Error 0xC0000142 in Windows: the application failed to start (Application Error)

0xC0000142 usually appears as an Application Error window with the text:

The application was unable to start correctly (0xC0000142). Click OK to close the application.

Technically, this is the status STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED — the application starts, but during the loading/initialization of one of the libraries (DLL) or dependencies, a failure occurs.

Typical Causes

• Dependencies of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable are corrupted or missing (often VC++ 2015–2022, but can also be 2010/2012/2013).
• Failure/conflict when loading DLL from the application folder (replaced files after mods, "repacks", third-party patches).
• Corruption of Windows system components (WinSxS, system DLLs).
• Conflicting injectors/overlays: Discord Overlay, GeForce Experience, RivaTuner/RTSS, recordings, hooks, anti-cheats.
• Launch blocked by antivirus/Controlled Folder Access (Ransomware Protection).
• Incorrect compatibility settings or launch from a non-standard environment (for example, from an outdated launcher).

Quick Diagnosis: What Exactly Is Failing

1) Check the Event Log (often shows "Faulting module")

1. Press Win + R → type eventvwr.msc.
2. Windows Logs → Application.
3. Find the error by the time the application was launched.
4. Pay attention to the fields:
   • Faulting application name
   • Faulting module name (DLL)
   • Exception code

If the module is, for example, VCRUNTIME140.dll, MSVCP140.dll, ucrtbase.dll, KERNELBASE.dll — this almost always points to VC++/UCRT dependencies or corruption of system files.

Method 1: Remove "Simple" Obstacles (Permissions/Compatibility)

1. Right-click on .exe → Properties → Compatibility tab:
   • uncheck "Run this program in compatibility mode..." (if enabled);
   • try Run as administrator (if not enabled).
2. Move the application to a "normal" path without Cyrillic/long paths (for the duration of the check), for example:
   • C:\Games\App\
   • C:\Tools\App\

If the application starts after changing compatibility — the problem was in the settings/access restrictions.

Method 2: Reinstall/Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (most common fix)

Many programs require several packages at once, and it is important to install both x86 and x64 (even on 64-bit Windows, because 32-bit applications use x86).

1. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
2. Find all Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.
3. For key packages (especially 2015–2022) click Change → Repair (if available).
4. If it didn’t help — uninstall the 2015–2022 packages and reinstall them from the Microsoft website:
   • Visual C++ 2015–2022 x64
   • Visual C++ 2015–2022 x86
5. Restart your PC.

A sign that you hit the target: the error disappears or changes to a more specific one (for example, "DLL not found"), after which it is easier to address it specifically.

Method 3: Restore Windows System Files (SFC and DISM)

Open Windows Terminal / PowerShell / CMD as administrator and execute:

sfc /scannow

Wait for it to finish. If SFC found errors but didn’t fix everything — execute:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After that, restart your computer and check the launch.

Method 4: Disable Overlays, Hooks, and "Optimizers"

For games and applications with anti-cheat/protection, 0xC0000142 is often caused by third-party injections into the process.

For the duration of the diagnosis:

• disable Discord Overlay;
• disable GeForce Experience Overlay (In-Game Overlay);
• close MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner Statistics Server;
• disable background recording/streaming (Xbox Game Bar, third-party recorders);
• temporarily disable antivirus or add the application folder to exclusions.

If everything launches after disabling — enable them one by one to find the culprit.

Method 5: Verify Application File Integrity (especially Steam/Epic/launchers)

If this is a game/client:

• Steam → Properties → Installed Files → Verify Integrity
• Epic Games → three dots on the game → Verify
• Battle.net / EA App / Ubisoft Connect → usually has Repair/Verify

This restores the original DLLs and removes the effects of mods/incomplete installations.

Method 6: Clean Boot of Windows (if the error is "floating")

If you suspect a conflict of services/drivers:

1. Win + R → msconfig
2. Services tab → "Hide all Microsoft services" → Disable all
3. Startup tab → open Task Manager → disable unnecessary items
4. Restart → check launch

If it works in a clean boot — enable services/startup items in groups until you find the conflict.

What NOT to Do

• Do not download individual DLLs from dubious websites and do not replace them manually: you can get a virus or an incompatible version.
• Do not "fix" the problem with random sets of "All in One Runtimes" from unverified sources — better to use official Microsoft packages.

Useful Tips

• If the error occurs only with one program, while others work — its files/dependencies are likely corrupted.
• If the error appears with many programs at once, system components (SFC/DISM) or global interceptors (overlays/antivirus) are often to blame.
• For precise identification of the problematic DLL, it is convenient to refer to Event Viewer: it often directly indicates the "faulting module".

Conclusion

The error 0xC0000142 in Windows indicates a failure in initializing DLL/dependencies at startup. In most cases, the following helps:

1. restoring/reinstalling Visual C++ Redistributable (x86+x64),
2. checking system files SFC/DISM,
3. disabling overlays/antivirus blocks and verifying application file integrity.