How to Fix Microsoft Excel Crashes and Freezes on Windows / Mac

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool used by millions worldwide for data analysis, budgeting, and more. However, frequent crashes and freezes can be frustrating and hinder productivity. Whether you’re using Excel on Windows or Mac, these issues are common but solvable. In this guide, we’ll explore practical solutions to fix Microsoft Excel crashes and freezes, ensuring a smoother experience on both platforms.

How to Fix Microsoft Excel Crashes and Freezes on Windows / Mac

1. Update Excel and Office Suite

Keeping Excel and the entire Office suite updated is crucial. Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve performance. To update Excel:

• On Windows:
  1. Open any Office app (e.g., Word).
  2. Go to File > Account (or Office Account).
  3. Select Update Options > Update Now.
• On Mac:
  1. Open any Office app.
  2. Go to the Help menu and select Check for Updates.
  3. Follow the instructions in the AutoUpdate window.

2. Disable Add-Ins

Add-ins can sometimes cause Excel to crash or freeze. To identify and disable problematic add-ins:

• On Windows:
  1. Open Excel.
  2. Go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
  3. In the Manage box, select COM Add-ins, and click Go.
  4. Uncheck all add-ins and restart Excel.
• On Mac:
  1. Open Excel.
  2. Go to Tools > Excel Add-ins.
  3. Uncheck all add-ins and restart Excel.

If Excel runs smoothly after disabling add-ins, enable them one by one to identify the culprit.

3. Check for Conflicting Programs

Certain programs can conflict with Excel, causing it to crash. Common culprits include antivirus software and other real-time scanning tools. To test this:

• Temporarily disable your antivirus software.
• Close other running applications.
• Restart Excel to see if the issue persists.

If Excel stabilizes, consider adjusting the settings of the conflicting program or consulting the software’s support team for further guidance.

4. Repair Office Installation

Repairing your Office installation can fix corrupted files that cause crashes. Here’s how:

• On Windows:
  1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
  2. Select Microsoft Office and click Change.
  3. Choose Quick Repair first; if the issue remains, try Online Repair.
• On Mac:
  1. Open Finder > Applications.
  2. Right-click Microsoft Excel and select Move to Trash.
  3. Reinstall Office from your Office 365 account.

5. Clear Excel Cache

A corrupted Excel cache can cause crashes and freezes. Clearing the cache can resolve these issues:

• On Windows:
  1. Navigate to C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache.
  2. Delete all files in this folder.
• On Mac:
  1. Open Finder.
  2. Go to ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Caches.
  3. Delete all files in this folder.

6. Adjust Excel Settings

Optimizing Excel settings can improve performance and reduce crashes. Here are a few adjustments:

• On Windows and Mac:
  1. Open Excel and go to File > Options (Preferences on Mac).
  2. Under the Advanced tab, scroll to the Display section.
  3. Uncheck the options for hardware graphics acceleration.

Disabling hardware graphics acceleration can prevent conflicts between Excel and your system’s graphics drivers.

7. Check for Disk Space and Memory Issues

Excel requires sufficient disk space and memory to function properly. Ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files or using disk cleanup tools.
• Increase virtual memory if your system frequently runs out of memory.
• On Windows:
  1. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > System.
  2. Select Advanced system settings.
  3. Under Performance, click Settings > Advanced > Change.
  4. Adjust the paging file size.
• On Mac:
  1. Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
  2. Check memory usage and close unnecessary applications.

8. Reinstall Excel

As a last resort, reinstalling Excel can resolve persistent issues. Ensure you back up your data before proceeding.

• On Windows:
  1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
  2. Select Microsoft Office and click Uninstall.
  3. Reinstall Office from your Office 365 account.
• On Mac:
  1. Open Finder > Applications.
  2. Right-click Microsoft Excel and select Move to Trash.
  3. Reinstall Office from your Office 365 account.

Conclusion

rashes and freezes in Microsoft Excel can disrupt your workflow, but these solutions can help you troubleshoot and resolve the issues. By keeping Excel updated, managing add-ins, checking for conflicting programs, and optimizing settings, you can enhance your Excel experience on both Windows and Mac. If problems persist, consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft Support.

By following these steps, you can enjoy a smoother, more reliable Excel performance and get back to focusing on your important tasks.