0XC0000142.dll

What Is 0xc0000142?

0xc0000142 is a Windows application error code, not the name of a real DLL file. The full message typically appears as:

“The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142). Click OK to close the application.”

This error occurs before Windows finishes loading a required DLL, meaning the problem comes from:

• A corrupted DLL
• A mismatched or incompatible DLL
• A damaged application installation
• Missing Visual C++ runtimes
• System-level corruption (SFC/DISM issues)

Even though 0xc0000142.dll is not an official Windows or game DLL, users often search for it because they believe replacing a DLL will fix the error. This is why two uploaded variants exist — they are attempts to repair the underlying DLL failure.

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Why This Error Happens

0xc0000142 maps to the internal NT status:

STATUS_DLL_INIT_FAILED

This indicates a DLL required by the application:

• failed to initialize
• returned an invalid startup status
• couldn’t be loaded due to version conflicts
• could not be found or was corrupted

In short: 👉 The application crashed while loading one of its dependent DLLs.

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Common Causes

1. Corrupted or mismatched DLL files

This includes:

• ucrtbase.dll
• kernel32.dll
• vcruntime140.dll
• Game-specific DLLs
• Anti-cheat DLLs (EasyAntiCheat, BattlEye)
• GPU runtime DLLs (NVIDIA/AMD)

2. Missing runtimes

• Visual C++ Redistributables
• .NET Framework
• DirectX Runtime (June 2010)

3. Damaged application files

Repacks, mods, and cracked versions commonly trigger this error.

4. Outdated or broken GPU drivers

Games depending on AMD/NVIDIA runtime DLLs often fail here.

5. System file corruption

Bad updates, malware, or failed shutdowns can corrupt core Windows DLLs.

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Check if Your Antivirus Quarantined the DLL

Sometimes the DLL is present, but your antivirus flagged or quarantined it. This is common with:

• Modded game DLLs
• Custom loaders or patch files
• DLLs with unusual names (like error codes)
• Recently downloaded or unsigned libraries

How to Check

1. Open your antivirus or Windows Security.
2. Go to Protection History or Quarantine.
3. Look for entries involving:
   • The DLL name
   • The game folder
   • “Suspicious behavior” or “unknown file”

If You Find the DLL There

• Restore it from quarantine.
• Add the game folder to Exception/Allow List (only if you trust the source).

Note: Some antivirus tools will remove DLLs even if they are harmless, especially files used by modded, offline, or custom game launchers.

If It Repeatedly Gets Quarantined

This usually means:

• The DLL is unsigned
• File behavior looks unusual
• It belongs to a mod or patched game

You may need to whitelist the game directory or obtain a clean version of the DLL.

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About the Uploaded Files (0xc0000142.dll Variants)

Two user-submitted DLLs exist in the repository. They are not official Microsoft files and do not belong to any known Windows distribution.

These files likely originate from:

• Community fixes
• Game directory DLL dumps
• Unofficial patches or modded versions

They may help only in edge cases where:

• A specific game bundled a custom DLL
• A mod required it
• The user previously deleted the file expecting it to fix the error

In most cases, however: 👉 Replacing a DLL named “0xc0000142.dll” will not fix the actual 0xc0000142 error.

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How to Fix the 0xc0000142 Error

1. Repair System Files

Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as administrator and use SFC and DISM, which fix the underlying DLLs:

Run DISM

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Then run SFC

sfc /scannow

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2. Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributables

Most 0xc0000142 failures come from runtime DLLs.

Install all versions:

• 2005 → 2022
• x86 and x64

You can get the full bundle from Microsoft. Here are a set of links to official redistributables: https://www.dllme.com/redistributables.php

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3. Update GPU Drivers

NVIDIA/AMD/Intel drivers frequently cause this error when:

• DX12 components fail
• Shader cache is corrupted
• Game DLLs mismatch GPU API DLLs

Perform a clean install using:

• NVIDIA Clean Install
• AMD Factory Reset
• DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) if needed

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4. Verify or Reinstall the Affected Application

For games:

• Steam → Verify Integrity
• Epic/GOG → Repair
• Riot/Ubisoft → Repair in launcher

For desktop apps:

• Reinstall completely
• Remove leftover files in %ProgramFiles% and %AppData%

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5. Check for Problematic Mods

Mods that replace DLLs (e.g., d3d9.dll, dxgi.dll, reshade, ENB, Vulkan wrappers) are a common cause.

Remove them temporarily to test.

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6. As a Last Resort: Try the Uploaded DLL Variants

If:

• You manually deleted a file
• A game actually included a 0xc0000142.dll
• The application expects a specific custom DLL

Then the uploaded variants may help.

But keep in mind:

• These are not official Windows files
• They are community-provided
• They should only be used if the software originally had them

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Security Notice

Because DLL files related to this error are often spread in downloadable “error fix packs,” they can be quarantined.

For safety:

• Prefer repairing Windows with SFC/DISM
• Avoid random fix tools
• Use DLL replacements only when you trust the source or know the app originally used that DLL
• Inspect your Antivirus quarantine to see if the file was isolated

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Summary

0xc0000142 is a Windows system error, not a DLL file. It happens when a required DLL fails to initialize, often due to corrupt or mismatched runtimes.

The two DLL variants uploaded to DLLme may help in rare situations, but most users should fix the root cause using:

• SFC/DISM
• Visual C++ reinstalls
• Application repair
• Clean GPU drivers
• Removing problematic mods

Use DLL replacements only when the application originally shipped with a file of that name.