Microsoft Excel KB5002914 update breaks copy and paste for some users September 10, 2026 Microsoft Excel users report that this week's KB5002914 Office security update is breaking copy-and-paste operations and formula dragging, with affected users saying that removing or rolling back the update restores normal functionality. Microsoft released the security update this week as part of its September 2026 Patch Tuesday , and reports of the problem soon appeared on both Reddit and the Microsoft Q&A forums . "It seems that security update kb5002914 might have bricked autofill and copy paste in Excel 2016," a Reddit user reported. Other users confirmed similar problems, with one saying copy and paste and formula dragging no longer worked and that their entire team was blocked after most employees had already installed the update. Another user reported that copy/paste shortcuts and formula dragging no longer worked. Similar reports have appeared in the Microsoft Q&A forums, where users say copying and pasting no longer work after the September 9 update. Reports indicate the problem isn't limited to a single Office release or installation method. One user reported the same issue on Office LTSC Standard 2021, while another said it affects both MSI and Click-to-Run installations and Office versions ranging from 2016 through 2024. Removing or rolling back the update restores functionality Affected users report that uninstalling KB5002914 from MSI-based Office installations restores Excel's copy-and-paste functionality. One Microsoft Q&A user shared the following PowerShell command for removing the update: "This worked for me; copy-and-paste is working again," the user reported. For Click-to-Run installations, another user said downgrading the Office build using XML or Group Policy also resolves the problem. Another workaround being shared among affected users involves leaving KB5002914 installed but replacing the updated excel.exe executable with an older version. BleepingComputer does not recommend using this workaround, as replacing individual Office binaries with files from an older version could leave the installation with mismatched files and potentially cause other stability, compatibility, or security problems. Microsoft told BleepingComputer that it is aware of the reports and is investigating, and will share guidance as it becomes available. Update 9/11/26: Microsoft has now formally acknowledged the bug, adding it as a known issue to the KB5002914 release notes . "In Microsoft Excel 2024, 2021, 2019, and 2016, the paste operation might fail silently. Although users try to paste content, the source remains selected and the destination is unmodified. When this issue occurs, users receive no indication of the failure, such as a beep or error message. Microsoft is researching the issue and will post more information in this article when the information becomes available." Build your security blueprint for AI-powered attacks Join Mikko Hyppönen and security leaders from the NFL, CHANEL, and Atlassian for a two-hour digital summit on what AI-speed attacks change, what defenders should stop doing, and how to validate, decide, fix, and re-validate at machine speed. Related Articles: Microsoft confirms KB5002914 Excel update breaks copy and paste Microsoft fixes known issue causing Windows Defender crashes Microsoft releases emergency Windows updates to fix RDS failures Microsoft: September updates cause RDS failures on Windows Server Microsoft: September updates break audio on some Windows PCs Microsoft Office Security Update

Previous Article frac - 4 days ago I don't think 2019 is affected, but for Office 2021 LTSC, roll back with: officec2rclient.exe /update admin displaylevel=false updatetoversion=16.0.14334.20848 I don't think 2019 is affected, but for Office 2021 LTSC, roll back with: officec2rclient.exe /update admin displaylevel=false updatetoversion=16.0.14334.20848 Deroda - 4 days ago " ... BleepingComputer tested Excel 2019 Version 2508 (Build 19127.20302 Click-to-Run) and was unable to reproduce the reported copy-and-paste or autofill problems. ..." Release date Version number October 14, 2025 Version 2508 (Build 19127.20302) No wonder you cannot reproduce the bug... " ... BleepingComputer tested Excel 2019 Version 2508 (Build 19127.20302 Click-to-Run) and was unable to reproduce the reported copy-and-paste or autofill problems. ..." Release date Version number October 14, 2025 Version 2508 (Build 19127.20302) No wonder you cannot reproduce the bug... Lawrence Abrams - 4 days ago Yup, that explains it :) I removed that useless bit of info. Will try with a newer version. Yup, that explains it :) I removed that useless bit of info. Will try with a newer version. frac - 2 days ago New versions are released on September 12 confirm fixes the issue. New versions are released on September 12 confirm fixes the issue. fastxaxe - 15 hours ago "New versions are released on September 12 confirm fixes the issue." Where are they? "New versions are released on September 12 confirm fixes the issue." Where are they? Not a member yet? Register Now You may also like: Microsoft releases emergency Windows updates to fix RDS failures Microsoft releases emergency Windows updates to fix RDS failures Dutch NCSC: Critical Check Point VPN flaws exploitation is imminent Dutch NCSC: Critical Check Point VPN flaws exploitation is imminent Microsoft: September updates cause RDS failures on Windows Server Microsoft: September updates cause RDS failures on Windows Server Overdue a password health-check? Audit your Active Directory for free Overdue a password health-check? Audit your Active Directory for free Patch automation needs more than speed. Action1 brings control into every stage of deployment. Patch automation needs more than speed. Action1 brings control into every stage of deployment. Watch a working exploit hit live controls and see exactly what blocks, detects, or misses Watch a working exploit hit live controls and see exactly what blocks, detects, or misses EtherHiding Malware on macOS: How Attackers Hide C2 on the Blockchain EtherHiding Malware on macOS: How Attackers Hide C2 on the Blockchain Find your gaps before an auditor does. Check your EU CRA readiness in 5 questions. Find your gaps before an auditor does. Check your EU CRA readiness in 5 questions. Stay one step ahead of new threats in the new year. Join Huntress for the monthly Tradecraft Tuesday. Stay one step ahead of new threats in the new year. Join Huntress for the monthly Tradecraft Tuesday.