Why does Excel Not Responding Error Occur?
There are various reasons Excel stops responding, so there are multiple solutions. We will discuss solutions in examples of resolving “Excel Not Responding Error.”
Let us address the common issues first.
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#1 Changing the Default Printer
It is one of the easiest solutions to fix this error. Whenever we reopen Excel, it checks for default printers because Excel concentrates on printers. So, whenever this issue arises, we can change the default printer. How to do this is explained in the steps below:
- Step 1: First, we must press the Windows button + R to open the run command and type the “Control Panel” to open the “Control Panel.”Step 2: In the “Control Panel,” we need to go to “Devices and Printers.” There we may find an option for “Microsoft Document XPS Writer.”Step 3: Then, right-click on it and set it as the default printer.
#2 Update Excel
One of the other reasons we get the “Excel Not Responding Error” is that our Excel version is not up to date. To fix this error, we can check for current updates available. How to check for updates is explained below:
- Step 1: Firstly, besides the “Home” tab, we need to go to the “File” tab and choose the option “Account.” Step 2: In “Account,” we can see product information, and if Excel is not updated, we can find updates in “Update Options.”Step 3: Update Excel, and this may fix the error.
#3 Re-install or Repair Excel
In the “Control Panel,” from “Uninstall or change a program,” click on “Uninstall,” and Windows pops up an option for excel to be repairedExcel To Be RepairedThere are four methods for repairing corrupted Excel files: Manually repair the workbook, Recover data from an opened workbook, Setting calculation to manual, Create backup copy of workbook manually.read more or uninstalled.
#4 Re-Install Anti Virus
Sometimes anti-virus software also can cause Excel to freeze or not respond. Reinstalling Antivirus also helps to fix the error.
Solutions to Fix Excel Not Responding Error (with Examples)
Here in the examples below, we can show you how to always fix this error message.
Example #1 – How does this Error Occur and How to Fix it?
Why do we get the same Excel not responding result? Because once we press the “Enter” key, Excel again automatically recalculates all the formulas in Excel. We need to turn it into a manual calculation.
- First, we must open an Excel file. And write a number 1 in cell A1 and 2 in cell A2. Now in cell B1, write a basic excel formula:=Sum(A: A) Now, press the “Enter” key. We may see that Excel calculates the value. Now, copy the formula to the last cell of the G column, and we may see Excel freezes itself in the calculation. Even if we click anywhere, it does not work. We get the above screen as a result. Excel has stopped responding. We selected the whole 1048576 rows for the calculation, which had no values. But after some time, Excel will do the analysis. Now, we need to try to add a simple formula in any cell,e.g., in cell C3. When we press the “Enter” key, we can have the following result.
We get the above screen as a result. Excel has stopped responding. We selected the whole 1048576 rows for the calculation, which had no values. But after some time, Excel will do the analysis.
Step 1 – First, we must go to the “File” tab beside the “Home” tab.
Step 2 – Then, click on “Options” in the last section.
Step 3 – In Excel, in”Options,” go-to “Formulas.”
Step 4 – In “Calculation options,” we can see that the default option is “Automatic.”
Step 5 – After that, check it to “Manual” and uncheck “Recalculate workbook before saving” to stop Excel from recalculating a workbook before saving.
Example #2 – Remove Excel Add-in to Fix Excel Not Responding Error.
Sometimes when we enable some excel add-insExcel Add-insAn add-in is an extension that adds more features and options to the existing Microsoft Excel.read more, it can also cause Excel to freeze or not respond. But once we have already enabled the add-in and cannot open the excel workbook, how to open Excel and disable it?
We will learn the same in this example. In this example, we will start Excel in safe mode.
- Step #1: First, we need to press the Windows button + R to open the run window.
In the “Open” bar type:
Step #2: When we press “OK,” it opens Excel in safe mode for us. Now, go to the “File” tab beside the “Home” tab.
Step #3 – Click on “Options” in the last section.
Step #4 – In Excel “Options,” we can see “Add-ins” in the second last option.
Step #5 – Click on it, and in the “Add-ins” window, click on “Go” beside “Manage.”
Step #6 – Now, another wizard box opens up where we have selected our add-ins.
Step #7 – Next, deselect any selected add-in and click on “OK.”
Now, try reopening the Excel file. It may fix Excel not responding issue.
Example #3 – Remove Conditional Formatting to Fix Excel Not Responding Error
In the above examples, we have seen that the whole Excel file stops responding or freezes due to large data or large referencing formulas. But there may be a situation where we have problems with Excel not responding to only one of the worksheets in Excel.
First, let us discuss how this could happen. Why only in one worksheet of Excel? When we use conditional formatting and change the default formatting of a larger amount of data, it can also cause Excel to stop responding or freeze because conditional formattingConditional FormattingConditional formatting is a technique in Excel that allows us to format cells in a worksheet based on certain conditions. It can be found in the styles section of the Home tab.read more works on some conditions provided by the user, which is formulas in general.
Select the total data by “CTRL + A,” but the most advisable method to select the entire data in a worksheet is clicking the button below.
We need to go to “Conditional Formatting” in the “Home” tab under the “Styles” section.
Click on “Conditional Formatting.” We may see an option of “Clear Rules.”
When we click on “Clear Rules,” it gives us two options: “Clear Rules from Selected Cells” or “Clear Rules from Entire Sheet.”
Click on “Clear Rules from Entire Sheet.”
The above method will remove any conditional formatting done in the worksheet, which may troubleshoot the issue of excelTroubleshoot The Issue Of ExcelTroubleshooting in Excel helps when we tend to get some errors or unexpected results associated with the formula we use in Excel. read more, not responding.
Things to Remember
- If we need to disable something to come out of Excel, not responding issue, we must open Excel in safe mode.Always install an Excel version (32-bit, 64-bit) per the computer’s configuration.We must try to move large data in different worksheets rather than keeping them in a single worksheet.
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