How to Fix “The Password you Supplied is Not Correct Excel” Error?

Written By Tej Pratap Shukla

Approved By Anuraag Singh

Modified On February 11th, 2026

Reading Time 6 Min Read

Are you also frustrated with this message, “the password you supplied is not correct Excel”, while you are entering the correct password? If yes, then don’t worry. Here, we will explain all the possible methods to resolve the error “Excel not accepting correct password” without losing any data. Let’s start the process one by one.

MS Excel application allows you to manage your crucial and sensitive data in cells and columns for many work-like financial reports, client databases, and internal business records. And to keep your data safe, you can protect your spreadsheet with a password.

Now, suppose you know the correct password, but suddenly you face this “The password you supplied is not correct” error.

This message can be frustrating for anyone, especially when you are entering the right password to unprotect your file. Don’t panic, this guide will explain the best ways to fix the “the password you supplied is not correct” Excel error.

Why “Excel Not Accepting Correct Password” Error Appear?

Before choosing any fixing technique to recover Excel password, it is important to understand the root cause of this error. Because this error doesn’t mean you are always typing the wrong password. Let’s understand:

Case-Sensitive Passwords: It means that maybe you are confused between uppercase and lowercase letters, even a small variation like “Report2024” instead of “report2024” makes the password incorrect.
Keyboard Layout Issues: Also, sometimes a wrong keyboard configuration can cause this error. Maybe your system keyboard has changed, for example, from English to another regional language. Or maybe certain characters and symbols are entered differently.
Caps Lock or Num Lock Enabled: Another frequent cause of “the password you supplied is not correct Excel” error is activation of Caps Lock or Num Lock keys. So, check whenever you enter the password.
Forgotten or Misremembered Password: Forgot Excel file password is a common situation. It happens when you want to open an old archived file or one created by someone else.
File Corruption: If your Excel file is corrupted due to improper download, storage issue or system crashes, then “the Excel not accepting correct password” error will appear.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps to Fix “The Password You Supplied is Not Correct Excel”

Before heading to the technical techniques, try to use these basic steps to fix the error:

Re-enter the password carefully – Try to put the password slowly and manually, and avoid copy-paste.
Check Keyboard Language – Try to switch your keyboard back to the original.
Try Old or Alternate Passwords – Try to use old or alternate passwords, like with or without special characters, old office passwords, and numeric suffixes.
Ask File Owner: If you are trying to open a file that was not created by you, then ask the owner for the password.

How to Fix “Excel Not Accepting Correct Password” Error?

After following basic troubleshooting, if the problem is not sorted out. Then follow the mentioned techniques to fix the “the password you supplied is not correct Excel” error:

Change File Extension
VBA Code
Professional Solution for Fixing the Error

Method 1: Change File Extension

Create a backup of your file.
Locate your file and rename it from .xlsx to .zip.
Now, unzipped the file.
Find the .xml file extension and open it.
Now search for “SheetProtection” using “Ctrl + F” key.
If you find this, then remove it from the file.
And save it again.
Again, zip it, rename it to .xlsx format.

Method 2: Using VBA Code

Firstly, open a new empty file.
Hit the “Alt + F11” keys to access the VBA Editor.
Select the “Insert” >> “Module” options.
And now you have to copy-paste the given command:

Sub PasswordBreaker()
Dim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer
Dim l As Integer, m As Integer, n As Integer
Dim i1 As Integer, i2 As Integer, i3 As Integer
On Error Resume Next
For i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66
For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66
For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For n = 32 To 126
ActiveSheet.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(n)
If ActiveSheet.ProtectContents = False Then
MsgBox “Password is ” & Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(n)
Exit Sub
End If
Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next: Next
End Sub
Hit F5 to run the macro.
Possibly a pop-up will appear.

Method 3: “The Password You Supplied is Not Correct Excel”: Safest Technique

If nothing else works and you are still facing this error, you should use the SysTools Excel Password Recovery Tool. This is the only trustworthy, verified solution to fix the “The password you supplied is not correct” Excel error. This software can find the exact password guaranteed without losing originality. Download the free demo edition and understand how it works:

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How to Fix the Error Using the Solution?

Download the suggested solution and install it.
After that, add your locked file using the Browse button.
Choose the Recovery Mode, If you don’t know the password, choose Unknown Password, and if you know anything about the password, then choose the “Partially Know Password” option.
Choose any settings according to the information you know.
And then select the Recover button to fix the “the password you supplied is not correct Excel” error.
After completing the procedure, a pop-up will appear, and choose the OK icon.

Why is this a Solution to Fix the “Excel Not Accepting Correct Password”

This software can crack partially known and unknown passwords with a guarantee.
It can solve the errors of both XLSX and XLS formats of Excel files.
Also, a Microsoft Excel installation is required for a faster recovery process.
This software is 100% safe and secure; it doesn’t save your crucial information and works in offline mode.
This solution is compatible with all types of characters, including Uppercase letters, Lowercase letters, Numerical Numbers, Special Characters, Space, or Tabs.
It maintains the original data of Excel files, including headers, Text, cells, column data, font types and style, and other data.

Time to Say Goodbye

This blog has explained the best and possible methods to fix the “the password you supplied is not correct Excel” error using VBA Code, by changing the file extension, and an automatic solution. You can try basic troubleshooting and manual techniques, and if it doesn’t work, then you should go for the automatic solution. because this is the last option to find the accurate password with a guarantee. You can try the free demo version to guess the first 2 characters of the password. You can contact us through live chat support for any query.