To fix 0xc0000142, grant admin privileges, uninstall Game Assist, repair corrupted system files, or disable LoadAppInit_DLLs.
The 0xc0000142 Application Error in Windows 10 or 11 usually appears when you turn on the PC or connect a hardware, say an Xbox controller. Basically, the error is triggered when Windows tries to load an app or process, but can’t do so due to corrupted files or misconfigured settings.
In the past, Microsoft Office, games, gaming platforms like Steam, Adobe software, and PIX4Dmatic, amongst others, have been affected by the 0xc0000142 Windows error. When I recently encountered the error, here’s how I fixed it in less than 10 minutes!
How do I fix Application Error 0xc0000142 in Windows?
1. Run the affected app as an administrator
The easiest fix, and one that worked for most users, is to run the affected app with administrative privileges. By affected, I mean the app that’s triggering the error. Its name is listed at the top of the error box. In case it reads, cmd.exe, skip this and move to the other fixes.
Allowing administrator-level privileges helps if you haven’t yet granted the app the critical permissions required for functioning.
- Right-click on the affected app’s launcher and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab, and tick the checkbox for Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
- Restart the PC and check for improvements.
2. Uninstall Game Assist
If you are getting the 0xc0000142 application error for cmd.exe after connecting an Xbox controller, uninstalling the Game Assist app on Windows will do the trick. Here are the steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings, go to Apps, and click on Installed apps.
- Scroll down to the Game Assist app, click on the ellipsis (three dots) next to it, and select Uninstall.
- Again, click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.
- Once the app is removed, restart the computer and check for improvements.
3. Run SFC and DISM
In case you are also facing other issues with the PC, say slow boot or random app crashes, it could be the corrupted system files to blame. And a quick fix for that is to run the SFC scan and DISM tool. Both are built-in and work well in such cases.
- Press the Windows key, type Command Prompt, and click on Run as administrator.
- Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
- Paste the following DISM commands individually and hit Enter after each:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Now, run the SFC scan using this command:
sfc /scannow
- Once done, restart the computer to apply the changes and check for improvements.
4. Disable LoadAppInit_DLLs in the Registry Editor
The LoadAppInit_DLLs function, configurable via the Registry Editor, decides whether the DLL files in AppInit_DLLs are to be loaded. While this may seem like something Windows handles best, and I agree with it, disabling the function has, surprisingly, fixed the 0xc0000142 Windows application error for many. So, give it a try!
- Press the Windows key, type Registry Editor, and click on the relevant result.
- Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
- Paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter (or you can manually navigate to it):
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
- Double-click the LoadAppInit_DLLs entry on the right. Enter 0 under the Value data field, and click OK to save the changes.
Remember, the Registry Editor is not to be tampered with. So don’t make any other changes except for disabling LoadAppInit_DLLs.
5. Reinstall the affected application
Next, you should reinstall the affected application, especially if it’s a third-party software. Sometimes, during the initial app installation, critical components fail to register, which leads to errors like 0xc0000142.
For the steps to uninstall an app, check “Solution 2” and, instead of Game Assist, remove the affected app.
6. Other fixes
Other simpler (or highly advanced) fixes can also help you troubleshoot the application error. Here’s a list of what you should try:
- Install the latest updates for Windows and the affected application.
- Install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables from the official website.
- Scan the PC for malware and viruses.
- Check the Event Viewer for logs, find the faulting component, and repair it.
7. Reset Windows
When nothing else works, the last option is to reset Windows to factory defaults. For the exact steps, check our YouTube tutorial on resetting Windows.
This will wipe out all the data, including personal files and installed apps, but a reset will, in all likelihood, fix the 0xc0000142 application error in Windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Several apps, especially games and Adobe tools, rely on GPU DLLs. Outdated or mismatched drivers can trigger DLL initialization failures. So, update the drivers.
It can. Fast Startup sometimes prevents proper DLL reloading after updates. Disabling it has resolved the error for users after patch installs.
In some cases, yes. A damaged Windows user profile can block DLLs from loading correctly. Creating a new profile often resolves recurring crashes. Check our YouTube tutorial on creating a new local account in Windows.
I hope you have fixed the 0xc0000142 Application Error by now. If not, drop a comment below, and I will suggest more fixes and tricks to get rid of it!
With over five years of experience in the tech industry, Kazim excels at simplifying complex topics, making them accessible to tech enthusiasts and general readers alike. He has contributed to several renowned publications worldwide, including WindowsReport and Allthings.how, bringing insightful coverage of key developments in the field.
Kazim has extensively covered the Windows ecosystem, from the early days of Windows 7 to Windows 11. Unlike many in the field, he’s optimistic about Windows 11, calling it the most user-oriented iteration to date.
When he’s not writing, you’ll find Kazim planning weekend getaways or diving into tech verticals beyond his expertise.
