- Users are experiencing the "application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142) error" on their PCs due to missing DLL files, but it can be easily fixed.
- To fix the error, users can run the program in compatibility mode, perform SFC and DISM scans, update Windows, make changes in the Registry, end processes in Task Manager, and clean boot Windows.
- Other solutions include configuring Command Prompt settings, changing the System Locale, manually downloading DLL files, and disabling high-impact startup applications in Task Manager.
Users have reported facing an application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142) error when they try to run a program on their PC. The complete error message may read as-
‘The application is unable to start correctly (0xc0000142). Click OK to close the application.’.
The message most commonly occurs because of missing DLL files. If the DLL files are deleted by mistake or go missing, then you may get the application was unable to start correctly 0xc0000142 error. There’s nothing to worry about if you are facing this error as it is easy to fix.
Fix Application Error 0xc0000142 in Windows
In this article, we will be discussing how you can fix The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000142) error on your Windows PC.
Run The Program In Compatibility Mode
The very first thing to do is to run the program in compatibility mode. Many users have reported that going by this solution has helped them out and fixed the issue for them. To run the program in compatibility mode, follow the steps given below-
- On your desktop, right-click on the application with which you are facing the error.
- Now from the context menu that opens up, click on Properties.
- In the Properties window, head to the Compatibility tab.
- Here, click on the Run Compatibility Troubleshooter button and then on Try Recommended Settings.
- Next, click on Test the program and wait for the process to complete.
- Once done, click on Yes, and save the settings for this program.
- Now, check the checkbox for Run this program compatibility mode for, and then from the drop-down menu select Windows 7.
- After doing so, check the checkbox for Run this program as an administrator. Now, click on Apply and then click on OK.
Run SFC And DISM Scan
You are likely to face this error due to corrupted or missing DLL files. By running SFC and DISM scan, you will be able to fix the issue. Firstly, you should run the SFC scan and then the DISM scan. To run an SFC scan, follow the steps given below-
- Open the Start Menu on your keyboard by pressing the Windows key.
- In the Start Menu, search for CMD. Right-click on Command Prompt from the search result and then click on Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow and hit Enter to execute the command.
- Wait for the process to complete and then restart your PC.
This should most probably fix the issue. If the SFC scan didn’t fix the issue, then you should try running the DISM. To run DISM, follow the steps given below-
- Run the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. You can do so by following the above steps.
- Now in the Command Prompt, type and execute the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
- The process will start after you execute the command. After the process is completed, restart your PC and the issue should be fixed.
Update Windows
You may also face the issue if you are on an outdated version of Windows. You should try updating the Windows to fix the issue you have been facing. To update Windows, follow the steps given below-
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start Menu.
- In the Start Menu, search for Check for updates and hit Enter.
- On the next window that opens up, click on Check for updates.
- Now download and install all the updates you find and then restart your PC to save the changes.
Making Changes To The Registry
Another thing to troubleshoot The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000142) error on your PC is by making changes to the Registry. To do so, follow the steps given below-
- Press the Windows + X key combo, and then from the menu that opens up click on Windows Admin (Terminal).
- In the Windows Terminal, type and execute the command reg add “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows” /v “LoadAppInit_DLLs” /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
- After executing the command, restart your PC to make changes to the Registry.
End Process In Task Manager
You should try ending the task and all the related processes in the Task Manager and then try running the program again.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc key combo to open the Task Manager on your PC.
- Head to the Processes tab in the Task Manager.
- In the Processes tab, select the program you are facing the issue with. Click on the program, and then click on End Task.
- Do the same for all the related tasks to the program you are trying to run.
- Now restart the app, and the issue should be fixed by now.
Configuring Command Prompt Settings
Now the very next step is to change the Command Prompt configurations. If the settings of the Command Prompt are not configured properly then you are likely to face the issue. To configure the command prompt settings, follow the steps given below-
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start Menu.
- In the Start Menu, search for Command Prompt and hit Enter to open the Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt, execute the command for %i in (%windir%\system32\*.ocx) do regsvr32.exe /s %i
- After the process is completed, restart your PC and the issue should be fixed.
Changing The System Locale
Another thing to do is to change the System Locale. If the correct region is not selected then you may face this error on your PC. to change the System Locale, follow the steps given below-
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start Menu.
- In the Start Menu, search for Control Panel and hit Enter to open the Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel, search for Regions and click on it.
- Head to the Administrative tab in the Control Panel.
- Here, click on Change System Locale, and then from the drop-down menu, select the correct region. Next, click on OK to change the System Locale.
Manually Download The DLL File
As we have discussed, you may face the issue due to missing DLL files. If that is the case, then you should manually download the DLL file. To do so, follow the steps given below-
- Firstly, download the DLL files from this link.
- After you have downloaded the file, copy it.
- Now head to the folder where you have installed the application and paste the files.
- When asked to replace the files, replace them.
- After you are done, restart the application and the issue should be fixed.
Clean Boot Windows
If none of the above steps fixed the issue for you, then you should clean boot Windows. To do so, follow the steps given below-
- Open the Start Menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
- In the Start Menu, search for System Configuration and hit Enter.
- In the System Configuration window, head to the Services tab.
- Here, check the checkbox for Hide all Microsoft services and then click on Disable all.
- Now, head to the Startup tab, and click on Open Task Manager.
- After doing so, select the application with high startup impact, and click on Disable. Do the same for all the applications with high startup impact.
- Now restart your PC and run the application again.
Conclusion
These are all the ways to fix The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000142). If you have been facing this error on your Windows PC, then you should try following the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this article and the issue should be fixed.
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