5 Ways to Fix "Microsoft Excel Has Stopped Working" Error

Table of Contents

01 Part 1: Reasons Why Excel Has Stopped Working Windows?

02 Part 2: Troubleshoots to Fix “Excel Has Stopped Working” Problem

03 Part 3: What to Do When Excel Files Got Corrupted?

If you've ever been met with the frustrating error message "Microsoft Excel 2016 has stopped working" when trying to open a spreadsheet, you're not alone. This problem can be particularly puzzling when the same file opens just fine on a different computer or under a different user profile on the same machine. Fortunately, there are several straightforward solutions you can try to get Excel back up and running smoothly.

In this article, you’ll discover common reasons why Excel has stopped working on your Windows and provide you with five proven troubleshooting steps to fix the issue.

Part 1: Reasons Why Excel Has Stopped Working Windows?

"Microsoft Excel 2016 has stopped working" error can lead to a very frustrated moment particularly if one is using it for work. Knowing the reason behind that can be a good way of avoiding it to happen in the future. Here’s why Excel may stop working on Windows computers:

1. Add-ins Causing Conflicts: Add-ins, which are small programs that provide additional functionality for Excel, may lead to problems if they are not well designed. If someone has many add-ins, one can be problematic while causing crashing of Excel.

2. Corrupted Excel Files: The reason the Excel file you are attempting to open could not be opened may be corrupted for certain reasons. Some of these reasons may include unexpected shutdowns, software bugs, or issues during the saving process.

3. Outdated Software: Running out-of-date versions of Excel or Windows may cause compatibility problems and errors. Keeping your software up-to-date is very important for its smooth performance.

4. Insufficient Resources: If your computer is running low on memory or processing power, it might struggle to handle large Excel files or complex calculations, leading to crashes.

5. Conflicting Programs: Software from other technology companies or antivirus software can prevent excel from functioning correctly. Any app in the system could also stop excel from working well. Examples are those that are launched at startup or share the same resources as excel, among others.

Part 2: Troubleshoots to Fix “Excel Has Stopped Working” Problem

Now that you learn how “Microsoft Excel has stopped working” issue occurs, let’s proceed to the 5 effective troubleshooting tips. Here’s the list and the steps on how to do it:

Troubleshoot 1. Restart Your Computer

A simple restart can often fix many computer problems, including issues with Excel. Restarting your computer clears out temporary files and resets your system's state, which can resolve minor software glitches that might be causing Excel to crash.

Step 1: On the Start menu, click the power button. Select Restart and wait for your computer to reboot.

Step 2: Once your computer has restarted, try opening Excel again.

Troubleshoot 2. Check for MS Excel Update

Microsoft regularly releases updates for Excel that include bug fixes and new features. If you're running an outdated version of Excel, you might encounter issues that have already been resolved in newer updates. Checking for and installing updates can often resolve unexpected crashes and improve overall performance.

Step 1: Open an Excel worksheet. Click on File.

Step 2: Select Account, find Product Information and click Update Options. Select Update Now.

Troubleshoot 3. Check for Windows Update

Your operating system plays a crucial role in how applications like Excel function. Running an outdated version of Windows can lead to compatibility issues and bugs. Ensuring your Windows is up to date can help prevent and fix problems with Excel and other programs.

Step 1: Click on the Start menu. Go to Settings and select Windows Update.

Step 2: Click on Check for updates.

Step 3: Download and install any available updates and restart your computer if prompted.

Troubleshoot 4. Start Excel in Safe Mode

Starting Excel in Safe Mode disables add-ins and custom settings that might be causing conflicts. This can help you determine if an add-in or setting is the root of the problem. If Excel works fine in Safe Mode, you'll know that something you've added to Excel is causing the issue, and you can then identify and disable the problematic add-in or setting.

Step 1: Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard, then double-click on the Excel shortcut to open it.

Step 2: Click Yes to open Excel in Safe Mode.

Step 3: Try opening your spreadsheet. If it works, an add-in or custom setting might be causing the issue.

Troubleshoot 5. Repair Microsoft Office using Windows Built-in Repair

If Excel is still not working after trying the above steps, repairing your Microsoft Office installation can fix corrupted files and settings. Windows has a built-in repair tool that can automatically detect and fix issues with Office programs, including Excel. This process can resolve deeper issues that might be causing Excel to crash.

Step 1: Go to your Settings, select Apps and click on Installed Apps.

Step 2: Find Microsoft Office from the list. Click on the three vertical dots (...) next to it and choose Advanced options.

Step 3: Locate Reset by scrolling down and click on the Repair button under it.

Part 3: What to Do When Excel Files Got Corrupted?

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Facing “Excel has stopped working” issue is really a hassle, especially if it contains important data. One reason is that your Excel file is corrupted. Fortunately, there's a reliable tool called Repairit File Repair that can help you fix your corrupted Excel files. Repairit File Repair is designed to make fixing corrupted files easy and effective. It can handle various types of file corruption and supports multiple file formats, including Excel.

The interface is simple, making the repair process straightforward. It quickly scans the corrupted file to identify and fix issues. Additionally, it has wide compatibility, supporting various file formats and working on different versions of Windows, including Windows 7.

How to use Repairit File Repair to fix corrupted Excel files:

Step 1: Download and launch Repairit File Repair. Select More Types Repair, then click File Repair. Click on the +Add button to upload the corrupted Excel file you want to repair.

Step 2: Once the file is uploaded, click on the Repair button to begin the repair process.

Step 3: After the repair process is complete, you can preview the repaired file to ensure it looks correct. If you’re satisfied, save the file to your desired location by clicking the Save button.

Conclusion

Dealing with the "Microsoft Excel has stopped working" error can be a headache, but the steps in this guide can help you fix it. From restarting your computer to repairing your Office installation, these solutions address various issues.

Tools like Repairit File Repair can recover corrupted files and save your data. Keep your software updated, manage add-ins, and ensure your system has enough resources to prevent future problems. If issues persist, seek help from Microsoft Support or online forums.