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Office Toolbar Icons Showing an X? How to Fix It

Steven
Jun 15, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Sep 27

You open Excel, Word or Outlook, and some of the toolbar icons show an X instead of the normal picture. Restarting the app doesn't help, and neither does rebooting. It usually shows up in every Office app at once, like this:


Office ribbon with X symbols instead of toolbar icons
Toolbar icons replaced with an X

The buttons usually still work, but it's hard to find anything when the icons are missing. The cause is almost always damaged Office files or a problem with the graphics driver. Here's how I fix it, from the quickest option to the most thorough.



Fix 1: Update Office


A bad or half-finished update can leave Office with missing icons. Getting it fully up to date is the easiest place to start.


  1. Open any Office app, like Word.

  2. Go to File > Account.

  3. Click Update Options > Update Now.

  4. Close all Office apps when asked, then open them again once the update finishes.



Fix 2: Run a Quick Repair


Quick Repair checks and replaces damaged Office files without needing the internet. It takes a few minutes.


  1. Close all Office apps.

  2. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (on Windows 10: Settings > Apps > Apps & features).

  3. Find Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office, click the three dots and choose Modify.

  4. Click Yes on the security prompt, choose Quick Repair and click Repair.

  5. When it finishes, open Word or Excel and check the icons.



Fix 3: Run an Online Repair


If Quick Repair doesn't fix it, Online Repair reinstalls Office from scratch. It takes longer and needs an internet connection, but it fixes most problems Quick Repair can't. Follow the same steps as above, but choose Online Repair instead.


Your documents and emails aren't touched. You may need to sign in to Office again afterwards.



Fix 4: Update Your Graphics Driver


Office uses your graphics card to draw its toolbars. An old or corrupted graphics driver can make icons show up blank or as an X.


  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any updates, including optional driver updates under Advanced options > Optional updates.

  2. Or use your computer maker's update tool, like Dell SupportAssist, HP Support Assistant or Lenovo Vantage, to get the latest graphics driver.

  3. Restart your computer.

  4. Open your Office apps again.



Still Stuck?


If the icons still aren't showing, IT-Tech can connect remotely and get Office working properly.


Book a remote support session and we'll get you sorted out.

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