Just tried to install updates to my Microsoft 365 account. How do I restart Excel so that it accepts the update?

Question

Just tried to update my 365 programs. Tried to open Excel, but it says I need to restart the program, which I have tried to no avail. How to I get to Excel?

Answer 1

Follow these steps to make sure the update is applied and Excel can start correctly:

1. Close Excel and all other Office apps (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).
2. Reboot the computer (not just sign out). This clears any pending update or background process that may be blocking Excel.
3. After restart, open another Office app first (for example, Word).
4. In that app, go to File > Account.
5. Under Product Information, select Update Options > Update Now and let the update process complete.
   • If Enable Updates appears, select it first, then choose Update Now.
6. When the “You’re up to date!” message appears, close the Office app.
7. Open Excel again and check if it starts normally.

If Excel still will not open or continues to say it must be restarted, run an Office repair:

1. Close all Office apps.
2. Open Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features).
3. Find Microsoft 365 (or Office), select it, then choose Modify.
4. Run a repair (start with Quick Repair; if the issue persists, run Online Repair as described in the Excel troubleshooting article).
5. Restart the computer after the repair and try Excel again.

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References:

• How to update Microsoft 365 or Office for Windows
• Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working