Fix: The Application Was Unable to Start Correctly (0xc0000142)

Isn’t it annoying? You try to open a program and it returns an error message; “the application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142)”. We know how you feel, dejected, disappointed, angry, all at once.

The error code 0xc0000142 appears most of the time when you try to open a game or a graphic intensive application like Autodesk. Why does it happen? How do you escape from this menace? Don’t worry, we are going to deal with the same here.

How to Fix “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142)” Error?

Of course, you want to know the solutions. Getting an idea about the causes behind the issue doesn’t hurt, does it? If you don’t want to know that, feel free to skip the first part to jump right into the fixes.

Error 0xc0000142; Why does it Appear?

We have already told you about the context of this issue. When you try to open a graphic intensive program like a game or Autodesk, you may see this error code popping up. Why does it happen?

Reason 1: Compatibility Problem

The old versions or outdated programs exhibit compatibility issues. Let’s say your computer runs on Windows 11 and you try to run an old application that was already there before you update the OS. In such a situation, you may come across an error 0xc0000142.

Reason 2: Outdated Drivers

You know a driver tells the hardware how to function. If the same software stays outdated, you will have trouble getting the peripherals to work in the way they are supposed to. So, this may be another reason behind the error.

Reason 3: System Files Missing or Corrupted

Every operating system has a set of files needed for the smooth working of the device. You might have already seen some of them in the C drive of Windows. When one of them goes missing or corrupted, you will find it difficult to run programs.

Now that you have got an idea of how the error might have arisen, we are going to check out the meat of this article.

Also Read:

Error 0xc0000142; How to Fix?

We have compiled all the possible fixes here. You can see them in the order of their difficulty. So feel free to start from the first and go to the next only if you can’t get around the issue.

1. Restart the Computer

Most of you might have already tried this issue. If you haven’t, you should do this. Go to the Start menu and restart right away. Feeble issues won’t be there when you come back.

2. Uninstall Latest Updates

Ask yourself. Has your computer received any updates recently? We are going to remove the latest ones. How do you do that?

Go to Settings>> Update and security>> Windows updates>> Advanced options>> View your updates history. You will get the details of all the installed updates there. Just right-click on the one you want to delete. You will get the option to remove it.

3. Update Windows

You saw that sometimes having an updated operating system is a menace. Weirdly enough, not going for the update causes all the fuss. In case the first method didn’t work out, you can try updating the system.

For that, follow Start>> Settings>> Windows Update (on Windows 10, you will have to go for Start>> Settings >> Update & Security>> Windows Update). You will see all the available updates there.

4. Update the Program

We don’t know what program you are having issues with. Whatever it is, check whether or not the latest update has hit the web. You can check their website or use the in-app option to check for updates.

Don’t hesitate to install the available update. You have nothing to lose. Remember, the program has already gone useless due to the application being unable to start correctly 0xc0000142 error.

5. Check if the Important Programs are Available

We have already told you the error happens when you try to launch graphic-intensive titles. Microsoft needs you to have a few programs to run them. Have a look at the below list and make sure your computer has all of them. Don’t forget to update them to the latest version as well.

DirectX
Microsoft .Net Framework
Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Use this link to download the setup files of these programs. Run them to install these right away.

6. Make Sure Date/ Time is Right

We know you haven’t resolved the issue yet. Don’t worry. The next solution we have is simple. You have to send your eyes to the system tray and check if the time and date are correct.

If they are not, follow Start>> Settings>> Time & language>> Date & time. You can correct both from there. Also, make sure the CMOS battery is intact.

7. End Task and Try Again

You have to open the Task Manager first. Press Ctrl+ Shift+ Esc. On the window, you have to move to the Processes tab. Find out the one you are having problems with. Right-click and hit End task.

To be on the safe shore, restart the computer. Now, get back and open the app yet again. You may not get the error this time.

8. Enter SFC and DISM Commands

Open the start menu and search for Command Prompt. You will have to run it as an administrator. Enter the following command.

sfc /scannow

When the scan finishes up, restart the computer and open CMD as an administrator again to type the following commands.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for the command prompt to finish the process. Just like the previous time, restart the computer.

9. Disable Programs on Startup

You know Windows has some programs that start when the system boots up. Though you can’t remove the mandatory apps, you can disable some items. For that, follow the steps given below.

Hit the Win key+ R to launch the Run dialogue box.
Enter mscofig into the text box.
Tick Hide all Microsoft Services checkbox and hit Disable all
Go to the Startup tab now. Press Disable all there too.
When you do all these steps, click Ok and restart the computer.
If you don’t see 0xc0000142 error this time, the issue is with one of those startup programs. Enable one and restart. Repeat the process until you find the culprit.

There you go. We feel you have solved the trouble by now. In case you haven’t, proceed to the next solution.

10. Run the Software in Compatibility Mode

If your operating system is new, you are going to skip the hindrance by following these steps.

Right-click on the program icon you are having issues with.
Go to Properties>> Compatibility tab>> Run compatibility troubleshooter.

Another window will appear where you have to choose the Try recommended settings.
Now hit the Test the program Does it run without any issues?
If it worked, close the program and go with Yes, save these settings for this program.
If it didn’t work, click Cancel and open Properties>> Compatibility
Select Windows 7 from the dropdown below Run this program in compatibility mode for.
Click Ok and run the program.

Oh, didn’t it work? We have got a few more fixes.

11. Have a Look at the Registry

We are going to open the registry editor here to see if the LoadAppInit DLLs key has been changed.

Press Win key+ R to open the Run dialogue box.
Enter regedit to open the registry editor.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Windows.
Open LoadAppInit DLLs key from the right pane and change its value to 0.
Restart the computer and check if the issue persists.

Do not give up at this point. You still have to try half a dozen fixes. Who knows, the extra time you spent solving the issue may pay off.

12. Change System Locale

You must select the right region. Living in the US and having the UK as your region on your computer will evoke issues like the application was unable to start correctly 0xc0000142. Here, we are going to change the region to the right one.

Open the Start menu and search for the Control panel.
When you open the Control panel, view the items as small icons.
Now, click Region.
On the next dialogue box, press the Change system locale
Don’t forget to choose the correct region from the list and hit Ok.

There you go!

13. Modify the Program

Most people find this method fruitful when they face 0xc0000142 error with Microsoft Office. It corrects the configuration which could have been done automatically during the installation.

Open Settings (you can use Win key+ I).
Go to Apps and click on Apps& Features from the left area.
You will get a list of the installed applications there. Click on the one you are experiencing problems with.
Now select Modify. Don’t forget to go with the prompts shown on the screen.
Wait some time and restart the computer.

We hope you have solved the issue. Oh no? We got a few other fixes.

14. Update GPU Driver

Do you have a graphics card in your computer? Chances are the driver is outdated. Just visit the website of the manufacturer. Look for the driver available exclusively to the model you possess. Download the setup file and install the same.

15. Register DLL Files

We hope you know how to run the command prompt as an administrator now. Enter the following lines into CMD.

for %i in (%windir%\system32\*.dll) do regsvr32.exe/s %i

for %i in (%windir%\system32\*.ocx) do regsvr32.exe/s %i

Don’t forget to restart the computer. Check whether or not the issue has disappeared.

16. Modify Group Policy Editor

Group policy editor can prevent programs from accessing command prompt. We are going to revoke the option.

Open the Run dialogue box and enter msc into the text box.
Follow Administrative Templates>> System.
Right-click on Prevent access to the command prompt and choose Edit from the context menu.
You can go with Not Configured or Disable. Press Ok.

Restart the computer to see if there is that issue still present.

17. Reinstall the Software

We know reinstalling a program is not a complicated process. However, we have kept this procedure as the last method because you shouldn’t rely upon this as the primary solution.

If all the other methods given here don’t work, you can travel the extra inch to remove the program and go for a clean install. We do hope you won’t have to do that because one of the sixteen methods given above should work.

Conclusion

So, how’s it? Are you still getting the application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142) error? Leave a comment below. Don’t hesitate to add another procedure that worked for you. We will update this article with that method soon.