.
Can WPS Office open my existing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files?
Yes. WPS Office opens, edits, and saves Microsoft Office formats such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx, so you can continue working even when Microsoft 365 cloud performance is poor.
Is WPS Office free to use as an alternative to Microsoft 365?
WPS Office offers a free version for standard editing and viewing, with a familiar interface, PDF tools, and support for Microsoft Office file formats.
