Excel not responding when opening files

Alan Farnum 25 Reputation points
2025-08-07T22:58:44.7233333+00:00

I am having a problem with open excel files in 365. When i try to open certain excel spreadsheets the excel program stop responding (more than one). However this not with all files. I have files that open without any problems. I am not sure what determine the file excel opens or stop responding to. The files are stored on an external drive. The laptop is an Lenovo IdeaPad 1

I have two other computers. When i open the files on those laptops they open all files without any problems.

This issue only arose a week ago and i do not know how to fix it.

Any suggestions?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows
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Answer accepted by question author
Jeronimo Fuerte 45,760 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-08-07T23:48:33.97+00:00

Hi! Sorry to hear that you have troubles with this situation, please try this steps:

  1. Copy one of the “bad” workbooks to your Desktop and try again. If it opens, the USB cable/port or the external drive is the problem, replace the cable, use another port, or work from the internal SSD.
  2. Launch Excel in Safe Mode Win + R >excel /safe. If it opens, an add-in is crashing Excel. Disable all COM Add-ins in File > Options > Add-ins > Manage COM Add-ins > Go, and re-enable one at a time to find the problem.
  3. Turn off hardware-graphics acceleration. File > Options > Advanced > Display > tick Disable hardware graphics acceleration.
  4. Run a Quick/Online Repair of Microsoft 365. Settings > Apps> Microsoft 365 > Modify > choose Quick Repair.

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