Powerpoint Blank When It's Not The Active Application

Hi lubby1010,

I’ve tried this at my end to check if the same behavior will occur if a PowerPoint file will turn into a blank page when it’s not the active application and it didn’t reproduce the same result. The contents of the file are still visible as I've replicated the concern.

For us to identify if the issue is with the file or with the PowerPoint app itself, we’ll try to perform some troubleshooting steps. Just to confirm, does the issue occur on the other PowerPoint files saved on your PC? Do you get the same observation when opening it on a different computer? Can you confirm the build and version of PowerPoint that you're using? Click this link for the steps to know how.

As an initial step, I’d recommend opening PowerPoint in safe mode. This will help us troubleshoot the issue accordingly. Click this link for the steps. As soon as it’s already on safe mode, open the PowerPoint file and another application on your PC, then see if it will be blank as you select or click the other application.

If the issue doesn't persist while on safe mode, you can use the instructions below to identify which add-in is causing it to happen:

1. Click File > Option > Add-ins, then click Go in the Manage: COM Add-ins.
2. Clear the checkbox if you'll see any add-ins, then disable them.
3. Close the PowerPoint app and relaunch it after.
4. Check if you'll still get the same behavior.

Please respond to this thread to let me know how the issue progresses. Similarly, if you have more questions, please inform me by replying to this post.

I appreciate you for updating us with the status of your concern. Since you’ve encountered the same behavior after reinstalling the apps and even with other Office applications, we’ll try to isolate if this is already related to the performance of the operating system running on your computer. I’d suggest that you sign into another user account in Windows and see if the issue will occur. You may create a new user profile if you don’t have any other local account. Check this article for the instructions.

If you have additional questions, or if the issue persists after the troubleshooting steps above, please let me know by replying to this thread. This way, I'll get notified and respond back to you as soon as I can.

Unfortunately, uninstalling and reinstalling has not fixed the issue. Even worse, it now happens with other office programs.

When clicking away in Excel, and also when clicking away after opening at least the "Sparklines" tool window, this portion disappears: ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/25bb22fc-8b3c-4bce-be63-4bf656a9159c?platform=QnA"https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/9fbe77ff-27ed-4941-b7f7-553650d45851?platform=QnA" rel="ugc nofollow">

Clicking away after opening the pivot  chart tool window from the toolbar, the everything except the toolbar (green part with save and X included) and pivot chart window disappears. When clicking another program (like snipping tool), it returns sometimes.

When clicking exit in Excel, the save window appeared and caused the background to disappear like above. When clicking into firefox the cells appeared, and I was unable to get anything to disappear while the save window was active. When exiting the save menu, the problem occurred as expected (clicking away).

In Word, the problem occurs after opening the Chart window from the toolbar. Clicking away caused everything below the toolbar to disappear, however it did return while typing this description. Also, when exiting, the problem occured exactly like in Excel, except these icons stayed visible (from the gibberish I typed to see if the text would disappear). ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/d714e62f-8a97-4d68-8e8a-162b43eab08e?platform=QnA"https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/b408609b-c4af-40d5-a9f5-570fd4e72fc2?platform=QnA" rel="ugc nofollow">

(black bar added by me in paint)

In OneNote, a few tries of clicking away can replicate problem, but only when I was using the draw tool. In fact, when I select a draw tool and click out, I can click back into the white "disappeared" blank space and draw on it as long as I hold down the mouse (so one line only). When releasing the mouse, the rest of the disappeared info returns and my drawing is on top.

I think that's all the office programs, but I can test others if I've missed some.

Thanks for providing detailed outcome after trying the suggested troubleshooting steps. Since it’s confirmed that it’s not happening on other computer and the same behavior occurs on all PowerPoint files, it’s possible that it has something to do with the application itself. Having said that, I’d recommend that you run an Office repair. This is usually being performed if an Office app isn’t working accordingly as expected. See this article for the instructions.

Then, if the same issue persists, you may uninstall and reinstall the Office applications. This should completely address the issue. Refer to this link for the step-by-step guide.

To notify us and have us get back to you, simply reply to this post.

Thanks for the reply, sorry for the delay. I've done some troubleshooting and got the information you requested.

• It happens with other files, yes. Happens when creating a new document after opening application as well.
• Did not happen on other computer (public library, pretty sure it's also windows 7)
• Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016
• Version 1903 (Build 11425.20202)
• So the problem doesn't happen in full screen:
• Opened in safe mode, PP automatically starts in full screen. I was prompted to accept the license agreement. I then opened Access, and the problem did not occur. I took PP out of full screen, and the problem happened again when I clicked in Access (and Firefox, and another presentation).
• Also opened in safe mode and minimized PP first before opening Access, but problem still happened when opening Access (and other programs).
• Opened in safe mode. Instead of accepting license agreement, I tried to click the PP slide behind the window. When I did, only the license agreement window went blank (not the full-screen, PP presentation slides behind it). It stays blank (can see the outside of the window and X in top right corner only) until I click outside the program.
• Also, when opening in safe mode and normal mode, if I click to enter text on the blank title slide:

The first time I click elsewhere, PP goes blank, but if I click on the same spot (so the text cursor is showing) and then click outside PP again, nothing goes blank EXCEPT for the flashing text cursor. This doesn't always happen when trying a third time, or alternating with clicking other programs. Basically, other than the first and second click as I described, I can't predict which part will disappear.

Thanks for the help!