Error code 0xc0000142 is fairly common and is not a serious issue in most cases. However, it will prevent you from running Microsoft Office, PC games, or other applications. I have had clients come to me with this issue. Since the error code does not directly pinpoint the cause, you will have to use trial and error.
In this article, I have compiled the most effective troubleshooting solutions to fix Error 0xc0000142. I have also provided steps that you can try out for yourself at home.
Table Of Content
- What is Error Code 0xc0000142?
- What Causes Error Code 0xc0000142?
- Is it Possible to Fix Error Code 0xc0000142?
- Troubleshooting Solutions to Fix Error Code 0xc0000142 in Office 365
- Easy Fixes
- Run affected application as administrator
- Repair Office 365
- Troubleshoot Compatibility
- Update Your Windows
- Complicated Fixes
- Use Command Prompt
- Update DirectX (for gaming)
- Repair File
- Update .NET Framework
- Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
- Edit the Windows Registry Key
- Reregister DLL Files in Windows
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Right-click on the application
- Click on Run as Administrator.
- Open Windows Settings.
- Click on Apps and select Installed Apps.
- Locate Microsoft Office, click on the three dots on the left, and select Modify in the drop-down options.
- Select the Quick Repair option and click on Repair.
- Right-click on the application (eg: Word) and select Open File Location.
- Right-click on the same application in the Window and click on Show More Options.
- Select Troubleshoot Compatibility.
- Open Windows Settings.
- In the left column select Windows Updates.
- Click on Check updates.
- Install updates if any.
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type “sfc /scannow” and click on Enter to begin the scan.
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and click on Enter to use the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM).
- Go to the DirectX site and Download it.
- Install the latest DirectX version.
- Restart your Windows computer.
- Verify if the issue has been resolved.
- Go to the .NET site and Download the framework.
- Install the latest .NET version.
- Restart your Windows computer.
- Verify if the issue has been resolved.
- Use the Windows Search bar to locate and open the Control Panel.
- Locate and Choose Uninstall a program.
- Find Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable and uninstall it.
- Download the latest C++ version and install it.
- Use the Windows search bar and locate and open Regedit.
- Type in the following location and search.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Windows - Double-click on the LoadAppInit_DLLs DWORD.
- Then input 0 in the Value data box if that DWORD is set differently.
- Click OK to confirm changes
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.
- Locate and run Command Prompt as administrator.
- Input this command for reregistering DLLs and hit Return:
for %1 in (*.dll) do regsvr32 /s %1 - Then wait until all the DLLs have been registered before closing the Command Prompt.
What is Error Code 0xc0000142?
Error code 0xc0000142 is a common error you may encounter while trying to use Microsoft 365. It occurs when an is an issue while starting up an application. This error code is extremely generic and does not single out any particular cause or reason.
Also known as STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED, Error code 0xc0000142 is presented in the 0x format by 8 hexadecimal digits and is commonly used for representing memory addresses and machine code instructions. For all my tech-savvy readers, this error code indicates an irregularity during the initialization of a Dynamic Link Library.
What Causes Error Code 0xc0000142?
Inconsistencies during Installation – a damaged program file or interrupted installation can cause damage to system files, and corrupt the DLL resulting in the error code.
Version Conflict- If the current version of the application and software are not compatible they will have to be updated. Any sort of mismatch in this department can cause errors.
Security- Certain antivirus or software may consider your application to be a threat and would prevent it from loading.
System File Corruption- Damage to System files or Dynamic Link Library can prevent your application from booting up.
Is it Possible to Fix Error Code 0xc0000142?
Yes, it is. However, since Error Code 0xc0000142 is merely a symptom and does not provide the cause, you may have to try out multiple troubleshooting solutions until one resolves the issue. I have several methods that greatly vary in difficulty. While some are easy, others may not be suitable if you are not sure of what you are doing.
Troubleshooting Solutions to Fix Error Code 0xc0000142 in Office 365
Easy Fixes
Given below are solutions that are easy to carry out and will only take a few minutes.
1. Run the Affected Application as Administrator
Running an application with admin privileges is a simple yet effective way to troubleshoot error 0xc0000142. It will remove any restrictions that might hinder your application’s operations. You can try it out for yourself by following the methods below-
2. Repair Office 365
If you are unable to access Office 365 or any application from the Office suite, then you can always use the built-in quick repair feature to rectify it. You can do so by following the given instructions.
3. Troubleshoot Compatibility
The Troubleshooting compatibility option allows the application and the operating software to work together if they are not compatible due to an error. you can Troubleshoot compatibility by following the steps below-
4. Update Your Windows
Using an older version of Windows may increase the chances of conflict with an updated application. An older version of Windows may also not have received the patch that is required to run certain applications. If you have an older version of Windows you can always update by following these steps.
Complicated Fixes
The troubleshooting solutions that follow may be advanced and may do more harm than good if not done properly. If you are someone who is not familiar with technology, I would suggest that you take the assistance of someone who is or consult with a technician.
1. Use Command Prompt
Commands are extremely useful while troubleshooting problems caused by file corruption. While they are not effective, it is easily accessible and can resolve minor issues. If you aren’t able to fix an issue using a common, upgrading to professional software would work.
a) SFC Scan
b) DISM
2. Update DirectX (for gaming)
Direct X is a collection of APIs (application programming Interfaces) that helps applications (usually games and editing tools) work with the laptop’s hardware(graphics cards, audio cards, etc)to improve the video and audio experience. With an incorrect or outdated version of Direct X, you may experience errors while trying to run a program. To solve this you will have to download and install the latest Direct X version as shown below-
3. Repair File
If there is no fault with the application itself, the problem may lie with the data file. In such cases, I would recommend that you try using the file on another system. If you think that your file may be corrupt or damaged, I would suggest that you use a repair tool from Yodot.
4. Update .NET Framework
Some programs require older .NET Framework versions to run in Windows. So, you might need to enable .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows. You can always download it if you do not have it by-
5. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
C++ is often required to run an application, follow the steps below to fix it-
7. Edit the Windows Registry Key
Several cases involving error code 0xc0000142 have been resolved by editing the Windows registration key. All you have to do is edit the value of a LoadAppInit_DLL DWORD within the Windows key. You can do so by carefully following the instructions provided.
(Note: Run the Regedit as Administrator)
8. Reregister DLL Files in Windows
Last but not least, Reregistering DLL Files has been shown to fix the error 0xc0000142. If DLL files are not recognized or registered properly, it could lead to complications. However, you can rectify this by following the steps below-
Conclusion
Error 0xc0000142 is like the common cold. You may not know the cause but it is easy to handle. I hope that you were able to resolve your error code using this article. However, if you were unable to fix error code 0xc0000142 using the methods given, then I would recommend that you consult with a professional. I would love to hear what you have to say about this article, so if you have any feedback please feel free to let me know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Also known as STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED, Error code 0xc0000142 is common and does not single out any particular cause or reason. It is usually caused by (but not limited to) the following-
1. Inconsistencies during Installation such as a damaged program file or interrupted installation.
2. Outdated application or software
3. Your antivirus recognizes an application as a potential threat.
4. Damage to System files or Dynamic Link Library
DISM or Deployment Image Servicing and Management scan is a command that is used to troubleshoot and use Windows updates to restore corrupted files if any.
The system File Checker (SFC) command is used to scan the system and repair corrupted files to solve Error Code 0xc0000142. It is found to be particularly useful with protected files such as DLL (Dynamic-link library).
