PowerPoint closes without saving when computer goes to sleep

Question

If PowerPoint is closing without saving your work when your computer sleeps or when you close the lid of your laptop, it's probably due to an interaction between PowerPoint and your McAfee antivirus software. MS is aware of the problem and working on a solution.

Meanwhile, a few suggestions to help you avoid losing data while we wait for a fix:

• Get in the habit of pressing Ctrl+S often, and especially whenever you're going to step away from the computer
• Change your computer's power settings to have it wait longer before sleeping or hibernating

If neither of those suggestions fits your work habits, consider switching to a different antivirus program, either permanently or until MS releases a solution. MS Defender is free.

Answer 1

As an observation only, it would seem to me that if the problem effects PP when using McAfee it would seem to me that any fix lies with McAfee and not MS.

I don't notice people complaining about this when using Word etc

Answer 2

I get the following message when opening a Word, Excel or PowerPoint file:

I click the "Repair Now" button and then in a minute or two the app closes in the middle of my work.

Answer 3

Without knowing more about the actual cause of the problem, it's impossible to say. Sometimes perfectly innocent changes in one bit of software have unintended consequences on another program and it can be up to (and in the best interests of) both parties to cooperate on the fix.

My instinct would be to agree with you, FWIW.

And possibly to ban McAfee altogether. This isn't the first time they've caused problems with PPT (assuming that it's their fault this time, of course). And the attitude of their support people was ... ahem ... sub-supportive.

>> I don't notice people complaining about this when using Word etc

No, because it only seems to be biting PowerPoint. Several people with the problem have specifically mentioned that they've had no problems with Word/Excel. Just PPT.

Answer 4

Please start a new question and explain your problem there.

Replying to an open question about an entirely different problem pretty much guarantees that you won't get any help. Sort of like going to the grocery store and complaining about the cost of car repairs. You may get sympathy, but not solutions.

Answer 5

Joan, this is a forum for PowerPoint issues. The Publisher forum is elsewhere.

In any case, what you describe is a different problem from the one in this particular discussion.

You're more likely to get help if you create a new question and describe your problem in more detail; here if it's actually about PowerPoint, or in the appropriate section of MS Answers if not.

By the way, I've removed your phone number. We don't do phone support on any MS forums, and though most of the people you'll run into here are good folks, there ARE the occasional bad actors who you really don't want to turn personal info over to.