Office update Version 2505 (Build 18827.20164) has broken Access Database applications

Hi Scottle - Australia, 

Thank you for replying, and the information that you have given to me I really appreciate it.    

To determine when the Microsoft Office update issue causing blank buttons and forms is resolved, so you can safely re-enable automatic updates, follow these steps: 

1. Monitor Microsoft’s Official Release Notes:   Check the Microsoft 365 Apps Release Notes for updates on fixes related to blank buttons or forms. Microsoft publishes release notes for Current Channel releases on their Microsoft Learn page. Look for entries addressing UI issues, such as buttons or forms not rendering correctly, in versions newer than 16.0.17531.20152 (the version you rolled back to). For example, recent notes have fixed issues like "Resolved an issue where table row markers were missing from the ruler" or "graphics-related issues causing the app to close unexpectedly," which could be related.
2. Check the Microsoft 365 Admin Center:  
   1. If you have access to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, visit the Software Updates page under the Microsoft 365 Apps tab. This page, refreshed every 48 hours, shows compliance charts for security and feature updates. Look for notifications about resolved UI issues in newer builds. This requires diagnostic data sharing and appropriate admin roles (e.g., Global Reader).
3. Follow Microsoft Support and Community Channels:  
   1. Monitor the Microsoft Support website for articles on Office update issues. Search for terms like “Office blank buttons” or “forms not rendering” to find relevant fixes.
   2. Check community forums like Reddit (e.g., r/o365) or Microsoft Community for user reports on the issue being resolved in newer updates. For example, a Reddit thread discussed update issues with Microsoft 365 Apps, which could provide user-driven insights.
4. Test Updates in a Controlled Environment:  
   1. Before re-enabling updates for all users, test a newer version in a sandbox or on a single machine. Re-enable updates manually:  
      1. Open Word, go to File > Account > Update Options > Enable Updates.
      2. Run the command to update to the latest version: "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe" /update user in Command Prompt (as Administrator).
      3. Verify if the blank buttons/forms issue persists. If resolved, the new version is safe to deploy.
5. Contact Microsoft Support:  
   1. If you’re unsure about the status of the issue, contact Microsoft Support via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center or phone support. Provide details about the issue (blank buttons/forms) and your current version (16.0.17531.20152). They can confirm if a specific update addresses it.
6. Check Update History:  
   1. Review the Overview of update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps - Microsoft 365 Apps | Microsoft Learn  to identify when a fix for UI rendering issues was released. Look for versions post-April 2024 (when 16.0.17531.20152 was current) that mention fixes for blank UI elements.

Recommendations: 

• Stay on Current Channel: Ensure your Office installation remains on the Current Channel for the latest fixes. You can verify this in File > Account > About in any Office app.
• Enable Automatic Updates Safely: Once you confirm the issue is fixed (via release notes or testing), re-enable automatic updates to stay secure. Go to File > Account > Update Options > Enable Updates, or adjust the registry if Group Policy restricts this:  
  • Open Registry Editor (regedit as Administrator).
  • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\common\OfficeUpdate.
  • Set EnableAutomaticUpdates to 1 and HideEnableDisableUpdates to 0.
• Backup Before Updating: Before applying updates, back up critical files to avoid data loss if issues persist.

Notes: 

• The issue with blank buttons and forms could stem from graphics-related bugs or compatibility issues, as seen in fixes for similar problems in recent updates (e.g., graphics-related crashes or ActiveX control issues).
• If your organization uses Group Policy to manage updates, consult your IT admin to ensure updates are re-enabled correctly, as policies may override manual settings.
• If the issue persists or you need specific version details, let me know, and I can help refine the approach or check for more recent updates!

We truly appreciate your patience as we look into this matter. Thank you for choosing Microsoft and we value your support. 

Best regards.      

Sting-Ng - Microsoft Community Support Specialist.

This is a confirmed bug and threads regarding this issue are surfacing in all the major forums. I've created a blog posting on the matter: https://www.devhut.net/no-labels-rendering-displaying-on-microsoft-access-command-buttons/

You've implemented the solutions and we need to wait for Microsoft to issue a proper fix.

Hi,

Some days ago I reported a bug to Microsoft where many of the captions on buttons disappear. There are a few forum discussions about this. However, this only happens in version 2506 in Current Channel Preview (i.e. a beta/insider channel), not in version 2505 in Current Channel (also not in its current build 18827.20164). Microsoft will fix the problem before version 2506 gets to the "productive" Current Channel.

So, your problem seems to be a different one, also because of the second symptom you mention:

Can you explain what you mean by "forms appearing blank"? No controls visible any more or what happened?

BTW Your roll-back to a build from May 2024 seems a bit heavy. Usually it's sufficient to go back 1 or 2 builds.

Servus
Karl
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Access Forever News DevCon
Access-Entwickler-Konferenz AEK

Hi Scottle - Australia, 

Have a good day !

I value your feedback, please mark it as an answer if it answer your question and click Yes to help me improve the support experience.  

It's so important for me to mark it as an answer. It's help me to have a good motivation forward.

I appreciate your patience with me.    
Looking forward to your response and have a great day ahead!!  
  
Best regards.  

Sting-Ng - Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi, I've updated my Microsoft 365 up to date. Version 2505 Build 18827.20176.

Where's the 'focus cell'? Highlight a certain cell in Column and Row?

Is it because it's Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021?

I do really need that function, it's so much easier to locate a cell for all purpose.