- If the Excel toolbar fails to work as expected or appears grayed out, try restarting Microsoft Excel first.
- Renaming the Excel toolbar file or disabling add-ins can also help fix this issue.
- Try running the Office repair tool if the Excel toolbar remains unresponsive.
Fix 1: Reset Toolbar Customizations
On Microsoft Excel, you can customize the toolbar to quickly access your frequently used commands. However, a startup issue with these custom preferences could make the Excel toolbar unresponsive on your computer. You can reset the toolbar customization in Excel to see if that gets the toolbar working.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel and click the File menu at the top.
Step 2: Select Options from the sidebar.
Step 3: In the Quick Access Toolbar tab, click Reset next to Customizations and select Reset all customizations .
Step 4: Hit Yes to confirm.
Fix 2: Rename the Excel Toolbar File
If resetting the Excel toolbar proves ineffective, the Excel file containing your toolbar settings is likely corrupt. In that case, you must rename the Excel toolbar file on your computer. This will force Excel to create a new toolbar file, effectively fixing any issues.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type the following command in the text box and press Enter .
%AppData%\Microsoft\Excel
Step 2: In the File Explorer window, you should see a file named Excel15.xlb or Excel.xlb , depending on your Office version. Right-click on it and click the rename icon .
Step 3: Rename the file to OldExcel15.xlb or OldExcel.xlb .
Restart your computer and use the toolbar again.
Fix 3: Start Excel in Safe Mode
Sometimes, a malfunctioning Excel add-in can cause the program to run into issues and behave strangely. You can verify this by opening Excel in safe mode, allowing it to run without add-ins.
To open Excel in safe mode, press the Windows key + R to access the Run dialog. Type excel -safe in the Open field and press Enter . If the toolbar works as expected in safe mode, disable all the add-ins and enable them individually to find the one causing the issue.
Step 1: In Excel, click the File menu at the top left corner and select Options .
Step 2: In the Add-ins tab, select COM Add-ins in the Manage drop-down menu and click the Go button next to it.
Step 3: Clear all the checkboxes to disable your add-ins and click OK .
Restart Excel after disabling add-ins and re-enable them one by one. Try using Excel after enabling each add-in to determine which one is causing the issue. After identifying the problematic add-in, consider removing it to prevent further issues.
Fix 4: Run the Office Repair Tool
Microsoft offers a useful repair tool for fixing issues with Office apps. This tool can automatically scan and fix issues with Microsoft Excel that may have caused the toolbar to stop working. Here’s how to run it.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R shortcut to open the Run dialog box. Type appwiz.cpl in the box and press Enter .
Step 2: In the Programs and Features window, locate and select the Microsoft Office product on the list. Then, click the Change button at the top.
Step 3: Select the Online Repair option and click Repair .
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- Corrupted Excel files, faulty add-ins, and outdated printer drivers are some of the most common causes of this issue.
- Try printing another Excel file to ensure the issue is not limited to a specific spreadsheet.
- You can try running the Microsoft Office repair tool if nothing else works.
Fix 1: Save Your Excel File in XPS Format and Try Again
If Excel can’t respond to print requests, save your file in the XPS format and try again. Several users on Microsoft Community post reported fixing the issue with this simple workaround. So, if you’re in a rush, try this method.
Step 1: Open the Excel file you wish to print and click the File menu at the top left corner.
Step 2: Navigate to the Print tab and use the drop-down menu under Printer to select Microsoft XPS Document Writer . Then, click the Print button.
Step 3: When the Save Print Output As dialog appears, save your Excel file in the XPS format. It should print without issues.
Fix 2: Open Excel in Safe Mode
You can try printing an Excel file in safe mode to see if one of the third-party add-ins is causing the problem. For that, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type excel -safe in the box and press Enter .
Check to see if Excel prints your file in safe mode. If it does, one of the third-party add-ins is to blame. You can disable all add-ins and re-enable them individually to isolate the culprit.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel and go to File > Options .
Step 2: In the Excel Options window, switch to the Add-ins tab from the left column. Select COM Add-ins in the Manage drop-down menu and click the Go button.
Step 3: Uncheck all the Add-ins and click OK .
After this, restart Excel and enable your add-ins one at a time. Print a test page after enabling each add-in to identify the one causing the issue.
Fix 3: Update Printer Driver
Issues with your printer driver can affect Excel’s ability to print spreadsheets and lead to problems. To avoid this, you should ensure that your printer driver is up to date and functioning properly.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Device Manager from the menu that appears.
Step 2: Double-click on Print queues to expand it. Right-click on your printer and select Update driver .
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish updating the printer drivers. After that, try printing your file again.
Fix 4: Remove and Reinstall Your Printer
If Microsoft Excel still can’t print, try removing your printer and re-adding it on Windows. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar and go to Printers & scanners .
Step 3: Select your printer from the list.
Step 4: Click the Remove button at the top to delete your printer.
Step 5: After that, return to the Printers & scanners menu and click on Add device . Then, follow the on-screen prompts to add your printer again.
Fix 5: Repair Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office offers a handy repair tool for any issues with Office apps. If nothing else works, consider repairing Microsoft Office by following the steps below.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Installed apps from the list.
Step 2: Scroll down to locate the Microsoft Office product on the list. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Modify .
Step 3: Select Online Repair and hit Repair .
