PowerPoint occasionally locks up except for the search bar at the top, and it's not sticky keys or add-ins.

Question

PowerPoint occasionally locks up except for the search bar at the top, and it's not sticky keys or add-ins.

Doug Anderson 0

For some reason, my PowerPoint occasionally locks up, making me unable to type in the main editing field. I can still type into the search bar at the top of the window, and it doesn't affect any other applications running. The application is not frozen, and it still responsive to mouse actions. Certain keys also trigger actions, like the Escape key opening the File dropdown.

I have not been able to replicate the issue intentionally. I have tried updating the application, disabling add-ins, disabling sticky keys, etc. Nothing works except for completely restarting PowerPoint AND killing the process via Task Manager.

I have searched online for others experiencing this issue without success. Can someone help me understand the issue and how to resolve?

3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Huy-K 2,790 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Dear @Doug Anderson,

Good day! Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

We apologize for any inconvenience you may encounter when using our services/ products. Based on your description, kindly try these following steps:

Repair Office Installation

Use Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office > Change > Repair or Online Repair (please try both of these)

Run PowerPoint in Safe Mode

Press Win + R, type powerpnt /safe, and press Enter. This disables add-ins. Check Guest Organization Access
If the issue disappears, it’s likely caused by an add-in. Disable them via:
- File > Options > Add-ins > Manage COM Add-ins > Go

Clear Microsoft Office cache

If the cache file is corrupted, access may be blocked. To delete: Press Windows + R and type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache to delete all files in that folder.

Uninstall and Reinstall Office Installation

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
Find Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 in the list.
Click Uninstall and follow the prompts to remove it completely.
Reinstall the Microsoft Office apps.
After installation and activation, restart your PC to ensure all components are properly loaded.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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Doug Anderson 0 Reputation points

2025-08-26T17:23:32.9233333+00:00

Thanks Huy. I have just completed the repairs and will try subsequent steps if I continue to encounter the issue. Will provide an update either way.
Huy-K 2,790 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-27T23:39:41.5333333+00:00

Dear @Doug Anderson,

We hope you're doing well.

We just wanted to follow up and see if the steps we provided helped the issue you were facing.

We haven’t heard back from you yet, and we want to make sure everything is working smoothly on your end. If you’re still experiencing any difficulties or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.
Doug Anderson 0 Reputation points

2025-08-28T05:24:37.33+00:00

Hi Huy,

I completed the repairs two days ago, then didn't experience the issue at all yesterday, but did have it again today. The problem with running in safe mode is that my work is significantly slower without add-ins and I can't replicate the issue intentionally to test whether it is fixed. It is possible that I would not experience the issue for days in safe mode even if add-ins aren't the problem.

I did save a video of the issue, but videos are not a supported file type. Is there some way to share it?
Huy-K 2,790 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-28T06:48:14.9833333+00:00
Dear @Doug Anderson,

Good day!

Please upload the file to your OneDrive and then share the link of that OneDrive here.
Please create a new folder which includes only the video of the issue.
In the meantime, kindly ensure that you have followed the steps outlined below:
Repair Office Installation

Use Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office > Change > Repair or Online Repair (please try both of these)

Clear Microsoft Office cache

If the cache file is corrupted, access may be blocked. To delete: Press Windows + R and type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\OfficeFileCache to delete all files in that folder.

If the issue still persists, try to uninstall and reinstall Office Installation.

Uninstall and Reinstall Office Installation

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps

Find Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 in the list.

Click Uninstall and follow the prompts to remove it completely.

Reinstall the Microsoft Office apps.

After installation and activation, restart your PC to ensure all components are properly loaded.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

Doug Anderson 0

Hi Huy,

Here is a link to the video: OneDrive link

In it, I am hitting keys in the main editing area, then showing that the search bar still works. When I hit Escape, it opens the File menu with "New" selected. Some other keys also trigger unexpected actions.

I have just cleared my cache as well, if I get the problem again I will reinstall Office per your next instruction.

Thanks,

Doug

Huy-K 2,790 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-29T03:54:36.37+00:00

Dear @Doug Anderson,

Good day!
We attempted to access the OneDrive link you provided, but unfortunately, it appears to be inaccessible. To resolve this, could you kindly review the sharing permissions on the file? Please ensure that the link is set so that “anyone with the link can view”.

Alternatively, you may consider uploading the file to your personal OneDrive and sharing it with permissions set to “everyone can receive”.

Please let us know once the updated link is available. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 3

Doug Anderson 0

Sorry Huy, I thought I had set it to be viewable for anyone with the link. I've now tried with two links, hopefully one works.

https://pptproductivity-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/p/doug/EXalry0GDjNOqjk2e_WOE0UB4IQPtb9Z7VrMXGLyn_Yd1A?e=vTytDq

https://pptproductivity-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/p/doug/EXalry0GDjNOqjk2e_WOE0UB4IQPtb9Z7VrMXGLyn_Yd1A?e=aHXs3D

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PowerPoint occasionally locks up except for the search bar at the top, and it's not sticky keys or add-ins.

3 answers

Your answer