Seeing “Copilot Not Responding”? Learn what causes the issue and how to fix Microsoft Copilot across Word, Excel, Windows, and Edge in clear, simple steps.
What Is the Copilot Not Responding Issue?
You’re using Microsoft Word, Excel, or Windows, and Copilot suddenly stops working. You type a prompt, click the Copilot icon, or wait for a response — but nothing happens. The screen freezes, spins endlessly, or goes silent. If this sounds familiar, you’re likely facing the Copilot not responding issue.
This is more than just a momentary glitch. It usually means that Copilot has failed to process your input or cannot complete your request due to connectivity, permissions, or app-level issues. Sometimes it’s a background service that’s stuck. Other times it’s the result of software conflicts or network limitations.
What makes this problem especially confusing is that there’s often no specific error message. You just sit there, waiting — unsure if it’s broken or just slow.
Why it matters:
- ⏱️ Delays in productivity: Copilot is meant to speed up tasks — not slow them down.
- 🔄 Session instability: The issue may point to deeper problems in your Microsoft 365 or Windows configuration.
- 🧩 Hidden conflicts: Add-ins, extensions, or background services could interfere without your knowledge.
- ⚙️ Silent failures: Copilot doesn’t always explain why it isn’t responding — which can make it hard to fix.
- 🌐 Cloud dependency: If the service is down or blocked, Copilot will remain unresponsive.
The good news? With a few practical steps, you can usually restore Copilot’s full functionality within minutes.
📚 Table of Contents
• 🔍 Most Common Causes of Copilot Not Responding
• 🛠️ How to Fix Copilot Not Responding
• 🧪 Advanced Troubleshooting Tips
• 💬 User Experiences
• ❓ FAQ – Copilot Not Responding
• 📚 Related Guides
🔍 Most Common Causes of Copilot Not Responding
When Copilot doesn’t respond, it’s often due to one of the following issues. This table highlights key causes so you know where to look first.
| ⚠️ Problem Title | 💬 Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🌐 Network Latency or Interruption | Copilot relies on stable internet — even brief disconnections can freeze it. |
| 🔐 Expired Microsoft 365 Session | If you’ve been signed in too long, your session token may have expired. |
| 🧩 Conflicting Add-ins or Extensions | Third-party add-ins can interfere with how Copilot responds. |
| ⚙️ Background Service Failure | Services that power Copilot may stop running correctly behind the scenes. |
| 🔄 App Not Fully Updated | Old builds of Word, Excel, or Windows may cause Copilot to freeze or delay. |
| 🔒 Copilot Temporarily Disabled | In some setups, Copilot may be restricted by admin settings or licensing gaps. |
| 📁 Cache or Temp File Corruption | Session data may become stuck or outdated, halting interaction. |
| 🛑 Content Filtering or Firewall Rules | Security tools can block Copilot’s requests to Microsoft’s servers. |
| 🧾 Server Load or Temporary Downtime | Microsoft Copilot might be under load or briefly unavailable. |
| 👥 Multiple Accounts Logged In | Using more than one Microsoft account can confuse Copilot’s license access. |
🛠️ How to Fix Copilot Not Responding
If your Copilot has gone quiet or frozen, here are tested and reliable ways to bring it back. Follow each step, and test Copilot after completing each one.
1. 🌐 Check Internet Connection
🧠 Why it works:
Copilot runs in the cloud. Even slight network disruptions may cause delays or full outages.
📌 How to do it:
• Open a browser and test another website
• Restart your router or switch to a mobile hotspot
• Disable VPN temporarily and try again
2. 🔄 Sign Out and Back Into Microsoft Account
🧠 Why it works:
Refreshing your sign-in ensures Copilot gets a fresh session token.
📌 How to do it:
• Open Word, Excel, or Edge
• Go to File > Account > Sign Out
• Close the app, reopen it, and sign in with the correct account
3. 🧹 Clear Copilot Cache and Session Files
🧠 Why it works:
Old or corrupted files may interrupt Copilot’s ability to respond.
📌 How to do it:
• Close all Office apps
• Go to %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office
• Delete folders named “Copilot” or similar
• Restart the apps and try again
4. 🔄 Update Microsoft 365 and Windows
🧠 Why it works:
Older builds may contain bugs that cause freezing or delays in Copilot response.
📌 How to do it:
• For Office: File > Account > Update Options > Update Now
• For Windows: Settings > Windows Update > Check for Updates
5. 🧩 Disable Add-ins or Browser Extensions
🧠 Why it works:
Third-party plugins may block Copilot scripts or input parsing.
📌 How to do it:
• In Word/Excel: File > Options > Add-ins > Manage COM Add-ins > Go
• Uncheck everything except essential tools
• Restart the app
• In Edge: Settings > Extensions > Disable all, test Copilot
6. 🧰 Repair Microsoft 365 Installation
🧠 Why it works:
Repairing Office resets critical components that may have been corrupted.
📌 How to do it:
• Go to Control Panel > Programs > Apps & Features
• Click Microsoft 365 > Modify > Select “Quick Repair” or “Online Repair”
7. 🔐 Use a Single Active Microsoft Account
🧠 Why it works:
Conflicts between personal and business accounts can confuse Copilot’s backend services.
📌 How to do it:
• Sign out of all accounts
• Sign back in with only the Microsoft 365 account licensed for Copilot
8. ⚙️ Restart Background Services
🧠 Why it works:
Background services like “Microsoft Office Click-to-Run” help Copilot function.
📌 How to do it:
• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
• Under “Services,” right-click “ClickToRunSvc” > Restart
• Reopen Office or Edge
9. 🧱 Review Firewall and Security Software
🧠 Why it works:
Overprotective firewall rules can silently block Copilot’s cloud access.
📌 How to do it:
• Open your firewall or antivirus dashboard
• Temporarily disable it and test Copilot
• If Copilot responds, whitelist its services and domains
10. 🧾 Wait for Microsoft Cloud Services to Stabilize
🧠 Why it works:
Microsoft Copilot services may experience occasional cloud-side slowdowns.
📌 How to do it:
• Visit status.office.com to check for known outages
• Try again later if services are under maintenance
🧪 Advanced Troubleshooting Tips
If the issue persists, these advanced steps may help resolve stubborn Copilot not responding errors.
1. 🛠️ Reset App Permissions and Trusted Access
🧠 Why it works:
Corrupted permissions can block Copilot from accessing documents or input.
📌 How to do it:
• Open Word or Excel
• Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings
• Enable all required document and script access permissions
2. 🧾 Confirm Copilot License Status via Admin Center
🧠 Why it works:
Even small license assignment errors can block Copilot from responding.
📌 How to do it:
• Admin: Visit admin.microsoft.com
• Go to Users > Active Users > Select your profile
• Ensure “Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365” is checked under Licenses
3. 📊 Check Activity Logs in Azure AD or Office Admin
🧠 Why it works:
These logs reveal if Copilot calls are being blocked or timing out.
📌 How to do it:
• Admin: Go to Azure AD > Sign-in logs
• Filter by Copilot or Microsoft 365 service
• Look for failed authentications or permission errors
4. 🧰 Create a New Local User Profile (Windows Only)
🧠 Why it works:
Corrupt user profiles may silently break Copilot sessions.
📌 How to do it:
• Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add a new user
• Log into the new profile and test Copilot there
💬 User Experiences
I asked Copilot for help in Excel, and it just froze. I restarted the app and signed in again — it started responding immediately after that.
— Thomas, Finance Analyst
Copilot wouldn’t respond in Edge. I disabled extensions and it began working again without any issue.
— Mia, Product Researcher
My IT admin had to reassign my Copilot license. Once that synced, it responded normally again.
— Alex, Operations Manager
❓ FAQ – Copilot Not Responding
🌐 Does Copilot need the internet to respond?
• Yes. It’s a cloud-based tool that requires an active and stable connection.
🔄 Why does signing out fix Copilot issues?
• It refreshes your access token, which may have expired silently.
🔐 Can antivirus software block Copilot’s response?
• Yes, particularly if it filters scripts or AI cloud traffic.
🧩 Do add-ins affect Copilot’s performance?
• Some can interfere with input parsing or UI rendering, especially in Office apps.
🧰 Is it better to use Copilot on the web or desktop?
• Try both. Web apps often reflect license changes and updates faster.
🧾 How can I tell if my license is the problem?
• If Copilot loads but won’t respond, check that your Copilot add-on is assigned in the Admin Center.
⚙️ What if restarting doesn’t help?
• Try clearing cache, disabling add-ins, and checking Microsoft’s service status.
📊 Can admins restrict Copilot responses?
• Yes. Conditional access policies or group restrictions may cause response issues.
🗣️ What Do You Think?
If you’re facing the Copilot not responding issue, know that you’re not alone. Many users resolve it with simple updates or sign-in resets. Still stuck? Share your case below — others might be experiencing the same problem, and we’re here to help.
📚 Related Guides
• Copilot Invalid Content Error
• Copilot System Error
• Copilot Freezing Or Not Responding
• Copilot Broken After OS Update
📢 About the Author
At AIFixup, our team brings over 5 years of hands-on experience in conceptualizing, developing, and optimizing AI tools. Every piece of content you see on this platform is rooted in real-world expertise and a deep understanding of the AI landscape.
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