If you frequently work on excel, you must have an idea that sometimes the notifications pop up that it isn’t working, freezing, or not responding. It is most frustrating, mainly when working on an important document.
Like many other programs, excel also has a few issues that need to be fixed, specifically while opening or working on a document. When a “not responding” problem happens, you may want to wait for its response, but it can be a disaster if it doesn’t.
However, we are here to rescue you again. You can fix this issue with the help of a few solutions. Let’s discuss the answers in detail.
Solutions to Fix The Error
Follow the below instructions to fix the Excel not responding or hanging error.
1. Open Excel In A Safe Mode
If you’re working on an excel document and it frequently stops working or does not respond, you may try to open it in a safe mode. It is a common way to fix not responding errors.
When you open excel in a safe mode, Excel starts with only essential services. To open Excel in a safe mode, follow the instructions that are given below:
- Press the Window + R button simultaneously to open the run dialogue box.
- Now in the Run Window, type excel.exe/ safe and tap on the enter button.
- It will open the Microsoft Excel program in a safe mode.
- After opening Excel into a safe mode, try to open the Excel file again that wasn’t responding. If the file opens, save the data to another excel file for future use.
2. Upgrade To The Latest Version
These issues can arise when you use outdated Windows and Office Updates versions. Be sure to download the latest version of the Window and office update version on your computer or PC.
Follow the steps that are mentioned here:
- Head to the Control Panel and then click on System and Security.
- Now change the settings and set it to the Automatic Mode by Start Maintenance option.
3. Macros Recompilation
If you are using complex Macros, it can also be the reason for not responding, hanging, or freezing issues.
You can fix this error by following the mentioned instructions:
- Open the MS Excel and then Head to the Developer -> Visual Basic.
- Go to the Tools -> Options. After you have found the Options window, Tap on the General tab and erase the “Compile On Demand.”
- With the Project Navigation pane, you must right-click on the Module and select ‘Insert’ to insert a new module.
- The last step is to save the Excel file and close the MS Office Application.
After following the listed instructions, when you try to use Macros next time, there are high chances that you won’t face the issue again.
What If Microsoft Excel Is Not Responding To Errors?
1. Disable Add-Ins
Another fix for the Excel not responding is disabling Add-ins. It helps avoid issues including freezing, hanging, and getting stuck in Excel.
Open the Excel into Safe Mode. For doing this, follow the solution that we have mentioned earlier.
After opening Excel into the safe mode, you now need to follow the instructions mentioned below.
- Tap on the File option at the top left corner and hit the Excel options button.
- Now click on the Add-ins option seen on the side menu. Now choose Excel Add-ins and tap on the Go button to open the Add-Ins selection window.
- Disable All the Add-ins present on your system. For doing this, unmark the box present along with the active Add-Ins.
- Lastly, save the changes by clicking on Ok.
- Restart Microsoft Excel and check whether the issue is still there or not.
2. Change the Default Printer
You might wonder how a default printer method is relevant to the Excel not responding error? It is related to this issue because whenever we open an Excel Spreadsheet, it internally communicates with the attached printers to check for compatible margins.
That’s why it is suggested to change the default printer to fix Excel not responding errors.
To disable the default printer, follow the following step:
- Open the control panel and then tap on the printer and devices.
- To set printed to default, right-click on the Microsoft XPS Document Writer.
- Now try to open the Excel file to verify the issue.
3. Fix Microsoft Office
Fix Microsoft Office is a standard solution for numerous issues. This solution will help you fix Microsoft Not Responding errors on your Windows by resolving the problems in damaged or inaccessible program files.
Follow the instructions mentioned below:
- Head to your system’s Control Panel by navigating the start button > Windows System. Tap on the Control panel after it.
- From the Control Panel Windows, Click on the program and features.
- At the next Window, tap right on the Microsoft Office and click on the Repair option.
4. Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Excel
Another solution on our list is to uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Excel. In this way, it’ll be a fresh start for Microsoft Excel. Many users must find this solution helpful in fixing the Excel not responding or the issue of the stop working.
To do this, you have to follow the given steps:
- Head to the Control Panel > programs > programs and Features > Now search for Microsoft Excel; after finding it, click on Uninstall.
- After uninstalling it, now reinstall it for a fresh start. It’ll help fix the problem.
5. Make Sure Excel Isn’t In Use By Another Process
If Excel is in use of another process, then it may not respond. You’ll see this information in the status bar at the bottom of the Window. Let the one task process first, then start a new one to avoid any inconvenience.
Also Check: How To Fix Windows 10 Corrupted Files
Conclusion
When you’re working on Excel and suddenly get interrupted by issues including freezing, hanging, or not responding to errors, it can be quite a frustrating situation. However, no need to worry about it because we have listed all the possible solutions to fix Excel not responding errors. Read this article thoroughly, and you’ll find a solution according to the problem you’re facing.
Maryam has been teaching IT as a school teacher for over a decade, and her main subject of choice is Internet safety, especially helping parents keep their families safe and secure online. When Maryam is not teaching or writing she is a big fan of the outdoors, the complete opposite of staring at a computer screen for hours.
