Excel run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly

Grace G 0 Reputation points
2026-08-08T07:52:11.4+00:00

Excel run into an error that is preventing it from working correctly, Repair now.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | Other | Windows
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  1. DaveM121 914.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-08T08:27:47.3466667+00:00

    Hi Grace,

    1

    Press and hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard while you open Excel to open Excel in Safe Mode, does Excel open correctly?

    If Excel does open in Safe Mode, remove any add-ons you have added to Excel, then restart Excel and check if Excel opens normally.

    2

    If that was not the problem:

    Before performing this process, please log into your Microsoft account on this link (https://account.microsoft.com/services/) and check to ensure your Office licence or Microsoft 365 subscription is listed correctly on your account.

    Open the Settings App (gear icon on your Start Menu)

    Go to Apps - Installed Apps, then scroll down to find Microsoft Office

    Select that and choose Modify - Online Repair

    That should fix any issues with your Office Installation.

    3

    If that does not resolve the problem, completely uninstall Office, then go to your Microsoft account in the link in number 2 above and reinstall Office.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-08T07:52:28.1033333+00:00

    Try this in order:

    1. Update Office first
      • Open any Office app if possible.
      • Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
      • If Enable Updates appears, select it first.
    2. Start Excel in Safe Mode
      • Press Windows + R.
      • Type excel /safe and press Enter.
      • If Excel opens in Safe Mode, the issue is likely an add-in.
    3. Disable add-ins
      • In Excel Safe Mode, go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
      • In Manage, select Excel Add-ins or COM Add-ins, then select Go.
      • Clear one add-in at a time and select OK.
      • Restart Excel normally after each change.
      • Older add-ins known to cause problems include ABBYY FineReader, PowerWord, and Dragon Naturally Speaking.
    4. Repair Office
      • On Windows 11: Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
      • On Windows 10: right-click Start > Apps and Features.
      • Select Microsoft 365 or Office > Modify.
      • For Click-to-Run, choose Quick Repair first. If the problem continues, run Online Repair.
      • For MSI-based installs, choose Repair > Continue.
      • Restart the PC after the repair.
      • Online Repair is more thorough, but it takes longer.
    5. Install Windows updates
      • On Windows 11: Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
      • On Windows 10: Start > Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Check online for updates from Microsoft Update.
    6. If Excel still shows the same error
      • Check whether the Office Software Protection Platform service is running:
        • Search for Services and open it.
        • Find Office Software Protection Platform.
        • Open Properties.
        • Set Startup type to Automatic and confirm Service status is Running.
        • If it is stopped, select Start.
      • If that service is not listed, continue with the other steps because newer Office versions may not use it.

    If Excel does not open even in Safe Mode, the problem is not likely caused by add-ins, so Office repair is the main next step.

    References:

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

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