Having trouble because your Copilot keeps crashing? Learn how to fix it easily with practical tips, solutions, and real user insights in this complete guide.
What Is the Copilot Keeps Crashing Issue?
If you’ve found yourself wondering why your Copilot keeps crashing, you’re not alone. Many users experience sudden shutdowns, freezing, or unresponsiveness while trying to use Microsoft Copilot—whether within Word, Excel, Teams, or directly through Windows. It can feel frustrating, especially when you rely on Copilot to speed up your daily tasks or generate content. But understanding the root cause is the first step to solving it calmly and effectively.
This issue can happen regardless of how powerful your device is or how updated your software seems. The crash might occur as soon as you open Copilot, during document generation, or while switching between apps. Often, it seems to happen randomly, which makes it harder to pinpoint.
Let’s explore why this problem matters and what to look out for:
- 🧩 Interrupts Your Workflow: Frequent crashes prevent you from completing tasks on time.
- 🔁 Leads to Data Loss: If Copilot crashes during generation, you may lose unsaved work.
- 🛑 Interrupts Accessibility Features: Some accessibility settings rely on Copilot features, affecting user experience.
- 📉 Reduces Productivity: Time spent restarting or troubleshooting affects focus and efficiency.
- 🤯 Causes Frustration and Confusion: It’s hard to know whether the issue is local, account-related, or system-based.
Let’s go step by step to fix the issue and help your Copilot run smoothly again.
📚 Table of Contents
• 🔍 Most Common Causes of Copilot Keeps Crashing
• 🛠️ How to Fix Copilot Keeps Crashing
• 🧪 Advanced Troubleshooting Tips
• 💬 User Experiences
• ❓ FAQ – Copilot Keeps Crashing
• 📚 Related Guides
🔍 Most Common Causes of Copilot Keeps Crashing
Before we dive into the solutions, it helps to understand the typical reasons behind why Copilot keeps crashing for many users. These are not just technical details—they are frequent triggers that are often overlooked.
Here’s a simplified table to guide you:
| ⚠️ Problem Title | 💬 Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🧠 Outdated System Software | Copilot needs the latest Windows and Microsoft 365 updates to function well. |
| 🛠️ Incompatible Add-Ins | Older or third-party Office add-ins may clash with Copilot’s processes. |
| 📡 Internet Instability | A weak or unstable connection interrupts Copilot’s ability to fetch data. |
| 🧰 Copilot System Requirements Not Met | Older systems may not support Copilot efficiently, causing regular crashes. |
| 🔄 Microsoft Copilot Update Error | Failed or partial updates can cause erratic behavior within Copilot tools. |
| 🪫 Lack of System Resources | Running too many apps at once can limit memory Copilot needs to operate. |
| 🗂️ Conflicting Background Processes | Certain system services may interrupt Copilot’s activity unintentionally. |
| 🧱 Windows Copilot Compatibility Issue | Specific Windows builds may not fully support the latest Copilot functions. |
| 🔒 User Account Sync Problems | Copilot depends on Microsoft account sync—errors here lead to crashes. |
| 🧪 Beta or Insider Version Bugs | Using preview builds might come with known or unresolved Copilot bugs. |
🛠️ How to Fix Copilot Keeps Crashing
Now that we’ve identified potential causes, let’s focus on how you can fix the issue. You don’t need advanced skills—just a little patience and willingness to try each step. Whether it’s a quick setting adjustment or a deeper system check, we’ve got you covered.
These practical steps are designed to help anyone dealing with the “Copilot keeps crashing” problem.
1. 🧰 Restart Your Device
🧠 Why it works:
Restarting clears temporary glitches and resets system resources that Copilot depends on.
📌 How to do it:
• Close all open programs
• Restart your computer from the Start menu
• Launch Copilot again and monitor its behavior
2. 🔄 Check for Microsoft 365 Updates
🧠 Why it works:
Copilot relies on the latest Office integration—outdated software often leads to instability.
📌 How to do it:
• Open any Office app
• Go to File > Account > Update Options
• Click “Update Now”
3. 🧱 Ensure Windows Is Up to Date
🧠 Why it works:
The core Copilot engine works closely with Windows components—updates fix known bugs.
📌 How to do it:
• Open Settings > Windows Update
• Click “Check for Updates”
• Restart if updates are installed
4. 🧪 Review Copilot System Requirements
🧠 Why it works:
Systems not meeting the requirements may overload, freeze, or shut Copilot down.
📌 How to do it:
• Confirm you’re using Windows 11 (latest build)
• Ensure RAM is at least 8GB
• Use a Microsoft 365 account linked to Copilot access
5. 🧩 Disable Problematic Add-Ins
🧠 Why it works:
Add-ins can interfere with Copilot’s scripts, leading to unpredictable behavior.
📌 How to do it:
• Open Word or Excel
• Go to File > Options > Add-Ins
• Disable one add-in at a time and restart Copilot
6. 🌐 Test Your Internet Stability
🧠 Why it works:
Copilot processes require stable cloud access. Fluctuations disrupt performance.
📌 How to do it:
• Restart your router
• Try connecting via a different network (like mobile hotspot)
• Run speed test and ensure minimum 10 Mbps
7. 🔄 Sign Out and Re-Sign In
🧠 Why it works:
Resets the token and credentials used by Microsoft Copilot for cloud syncing.
📌 How to do it:
• Go to Settings > Accounts
• Sign out of your Microsoft 365 account
• Reboot and sign back in
8. 🔧 Repair Microsoft Office
🧠 Why it works:
Corrupted Office files can cause Copilot to crash during generation tasks.
📌 How to do it:
• Open Control Panel > Programs
• Select Microsoft 365 > Click “Change”
• Choose “Online Repair”
9. 🧹 Clear Copilot Temporary Files
🧠 Why it works:
Sometimes temp cache or local logs overload the plugin.
📌 How to do it:
• Press Windows + R and type %temp%
• Delete all visible files
• Restart your device and re-open Copilot
10. 🧪 Switch to a Stable Windows Build
🧠 Why it works:
Insider builds or betas may introduce experimental bugs not yet patched.
📌 How to do it:
• Go to Settings > Windows Insider Program
• Opt out and return to Stable Channel
• Reinstall updates via official release
🧪 Advanced Troubleshooting Tips
If none of the basic fixes worked, here are deeper strategies you can try. These steps are ideal for users with moderate technical experience who want to eliminate every possible root cause of why Copilot keeps crashing.
1. 🧠 Change DNS Settings
🧠 Why it works:
Cloud communication with Copilot can fail due to DNS resolution errors.
📌 How to do it:
• Go to Network Settings
• Edit DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google DNS)
• Save and restart
2. 🌐 Check Proxy or VPN Configuration
🧠 Why it works:
Incorrect proxy settings can prevent Copilot from connecting securely to Microsoft servers.
📌 How to do it:
• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy
• Turn off manual proxy setup
• Disconnect VPN if active
3. 🧪 Analyze Logs Using Event Viewer
🧠 Why it works:
Crash logs often indicate the precise trigger, helping target a fix.
📌 How to do it:
• Press Windows + X > Event Viewer
• Go to Windows Logs > Application
• Look for “Copilot” or “Office” related errors
4. 🔍 Use DevTools to Inspect Network Errors
🧠 Why it works:
Office Web Copilot may show failing API calls or delayed responses.
📌 How to do it:
• Open Copilot in Edge browser
• Press F12 to open Developer Tools
• Check “Network” tab for failing requests
5. 🧭 Check Certificate and System Time
🧠 Why it works:
Time mismatch breaks secure authentication with Microsoft services.
📌 How to do it:
• Right-click on system clock > Adjust Date & Time
• Enable automatic sync
• Restart device after applying
💬 User Experiences
Copilot crashed every time I asked it to summarize a report. Updating Office fixed it completely. It’s been stable ever since.
— Maria, Project Manager
I didn’t realize my PC was still running an old Windows version. After the upgrade, Copilot stopped crashing instantly.
— Tom, Software Developer
I had a custom Excel add-in that was clashing with Copilot. I disabled it and everything started working fine again.
— Angela, Financial Analyst
❓ FAQ – Copilot Keeps Crashing
🧠 Why does Copilot only crash in Excel?
• Excel add-ins or complex macros may interfere with Copilot-specific tasks more than other apps.
🛠️ Do I need to meet any hardware specs to run Copilot?
• Yes, check the official Copilot system requirements to ensure full functionality.
🌐 Can my internet affect Copilot stability?
• Absolutely. Copilot relies on real-time cloud processing and a weak connection can cause crashes.
📦 Should I reinstall Office to fix Copilot crashes?
• Try a repair first. Full reinstallation is only needed if repair doesn’t solve it.
🔒 Is my Microsoft account linked properly?
• If account syncing fails, Copilot services may not activate fully.
🔁 What if Copilot crashes right after a Windows update?
• This could be a Microsoft Copilot update error. Check for patches or roll back temporarily.
🪟 Is Copilot fully compatible with Windows 10?
• Not always. Windows Copilot compatibility is optimized for Windows 11.
🔧 How to troubleshoot Copilot during startup crashes?
• Follow a clean boot process and disable non-essential startup items to isolate the cause.
🗣️ What Do You Think?
You are not alone if your Copilot keeps crashing. Many users have faced similar issues, and most were able to fix them with the solutions shared here. If you’re still having trouble or have a tip that worked for you, feel free to leave a comment. Let’s solve it together.
📚 Related Guides
• Copilot iOS Not Working
• Copilot Android Not Working
• Copilot License Error
• Copilot Authorization Error
📢 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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