Windows Error 0xC0000142 — Application Init Failed

Windows error 0xC0000142 means the application failed to initialize properly, often due to corrupted system DLLs or compatibility issues. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED — DLL initialization failure. Application could not load required DLL files. Common with Office, AutoCAD, and games. May appear as "Application was unable to start correctly". Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: Corrupted system DLLs (ntdll.dll, kernel32.dll). Incompatible software conflicting with the application. Corrupted application installation. Windows system file corruption. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Run sfc /scannow to repair system DLLs. Reinstall the affected application. Perform a clean boot to isolate conflicts. Re-register system DLLs: for %i in (%systemroot%\system32\*.dll) do regsvr32.exe /s %i. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Windows Error Codes collection on Error Codes Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.