excel is not working what is the main reason it is showing error to run excel

SYBAF/ 19 A/ Grishma Chauhan 0 Reputation points
2026-10-06T19:21:45.83+00:00

WhatsApp Image 2026-10-07 at 12.50.15 AM

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | Other | Windows
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Ramesh Srinivasan 88,545 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-06T19:56:32.39+00:00

    Please do an online repair of Office to resolve the issue.

    • Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps (or Apps & features, depending on Windows version).
    • Select the Microsoft 365 or Office product you want to repair and select Modify.
    • Select it and choose Modify.
    • When prompted, choose Online Repair (not Quick Repair), then start the repair.

    Reference: Repair an Office application | Microsoft Support

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  2. AI answer

    2026-10-06T19:22:07.2+00:00

    The error usually appears because Excel cannot start correctly due to one of these common causes:

    • a faulty Excel or COM add-in
    • damaged Microsoft 365/Office installation files
    • outdated Office or Windows updates
    • antivirus software conflicting with Excel
    • a damaged workbook or a file created incorrectly by a third-party app
    • another background process, startup item, printer driver, or video driver interfering with Excel

    Use this order to find the main reason:

    1. Start Excel in Safe Mode
      • Press Windows + R
      • Type excel /safe
      • Press Enter
      • If Excel opens in Safe Mode, the most likely cause is an add-in.
    2. Disable add-ins if Safe Mode works
      • In Excel, go to File > Options > Add-ins
      • In Manage, select COM Add-ins or Excel Add-ins, then select Go
      • Clear the add-ins one at a time and restart Excel normally
      • If Excel starts after one add-in is disabled, that add-in is the cause
    3. Repair Microsoft 365/Office
      • If Excel still fails, repair Office from Windows using the Microsoft 365 repair option
      • This is recommended when Excel does not start normally or keeps showing the repair message
    4. Install the latest updates
      • Update both Microsoft 365 and Windows
      • Out-of-date files can cause startup and stability problems
    5. Check antivirus software
      • Make sure antivirus is fully updated
      • If it has Excel integration or an Excel add-in, it can cause performance or startup issues
      • Important: changing antivirus settings can reduce protection, so use caution
    6. Test whether the problem is only one file
      • Open a blank workbook
      • If blank workbooks open but one file fails, that workbook may be damaged
      • Files created by third-party software can also open incorrectly in Excel
    7. Check for environment conflicts
      • Excel can hang because of startup programs, background services, printer drivers, or video drivers
      • A selective startup can help identify a conflicting process or service

    If Excel does not open even in Safe Mode, the problem is more likely the Office installation or device drivers rather than add-ins.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.