STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED 0xC0000142

Hex 0xC0000142 · Decimal -1073741502 · Type NTSTATUS

WINDOWS

Initialization of the dynamic link library … failed. The process is terminating abnormally.

Also searched as: 0xc0000142, error 0xc0000142, application was unable to start correctly 0xc0000142

Windows troubleshooting diagram: Device Manager warning and a system file scan
Windows errors: check drivers, system files and Event Viewer, in that order.

What it means

0xC0000142 "The application was unable to start correctly" means a DLL loaded by the program failed during its initialization. It affects games, Office apps, cmd.exe and tools launched at startup. The DLL exists but could not set itself up, often due to damaged runtimes, conflicting software or desktop heap exhaustion.

Applies to: Windows 10, Windows 11

How to fix STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED

  1. Restart the computer and try again
  2. Run the program as administrator and, for older software, try Properties > Compatibility > Run this program in compatibility mode
  3. Install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages for both x64 and x86 from Microsoft's website, and repair existing ones from Settings > Apps > Installed apps
  4. Perform a clean boot (msconfig > Services > Hide all Microsoft services > Disable all, then disable startup items in Task Manager) to find conflicting software
  5. Reinstall or repair the affected program, and for games verify files in the launcher
  6. Repair system files from an elevated Command Prompt or Terminal (Admin): run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth first, then sfc /scannow, and restart when both finish

Why it happens

A DLL's startup routine fails because of corrupted or mismatched dependencies, injected third-party hooks such as overlays or security tools, or too many processes exhausting desktop resources.

FAQ

Why do many programs fail with 0xc0000142 at once?

System-wide causes such as corrupted system files or a conflicting startup program are likely; try a clean boot and SFC.

Is 0xc0000142 the same as 0xc000007b?

No. 0xc000007b means a wrong-architecture image; 0xc0000142 means a DLL failed to initialize.

Related errors

STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED_LOGOFFSTATUS_DLL_NOT_FOUNDSTATUS_DLL_MIGHT_BE_INCOMPATIBLESTATUS_DLL_MIGHT_BE_INSECUREWU_E_PT_HTTP_STATUS_SERVICE_UNAVAILWU_E_PT_HTTP_STATUS_FORBIDDENWU_E_UH_INSTALLERFAILUREWU_E_DM_NOTDOWNLOADED

Source: Microsoft ntstatus.h · fixes written and reviewed by the editors (see our editorial policy)

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