Microsoft Releases Emergency
Patch for Office 2016 Crashes

Microsoft has released an emergency out-of-band update to fix critical issues in Office 2016 that caused multiple applications to crash. The problems emerged after users installed the KB5002700 security update that was released during the April 2025 Patch Tuesday on April 8.

 The Issue

The emergency fix, identified as KB5002623 and released on April 10, 2025, resolves critical issues that caused Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook to stop responding after the installation of the previous security update. “We’re experiencing an issue on Windows 10 with Office 2016 where Word and Excel no longer open,” reported one affected user on social media. Another user confirmed: “After starting Word it crashes and also Outlook crashes in calendar view. Uninstalling KB5002700 resolved both issues.”

  What Was Impacted

According to Microsoft’s developers in their support document for the emergency update KB5002623, the security update KB5002700 for Office 2016 from April caused Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Outlook to stop responding. Users affected by recent crashes in the suite’s core components need to take action to restore full functionality.

  Important Details About the Update

The update to KB5002623 is intended specifically for the MSI installer-based Microsoft Office 2016 version and does not work with the Office 2016 “click-to-run” versions from Microsoft 365 Home, according to the developers. Office users affected by this issue can download KB5002623 from Microsoft’s Download Center, but it’s important to note that it only applies to the Microsoft Installer (.msi)-based edition of Office 2016.

  How to Fix the Issue

To restore Office 2016 to an executable status, both the patchday update, KB5002700, and then KB5002623 must be installed. The update is available for download via the Microsoft Download Center. Files are available for both 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Office 2016. Users should check which version they are using before downloading. “This update fixes the known issue in KB5002700 that causes Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Outlook to stop responding,” Microsoft stated. “To restore the full Office 2016 suite to a working state, you must have both updates KB5002700 and KB5002623 installed.”

For IT professionals needing to deploy the fix across multiple systems, the update can be distributed through standard enterprise management tools like System Center Configuration Manager. Organizations are advised to save all work before initiating the installation process and consider testing in controlled environments before wide deployment.

 How CinchOps Can Help

Managing critical software updates like these emergency patches can be challenging for businesses, especially when they disrupt productivity. This is where CinchOps managed IT support services can make a difference:

1. Proactive Patch Management: Our team monitors for critical updates and emergency patches, ensuring your systems are protected without disrupting your workflow.
2. Quick Response to Issues: When problems like the Office 2016 crashes occur, our technicians respond rapidly to implement fixes across your organization.
3. Testing Before Deployment: We test patches in controlled environments before rolling them out company-wide, minimizing the risk of disruption.
4. Compatible Software Management: We help identify which versions of software you’re running (like MSI vs. Click-to-Run) to ensure the right updates are applied.
5. Enterprise-wide Deployment: For larger organizations, we can manage deployment through tools like System Center Configuration Manager to ensure all systems are updated efficiently.

Don’t let software update issues derail your business productivity. With CinchOps managing your IT infrastructure, you can focus on your core business while we handle the technical details of keeping your systems running smoothly and securely.

Contact us today to learn how CinchOps can support your business with professional IT management services.

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Discover more about the importance of patch management: Why Patch Management Matters: Keeping Your Systems Secure and Efficient

For Additional Information on this topic, check out: Microsoft Issues Urgent Patch to Resolve Office Update Crashes

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