Office 2016 Problems After Update KB5002700? Fixes Inside Word, Excel, Outlook Issues

Office 2016 Update KB5002700 Causing Problems? Here's How to Fix It

Microsoft Office 2016 remains a reliable suite for many users. However, a recent Microsoft update, KB5002700, is causing unexpected issues for some. If your Office 2016 is malfunctioning after this update, you are not alone. Fortunately, solutions are available.

Understanding the Issues

Users report problems after installing update KB5002700 via Windows Update on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Word and Excel are crashing when opening or creating documents. Outlook users are stuck in the calendar view, unable to access email.

Microsoft's Official Solution: KB5002623

Microsoft acknowledges the problem and has released a patch, KB5002623, to address it. This patch is not automatically distributed through Windows Update currently. You must manually download KB5002623 from the official Microsoft Update Catalog website. Search for KB5002623, download the correct version for your system, and install it. This official patch should resolve the issues.

Quick Workarounds to Try

If you need immediate temporary fixes, consider these options:

Outlook Calendar Fix: Adjust Weather Settings

An unexpected workaround for Outlook calendar problems involves weather settings:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Go to File, then Options.
3. Select Calendar.
4. Find "Show weather" and toggle the setting on or off. Check the box if unchecked, or uncheck if checked.
5. Restart Outlook and check if the calendar issue is resolved.

Word Crashing Fix: Disable Adobe PDF Maker Add-in

If Word is crashing, the Adobe PDF Maker add-in could be the cause. Disable it with these steps:

1. Open Word.
2. Go to File, then Options.
3. Click Add-ins.
4. At the bottom, next to "Manage:", select "COM Add-ins" and click Go.
5. Locate "Adobe PDF Maker" in the list. Uncheck the box next to it if found.
6. Click OK and restart Word.

Note that this workaround may not be universally effective.

Advanced Solution: Uninstall KB5002700 Update

For a more technical approach, uninstalling the KB5002700 update is possible. This involves using the Registry Editor and Command Prompt. Proceed with caution and only if comfortable with these steps, as incorrect registry modifications can lead to system instability. It is recommended to try the official KB5002623 patch first.

Steps to Uninstall KB5002700 (Advanced Users Only):

1. Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Uninstall Key:
   • 64-bit Windows: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
   • 32-bit Windows: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
3. Search for Office 2016 Subsections and GUID: Explore subkeys under Uninstall and find those related to Office 2016. Record the GUID for your Office 2016 installation.
4. Download KB5002700 Installer: Go to Microsoft Update Catalog and search for KB5002700. Download the installer.
5. Extract Files from Installer:
   1. Go to your Downloads folder.
   2. Shift + Right-click in the folder, select "Open command window here" or "Open PowerShell window here".
   3. Run: mso2016-kb5002700-fullfile-x64-glb.exe /extract:C:\\KB5002700 (adjust filename if needed). A KB5002700 folder will be created in C: drive.
6. Get the New GUID/Edition Number:
   1. Go to C:\\KB5002700.
   2. Right-click the .msp file, select Properties, then Details tab.
   3. Copy the value of "GUID" or "Edition Number". This is your new GUID.
7. Uninstall Update with Command Prompt:
   1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
   2. Run: msiexec.exe /package {old GUID} /uninstall {new GUID} /qn
   3. Replace {old GUID} with your Office 2016 GUID (step 3).
   4. Replace {new GUID} with the new GUID/Edition Number (step 6).
   5. Press Enter and let the command complete.
8. Restart Your PC: After the command finishes, restart your computer.

This advanced method carries risks. Attempt the official KB5002623 patch and workarounds first.

It is frustrating when updates cause problems. Hopefully, one of these solutions will restore smooth operation to your Office 2016. Begin with the official KB5002623 patch. If that is unsuccessful, try the workarounds or the more complex removal method. Good luck.