[Fixed] Excel Failed to Launch in Safe Mode (4 Easy Solutions)

When any unknown error causes the Excel file to not open, Excel safe mode can be a way to launch the file. This special mode can be run in multiple ways. However, in many situations, Excel might not be launched in safe mode. In the following tutorial, I will write about how to run Excel in safe mode and the solution when Excel failed to launch in safe mode.

The above GIF shows how to run Excel in safe mode. The steps for doing so are written in detail in the following article.

What Is Safe Mode?

Excel has a special mode called Safe Mode, which is to open the file when Excel is having issues launching. It may occur if any new add-in or extension is added to Excel. Related to what can cause Excel not to launch, the safe mode may not allow some of the features or add-ins to function.

4 Easy Methods to Launch Excel in Safe Mode

In the following article, I am going to show 4 methods to launch Excel in safe mode. Here, my Excel version is Microsoft Excel 365. You can use any available Excel version.

1. Using Keyboard Shortcut

The easiest way to launch an Excel file in safe mode is by using the keyboard shortcut. Follow the steps below:

Steps:

First, select the Excel file.
Then, Press CTRL+ENTER.
After pressing ENTER, do not release CTRL until a confirmation dialog box shows up.

Now, Click Yes.

Therefore, you can see the top of the Excel file turned white. It means this file is now in safe mode.

2. Implementing Command-Line to Launch Excel in Safe Mode

A specific command line can launch the Excel file in safe mode. I will show this method in a few steps.

Steps:

In the beginning, click on the Search bar in the windows toolbar.
Then, type run.
After that, find the Run in the Best match section.
Another way is, you can simply press Windows+R and the Run prompt will open.

In the Open text box, type excel /safe.

Now, Click OK.

It will result in opening a new Excel file in safe mode.

3. Creating Shortcut to Always Launch Excel in Safe Mode

You can also use the Create Shortcut method to run Excel in safe mode.

Steps:

Initially, I will create a shortcut for the Excel file.
To do so, select the Excel file and right-click on it.
Next, click on Create Shortcut.

Find the shortcut of the file to select and right-click on it.
After that, click on Properties.

Immediately, a Shortcut Properties window will appear.
Now, make sure you are on the Shortcut tab.
Next, add “ /safe” at the end of the Target box text.

The space, before the slash(/), is mandatory. Leaving out the space will result in an error.

Finally, Click OK.

If you open the Excel file from this shortcut, it will always run in safe mode.

4. Running Excel as Administrator from Windows Start Menu

In this method, I will run the Excel app as an administrator, to automatically launch an Excel file in safe mode.

Steps:

First, search excel on the Windows Start Menu.
After that, right-click on the Excel app.
Then, click on Run as administrator.

A dialog box will appear asking if you want to select “Yes” or “No”. Click on the “Yes”. It will open your Excel file in safe mode.

How to Launch Excel When It Stops Responding

If you get a message from Excel that “Excel couldn’t start last time.” and suggest you open it in safe mode. If you do not want to launch Excel in safe mode, which will lead to disabling some features, you can solve this issue by following the below steps.

Steps:

First, search registry editor on the Windows Start Menu.
Click on the Registry Editor app.

Registry Editor window will open up immediately.
Next, click on the down arrow on the left side of HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
In this menu, find SOFTWARE.
After that, click on the down arrow beside it.

At this moment, a SOFTWARE section will open up.
Then, find Microsoft and expand it by clicking on the down arrow beside it.

Similarly, find Office under Microsoft and expand it.
Then, find 16.0 under Office and expand it.
Next, expand Common under 0.

Finally, find Open Find, and click on it.
After that, right-click on the right side space.
Now, hover on New, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Name the file EnableShellDataCaching.

Now, double-click on it to open the file.
Right after, a pop-up window of Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value will appear.
Next, change the Value data to 1.
Lastly, click OK.

Now, restart your computer. The problem will be fixed.

Conclusion

In this article, you learned how to open an Excel file in safe mode and solve the issue when Excel failed to launch in safe mode. Follow our ExcelDemy page for regular blogs related to Excel. You can suggest your thoughts about this article in the comment section below.

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