EXCEL IS NOT OPEN

Start Excel in Safe Mode first; if it opens there, disable its add-ins, and if it still does not open, update and repair the Office installation.

1. Test Excel in Safe Mode

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Enter: excel /safe
3. Select OK.

Alternatively, hold Ctrl while double-clicking the Excel shortcut, then select Yes when prompted to start in Safe Mode. Safe Mode bypasses startup folders, Excel add-ins, most COM add-ins, and certain custom settings that can prevent Excel from starting.^1^

2. If Excel opens in Safe Mode

Check whether a COM add-in is causing the problem:

1. In Excel, select File → Options → Add-ins.
2. At the bottom, set Manage to COM Add-ins, then select Go.
3. Clear every check box 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 causes the failure disabled.^2^

3. If Excel does not open in Safe Mode

Install the latest Office and Windows updates first, then repair Office. Microsoft’s Excel startup guidance places updates before the later repair and troubleshooting options.^2^

To repair Office:

Windows 11

1. Right-click Start → Installed apps.
2. Find Microsoft 365 or Office.
3. Select the three dots → Modify.

Windows 10

1. Right-click Start → Apps and Features.
2. Select Microsoft 365 or Office.
3. Select Modify.

Then use the option shown for your installation type:

• Click-to-Run: select Online Repair → Repair. Quick Repair is faster, but Online Repair is more thorough.
• MSI-based Office: select Repair → Continue.

Follow the prompts and restart the computer if requested. Repairing Microsoft 365 or Office repairs the entire suite, even when only Excel is affected.^3^

Avoid editing the Windows registry at this stage. Incorrect registry changes can cause serious problems; use the supported Safe Mode and repair procedures first.

If Excel still does not open, note exactly what happens—such as an error message, a blank window, “Excel not responding,” or nothing at all—and whether other Office applications open. Those details are needed to choose the next troubleshooting branch.

References

1. Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC | Microsoft Support
2. Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working
3. Repair an Office application