I can't possibly get out of opening excel in safe mode

Question

I tried absolutely every tip on this site to avoid opening in safe mode. None worked

And I can't explain why this is happening, all of a sudden my MS Excel just closed, and has been opening like this ever since.

Any EFFECTIVE tip?

Answer 1

Hi, Leonardo Prado I Condere

This usually means Excel is stuck in a bad startup path after a crash, not that Safe Mode itself is the real problem. In many cases, Excel keeps loading a broken startup file, disabled item, toolbar setting, or even a shortcut that was changed to launch with a Safe Mode switch.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

First, check whether Excel itself disabled something and got stuck in that loop: File > Options > Add-ins > Manage: Disabled Items > Go. If anything is listed, try enabling it and restart Excel normally.

Next, empty Excel’s startup folders. Excel automatically opens anything in XLSTART and in the alternate startup folder, so one bad workbook/template there can keep breaking normal launch. Move those files out temporarily, then test Excel again.

Also check the Excel shortcut you normally use. If its Target ends with /safe or /safemode, remove that part, because Office can be forced to start that way from a shortcut.

One more good reset is renaming any .xlb file in %AppData%\Microsoft\Excel, since corrupted toolbar/custom UI files can cause startup trouble and Excel rebuilds them.

If none of that helps, it is recommended that you run Microsoft’s Excel crash troubleshooter, since it specifically checks startup folders, toolbar files, and startup-related settings automatically.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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Answer 2

Excel is starting in Safe Mode because something in the normal startup path (add-ins, startup folders, or configuration) is failing. To stop Safe Mode, isolate and remove the cause.

Follow these steps in order:

1. Confirm Excel is in Safe Mode
   When Excel opens, check the title bar. It should show something like Microsoft Excel (Safe Mode).
2. Start Excel in Safe Mode intentionally
   This ensures Excel can open and lets add-ins be managed.
   • Press Windows + R → type Excel /safe → OK.
3. Disable all COM add-ins
   Problematic COM add-ins are a common cause of Excel forcing Safe Mode.
   In the Safe Mode Excel window:
   1. Select File > Options > Add-ins.
   2. In the Manage box, select COM Add-ins and select Go.
   3. Clear all check boxes in the list and select OK.
   4. Close Excel.
   5. Start Excel normally (without /safe).
   • If Excel now opens normally, re-enable add-ins one by one (each time: enable one add-in → close Excel → reopen normally) until the issue returns. The last add-in enabled is the cause; leave it disabled or remove it.
4. If COM add-ins are not the cause
   If Excel still forces Safe Mode after all COM add-ins are disabled:
   • Follow the same process for Excel Add-ins (in File > Options > Add-ins, choose Excel Add-ins in Manage and select Go; then clear items and test).
5. If Excel will not start in Safe Mode or still misbehaves
   If Excel does not start in Safe Mode at all, or continues to fail even after disabling add-ins, repair Office:
   • Use the Office repair guidance in Repair an Office application. A full/online repair reinstalls Office components that may be corrupted.
6. Alternative Safe Mode start methods (for testing)
   To verify behavior, Excel can also be started in Safe Mode by:
   • Holding CTRL while starting Excel, then selecting Yes when prompted to start in Safe Mode.
   • Or using excel.exe /safe from Start > Run.

Once the faulty add-in or corrupted component is removed or repaired, Excel will stop forcing Safe Mode and will open normally.

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References:

• Excel not responding, hangs, freezes or stops working
• How to prevent files from opening automatically in Excel
• I get a "stopped working" error when I start Office applications on my PC
• Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC