Fix Excel Not Responding and Rescue Your Data

Amy Dennis

Jan 24, 2024 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

Most of us use Microsoft Excel to organize our available data and perform analyses related to finance. This means you will also be familiar with Excel not responding to errors that are very irritating and can cause data loss. Want to avoid the headache? Keep a backup file of data somewhere safe or use a third-party application to recover the lost data anytime. We will try our best to give you all the best possible solutions. It may look like the error warning below:

Overview of Microsoft Excel Not Responding Issue

When Excel is not working correctly, users can encounter Microsoft Excel freezing, crashing, not responding, not working, or data loss issues. The error message might be similar to the ones below:

Microsoft Excel has stopped working:

Microsoft Excel is not responding:

There are many negligible causes and reasons that cause Excel not to respond. Some of them are the following:

• Files on your system were damaged by a virus or you accidentally installed malicious software.
• System-related errors have damaged your Excel file.
• The user opened an Excel file using an incompatible version of Microsoft Excel.
• Your Excel is not updated and does not support Windows 10.
• Add-ins might be causing problems.

Now one of the following is the reason that Excel is not responding. But, what should be done to solve this Excel not responding problem?

Well, that is what we will be discussing in detail ahead.

How to Fix Excel Not Responding Problem

There are many methods to solve excel not responding to pop-up errors and to save your important data. We will discuss some of the important ones today.

Method 1: Using Excel with Safe Mode

If you use Windows Safe Mode to start Microsoft Excel, you can launch the application without facing any startup loading programs.

If you are using a Windows PC then you can open Excel in safe mode using two ways. You can choose the one that suits your working needs:

By Pressing and Holding the Ctrl Key to Open Excel in Safe Mode

1. Locate the shortcut desktop icon of Microsoft Excel.
2. Press and keep holding the Ctrl. Then, double-click on the icon to continue.
3. Now you will have to press the “Yes” button when you see a pop-up window up stating Excel has detected that you are holding the CTRL-key and if you want to start Excel in safe mode?

By Using the /safe Alternative to Open Excel in Safe Mode

1. Right-click the Windows button and then click the Run from the menu. You can also press the Windows and the R key together to open Run Command Box.
2. Type the given command in the Run box:

Excel /safe

3. Now Click OK.

Once you have tried running Excel in Safe Mode, it will automatically bypass all the settings like startup location, default toolbars, xlstart folders location, and Excel add-ins. But the add-ins like COM are excluded.

If this method fixes your excel frozen or not responding issue, you can move on to the next solutions to see: How to troubleshoot any startup problems in excel. If this method doesn't work for you, you can move on to the next one.

Method 2: Installation of Latest Windows Updates

If the Excel is not working properly, there might be setbacks because of your windows update. Excel not responding error can be eliminated by updating windows. Thus, it is important to start installing available recommendations and optimize windows updates to correct these errors.

You can set up your windows settings to automatically update or install windows recommended updates from time to time. If you want to install the latest Microsoft Office updates, search and find the Microsoft post as Install Office Updates.

If the Excel, not working issues still remain, please move on to the next given solution.

Method 3: Assure that another PROCESS is not Using Excel

If you are opening an Excel file that is already used by another process, the message stating Excel is not responding will be displayed at the bottom window in Excel. In order to fix this error, you will have to first finish the task before taking any action with the Excel file.

If another process is not using Excel and it still stops working then move on to the next method.

Method 4: Examine Possible Issues with the Add-Ins

Add-ins are there to improve the user experience. However, Microsoft Excel can crash because of interference. Try starting Excel without the add-ins and see if the problem is solved.

Follow the given steps:

1. First, use the safe mode to open the Excel file, you can use one way from method 1.
2. If the not responding issue is fixed, go to File > Options > Add-ins.
3. Select COM then Add-ins and click on go.
4. Untick all the checkboxes in the list and click OK.
5. Now close and start Microsoft Excel again.

If Microsoft Excel not responding or the crashing issue disappears after restarting the Excel, now enable the add-ins one at a time until it crashes. By doing this test, you will be able to find out which add-ins are causing Microsoft Excel freezes, hangs, or stop working issues. Don't forget to restart Excel after enabling an add-in every time.

However, if this doesn't resolve the issue, you can again move to the next given solution.

Method 5: Check Excel File Contents and Details

Every file on the computer can exist for a long period of time. These files are updated from user to user and updated from one version to another.

Mostly when you get an Excel file transferred from one person's location to another, it might come with something that may damage your file. The following given conditions can cause Excel to freeze, hang, or stop working:

• Formulas that are references to whole columns.
• Array formulas for referencing the uneven number of elements.
• Hundreds, or even thousands hidden or 0 width and height objects.
• Excessive use of style caused by constant copying and pasting within the workbook.
• Use of invalid and excessively defined names.

If excel hangs or stops working after investing Excel file contents and details, you can try to reinstall the Microsoft Office or try method 6.

Method 6: Do a Full System Clean Boot

Once you start your computer, many processes, programs, applications, and services will automatically run in the background. There is a possibility that these services or programs might be interfering with any software on your PC.

Now if your circumstances are the same, it will be a good idea to execute a clean boot and check if there's a virus or any other application conflicting with other softwares.

You can do this by using the windows defender on Windows 10 or install any other third-party application. However, if this method doesn't work or you have lost your Excel files, you can consider the next part of this post.

Bonus Tips: How to Save The Files If Excel Not Responding?

You can reduce Excel file loss by creating a backup of your important files. If you start seeing Excel not working or responding, it is time to create a backup of your data. Consider that you have tried every possible method to fix the not responding Excel but it's not resolved. The default Windows file backup tool can be a bit complicated. That’s why you can use Wondershare UBackit instead. It's a reliable automatic backup software that saves the files to any preferred location as a copy of your work. It also includes the following features:

• Automatic backup

UBackit provides users an inbuilt automatic backup option, this way you can select a preferred frequency such as daily, weekly, monthly, or ongoing.

• Incremental backup

Backup files will not make a new copy, UBackit will take an incremental backup by managing different versions of your lost files. This way almost 80% of your storage space will be freed.

• Customized filters

This tool allows you to select the partitions, folders, or files you want to backup. Results can also be filtered based on the file type or by entering keywords on the search bar.

• All formats supported

UBackit provides support of all the main data types and file formats of photos, audio, videos, documents, compressed files, and emails.

• Other advanced bonus features

UBackit comes with an inbuilt virus detection feature to keep your files safe from any malware. It also provides a preview of data and an advanced storage management feature for files.

As we have discussed the features of UBackit above, now let's explain how easy it is to use it in some simple steps using Windows 10:

Step 1: Launch UBackit and select the Backup tool

Once you have installed Wondershare UBackit, start it to get an automatic backup on Windows 10. Click on the “Backup & Restore” option located on the sidebar and select create a new backup.

 Step 2: Select the files/folders you want to back up

Once you select the folder that you want to create a new backup in, the application will now ask you to select a source. Here, you can browse the partitions or storage drives on your computer and select the folder, files, or partition you need to backup.

If a specific file is required to back up, then enter the keywords with the search bar manually and it will automatically give you consistent results.

There are also various filters available to select the desired data type to include in the backup.

Step 3: Choose a destination to save the backup files

To proceed further, you have to select a location where the backup files will be restored. Here, the user can choose any local disk or external drive source connected to the computer.

 Step 4: Enable the Automatic Backup schedule Option

If you want to carry out a file backup solution automatically, just click on the option “Set Auto Backup” located on the top. This way you can select a schedule from the options available to take automatic file backup. You can even take it manually whenever you like.

 Step 5: Wait for the backup process to finish

That's all of it! Now click the “Start Backup” and sit back as UBackit automatically backups your precious data on Windows 10.

The software will keep you updated on the process progress so you won't have to check it. You will get a notification once the backup of files is updated so you can manage your data quickly.

You can keep a check of the available backups and preview the files you restored to the selected location.

Bottom Line

There are many more methods to solve the Excel not responding or working issue. You can try them all to find out which helps you to fix the problem. Sometimes it is too late to fix excel frozen issue and you have already lost your important files or data. If you want to avoid such disasters, consider using UBackit. Make sure you give this amazing tool a try. Prevention is better than cure, peeps!