How to fix the Runtime Code 2486 You can't carry out this action at the present time

Symptoms of Code 2486 - You can't carry out this action at the present time

Runtime errors happen without warning. The error message can come up the screen anytime Microsoft Access is run. In fact, the error message or some other dialogue box can come up again and again if not addressed early on.

There may be instances of files deletion or new files appearing. Though this symptom is largely due to virus infection, it can be attributed as a symptom for runtime error, as virus infection is one of the causes for runtime error. User may also experience a sudden drop in internet connection speed, yet again, this is not always the case.

(For illustrative purposes only)

Causes of You can't carry out this action at the present time - Code 2486

During software design, programmers code anticipating the occurrence of errors. However, there are no perfect designs, as errors can be expected even with the best program design. Glitches can happen during runtime if a certain error is not experienced and addressed during design and testing.

Runtime errors are generally caused by incompatible programs running at the same time. It may also occur because of memory problem, a bad graphics driver or virus infection. Whatever the case may be, the problem must be resolved immediately to avoid further problems. Here are ways to remedy the error.

Repair Methods

Runtime errors may be annoying and persistent, but it is not totally hopeless, repairs are available. Here are ways to do it.

If a repair method works for you, please click the upvote button to the left of the answer, this will let other users know which repair method is currently working the best.

Please note: Neither ErrorVault.com nor it's writers claim responsibility for the results of the actions taken from employing any of the repair methods listed on this page - you complete these steps at your own risk.

Method 3 - Update your Virus protection program or download and install the latest Windows Update

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Virus infection causing runtime error on your computer must immediately be prevented, quarantined or deleted. Make sure you update your virus program and run a thorough scan of the computer or, run Windows update so you can get the latest virus definition and fix.

Method 5 - Run Disk Cleanup

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You might also be experiencing runtime error because of a very low free space on your computer.

• You should consider backing up your files and freeing up space on your hard drive
• You can also clear your cache and reboot your computer
• You can also run Disk Cleanup, open your explorer window and right click your main directory (this is usually C: )
• Click Properties and then click Disk Cleanup

Method 1 - Close Conflicting Programs

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When you get a runtime error, keep in mind that it is happening due to programs that are conflicting with each other. The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to stop these conflicting programs.

• Open Task Manager by clicking Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time. This will let you see the list of programs currently running.
• Go to the Processes tab and stop the programs one by one by highlighting each program and clicking the End Process buttom.
• You will need to observe if the error message will reoccur each time you stop a process.
• Once you get to identify which program is causing the error, you may go ahead with the next troubleshooting step, reinstalling the application.

Method 2 - Update / Reinstall Conflicting Programs

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Using Control Panel

• For Windows 7, click the Start Button, then click Control panel, then Uninstall a program
• For Windows 8, click the Start Button, then scroll down and click More Settings, then click Control panel > Uninstall a program.
• For Windows 10, just type Control Panel on the search box and click the result, then click Uninstall a program
• Once inside Programs and Features, click the problem program and click Update or Uninstall.
• If you chose to update, then you will just need to follow the prompt to complete the process, however if you chose to Uninstall, you will follow the prompt to uninstall and then re-download or use the application's installation disk to reinstall the program.

Using Other Methods

• For Windows 7, you may find the list of all installed programs when you click Start and scroll your mouse over the list that appear on the tab. You may see on that list utility for uninstalling the program. You may go ahead and uninstall using utilities available in this tab.
• For Windows 10, you may click Start, then Settings, then choose Apps.
• Scroll down to see the list of Apps and features installed in your computer.
• Click the Program which is causing the runtime error, then you may choose to uninstall or click Advanced options to reset the application.

Method 4 - Re-install Runtime Libraries

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You might be getting the error because of an update, like the MS Visual C++ package which might not be installed properly or completely. What you can do then is to uninstall the current package and install a fresh copy.

• Uninstall the package by going to Programs and Features, find and highlight the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.
• Click Uninstall on top of the list, and when it is done, reboot your computer.
• Download the latest redistributable package from Microsoft then install it.

Method 6 - Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

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If the error is related to a bad graphics driver, then you may do the following:

• Open your Device Manager, locate the graphics driver
• Right click the video card driver then click uninstall, then restart your computer

Method 7 - IE related Runtime Error

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If the error you are getting is related to the Internet Explorer, you may do the following:

1. Reset your browser.
• For Windows 7, you may click Start, go to Control Panel, then click Internet Options on the left side. Then you can click Advanced tab then click the Reset button.
• For Windows 8 and 10, you may click search and type Internet Options, then go to Advanced tab and click Reset.
2. Disable script debugging and error notifications.
• On the same Internet Options window, you may go to Advanced tab and look for Disable script debugging
• Put a check mark on the radio button
• At the same time, uncheck the "Display a Notification about every Script Error" item and then click Apply and OK, then reboot your computer.

If these quick fixes do not work, you can always backup files and run repair reinstall on your computer. However, you can do that later when the solutions listed here did not do the job.

Other languages:

Wie beheben Fehler 2486 (Sie können diese Aktion derzeit nicht ausführen) - Sie können diese Aktion derzeit nicht ausführen.@Sie haben versucht, ein Makro auszuführen oder das DoCmd-Objekt in Visual Basic verwendet, um eine Aktion auszuführen. Microsoft Office Access führt jedoch eine andere Aktivität durch, die die Ausführung dieser Aktion verhindert
Come fissare Errore 2486 (Al momento non puoi eseguire questa azione) - Al momento non è possibile eseguire questa azione.@Si è tentato di eseguire una macro o si è utilizzato l'oggetto DoCmd in Visual Basic per eseguire un'azione. Tuttavia, Microsoft Office Access sta eseguendo un'altra attività che impedisce l'esecuzione di questa azione
Hoe maak je Fout 2486 (U kunt deze actie momenteel niet uitvoeren) - U kunt deze actie op dit moment niet uitvoeren.@U heeft geprobeerd een macro uit te voeren of u heeft het DoCmd-object in Visual Basic gebruikt om een ​​actie uit te voeren. Microsoft Office Access voert echter een andere activiteit uit waardoor deze actie niet kan worden uitgevoerd
Comment réparer Erreur 2486 (Vous ne pouvez pas effectuer cette action pour le moment) - Vous ne pouvez pas effectuer cette action pour le moment.@Vous avez essayé d'exécuter une macro ou avez utilisé l'objet DoCmd dans Visual Basic pour effectuer une action. Cependant, Microsoft Office Access exécute une autre activité qui empêche cette action d'être effectuée
어떻게 고치는 지 오류 2486 (현재 이 작업을 수행할 수 없습니다.) - 지금은 이 작업을 수행할 수 없습니다.@ 매크로를 실행하려고 하거나 Visual Basic에서 DoCmd 개체를 사용하여 작업을 수행하려고 했습니다. 그러나 Microsoft Office Access는 이 작업이 수행되지 않도록 하는 다른 활동을 수행하고 있습니다.
Como corrigir o Erro 2486 (Você não pode realizar esta ação no momento) - Você não pode realizar esta ação no momento. @ Você tentou executar uma macro ou usou o objeto DoCmd no Visual Basic para realizar uma ação. No entanto, o Microsoft Office Access está executando outra atividade que impede que essa ação seja realizada
Hur man åtgärdar Fel 2486 (Du kan inte utföra den här åtgärden för närvarande) - Du kan inte utföra den här åtgärden för närvarande.@Du försökte köra ett makro eller använde DoCmd -objektet i Visual Basic för att utföra en åtgärd. Microsoft Office Access utför dock en annan aktivitet som förhindrar att denna åtgärd utförs
Как исправить Ошибка 2486 (Вы не можете выполнить это действие в настоящее время) - Вы не можете выполнить это действие в настоящее время. @ Вы пытались запустить макрос или использовали объект DoCmd в Visual Basic для выполнения действия. Однако Microsoft Office Access выполняет другое действие, которое препятствует выполнению этого действия.
Jak naprawić Błąd 2486 (W chwili obecnej nie możesz wykonać tej czynności) - Nie możesz wykonać tej akcji w chwili obecnej.@Próbowałeś uruchomić makro lub użyłeś obiektu DoCmd w Visual Basic do wykonania akcji. Jednak Microsoft Office Access wykonuje inną czynność, która uniemożliwia wykonanie tej czynności
Cómo arreglar Error 2486 (No puedes realizar esta acción en este momento.) - No puede realizar esta acción en este momento. @ Intentó ejecutar una macro o utilizó el objeto DoCmd en Visual Basic para realizar una acción. Sin embargo, Microsoft Office Access está realizando otra actividad que impide que se lleve a cabo esta acción.

About The Author: Phil Hart has been a Microsoft Community Contributor since 2010. With a current point score over 100,000, they've contributed more than 3000 answers in the Microsoft Support forums and have created almost 200 new help articles in the Technet Wiki.

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