excel has run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly

Start Excel in Safe Mode to determine whether an add-in is causing the startup error, then repair Office if Excel cannot start that way.

1. Test Excel in Safe Mode

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Enter:

      excel /safe
   

   Include the space before /safe, then select OK.
3. Confirm the title bar says Microsoft Excel (Safe Mode).

Safe Mode bypasses Excel add-ins, most COM add-ins, startup folders, and customized settings. ^1^

2. If Excel opens in Safe Mode

Disable add-ins and identify the conflicting one:

1. Select File → Options → Add-ins.
2. At the bottom, choose COM Add-ins from Manage, then select Go.
3. Clear all checkboxes and select OK.
4. Close Excel and open it normally.
5. If Excel now works, enable the add-ins one at a time, restarting Excel after each one. Leave the add-in that reproduces the error disabled and obtain an updated version from its publisher.
6. Repeat the test with Excel Add-ins selected in the Manage list.

Microsoft identifies older versions of ABBYY FineReader and Dragon Naturally Speaking among add-ins known to cause Office startup problems. ^2^

3. If Excel does not open in Safe Mode

Repair the complete Office installation:

1. Close all Office applications.
2. Open the repair page:
   • Windows 11: Right-click Start → Installed apps.
   • Windows 10: Right-click Start → Apps and Features.
3. Locate Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office.
4. Select the three dots → Modify on Windows 11, or select the product and choose Modify on Windows 10.
5. For a Click-to-Run installation:
   • Try Quick Repair first.
   • If the error remains, return to the same location and select Online Repair → Repair.
6. Restart Windows after the repair finishes.

Online Repair is more comprehensive; repairing Office affects the entire suite even when only Excel has the error. ^3^

4. Update Office and Windows

If Excel opens after Safe Mode or repair:

1. In Excel, select File → Account → Update Options → Update Now.
2. In Windows 11, open Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
3. Install available updates and restart the computer.

Microsoft recommends current Office updates and Windows device drivers for Office startup failures. ^2^

5. If the error remains

Uninstall and reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office. Microsoft’s uninstall troubleshooter requires Windows 10 or later and must be run on the affected computer; it currently cannot uninstall Office 2024. ^2^

If several Office applications—not only Excel—show the same error, proceed directly to Online Repair, because the failure is then suite-wide rather than isolated to Excel add-ins. ^4^

References

1. Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working
2. I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC | Microsoft Support
3. Repair an Office application
4. When I open an excel file it shows - We're sorry, but excel has run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly, Excel will need to be closed as a result. would you like us to repair now? then shows the option "repair now","help","close" - Microsoft Q&A