If PowerPoint is crashing frequently, it’s frustrating but usually fixable with some troubleshooting. The goal is to pinpoint what’s causing it—whether it’s the app, your file, or your system—and get it stable again. Here’s what I’d do, step by step.
First, restart your computer. It’s basic, but it clears out temporary glitches that might be gumming things up. Open PowerPoint again and test with a blank presentation—if it still crashes, the issue’s likely with the program itself, not your file. Next, check for updates: go to “File” > “Account” > “Update Options” > “Update Now.” Microsoft often patches bugs that cause crashes, so running the latest version could sort it out.
If it’s crashing with a specific presentation, open it in Safe Mode—hold Ctrl while clicking the PowerPoint icon, then say yes to Safe Mode. This disables add-ins and some features, letting you see if it loads without dying. If it does, the culprit might be an add-in. Head to “File” > “Options” > “Add-ins,” switch “COM Add-ins” from the dropdown, and click “Go.” Uncheck all add-ins, restart PowerPoint normally, and re-enable them one by one to find the troublemaker.
Still crashing? Repair the installation. On Windows, go to Control Panel > “Programs and Features,” find Microsoft Office, click “Change,” and pick “Quick Repair” (online “Full Repair” if that fails). On a Mac, you’d uninstall Office via the Applications folder, then reinstall from your Microsoft account. This fixes corrupted files without touching your docs.
If it’s just one file tanking things, it might be corrupt. Open a new presentation, go to “Insert” > “Slides From” > “Reuse Slides,” and import the slides from the problem file—sometimes this salvages the content without the glitch. Also, check your system: low RAM (less than 4GB free), outdated graphics drivers, or a dying hard drive can trip PowerPoint up. Update drivers via your computer’s manufacturer site, and free up space if your disk’s full.
Last resort, disable hardware acceleration in PowerPoint (“File” > “Options” > “Advanced” > uncheck “Disable hardware graphics acceleration”) — it stops fancy rendering that older systems can’t handle. Test after each fix to narrow it down.
