Fix: "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142)" in Steam

You just bought a new game on Steam, clicked "Play," and instantly hit a brick wall with this frustrating pop-up: "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142). Click OK to close the application."

This is one of the most common Windows initialization errors. It essentially means the game tried to load a vital background file (usually a .dll associated with graphics or controllers), but that file is missing, corrupted, or completely outdated.

The fastest way to fix error 0xc0000142 in Steam is to navigate to the game's installation folder and manually reinstall the VC_redist.x64.exe (Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable) file. If the file isn't in the folder, verifying the game files through Steam or running an SFC scan via the Command Prompt will replace the missing core components.

Let's break down the exact, step-by-step methods to permanently resolve this error so you can get back to gaming.

Method 1: The Visual C++ Redistributable Fix (Most Successful)

Whenever a Steam game (like Control, Cyberpunk 2077, or GTA V) throws this exact error code, the culprit is almost always a broken Microsoft Visual C++ package.

Instead of downloading it blindly from the internet, check the game folder first. Developers often bundle the exact version the game needs right inside the installation path.

Open Steam, right-click the game throwing the error, and select Properties.
Go to the Installed Files tab and click Browse.
In the game folder, look for a folder named _CommonRedist, vcredist, or simply search the folder for VC_redist.x64.exe.
Double-click the installer and select Repair or Install.
Restart your PC and launch the game.

Pro Tip: If you cannot find the file in the game folder, you must download the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package directly from Microsoft's official site. Be sure to install both the x86 and x64 versions.

Method 2: Verify Integrity of Game Files

Steam has a built-in diagnostic tool that checks your game files against the official servers. If a background update accidentally deleted a required .dll file causing the 0xc0000142 crash, Steam will find it.

Open your Steam Library.
Right-click the broken game and click Properties.
Select the Installed Files tab on the left.
Click the Verify integrity of game files button.
Let Steam scan the folder. If it finds corrupted files, it will automatically download clean replacements.

Method 3: Force Admin Rights and Compatibility Mode

Sometimes, Windows 11 blocks a game from accessing essential system folders in the background, triggering the failure to start. You need to elevate the game's permissions.

Navigate to the game's installation folder (using the "Browse" method from Step 1).
Right-click the game's main .exe application file and select Properties.
Switch to the Compatibility tab.
Check the box for Run this program as an administrator.
(Optional but recommended for older games) Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: and select Windows 8 or Windows 7.
Click Apply, then OK, and launch the game directly from that folder.

Initialization errors aren't just limited to Steam. If you frequently play competitive tactical shooters and recently upgraded to Windows 11, you might also run into strict anti-cheat blocks. Check out our complete guide on how to fix the Valorant Vanguard VAN 1067 error to ensure your BIOS security settings are properly configured for modern gaming.

Method 4: Re-Register Corrupted Windows DLLs

If multiple games or different apps are giving you the 0xc0000142 error, the problem isn't Steam; it is your Windows operating system. Your system's registry has lost track of where its DLL files are.

Click the Windows Start button and type cmd.
Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Copy and paste the following command exactly as written, then hit Enter: for %i in (%windir%\system32\*.dll) do regsvr32.exe /s %i
Once that finishes scanning, run the second command: for %i in (%windir%\system32\*.ocx) do regsvr32.exe /s %i
Restart your PC. This forces Windows to completely re-link all of its core application files.

Method 5: Run a System File Checker (SFC) Scan

If malware or a bad Windows Update deleted critical system files, you can force Windows to repair itself using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator again.
Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
Wait for the verification to reach 100%. If Windows finds corrupted files, it will repair them automatically using cached copies.
Restart your computer.

A Note for EA Games on Steam (Battlefield, Madden, Apex Legends)

If you are getting the 0xc0000142 error specifically on an Electronic Arts game launched through Steam, the culprit is often the EA Anti-Cheat service failing to initialize. Navigate to C:\Program Files\EA\AC, run the EAAntiCheat.Installer.exe, select your game from the dropdown, and click Repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What causes error code 0xc0000142 in Windows? This error is an initialization failure. It occurs when an application tries to start but a critical background file (usually a .dll file from Microsoft Visual C++ or DirectX) is missing, corrupted, or incompatible with your OS.

2. Does reinstalling a Steam game fix 0xc0000142? Sometimes, but it is rarely the most efficient fix. Before deleting a massive game, simply run Steam's "Verify Integrity of Game Files" tool, which will pinpoint and redownload only the broken files in a fraction of the time.

3. Why do I get 0xc0000142 after a Windows Update? Major Windows updates occasionally replace custom software drivers with generic Microsoft ones, or they can silently un-register older DLL files that your games rely on to launch.

4. Can bad RAM cause the 0xc0000142 error? While physical hardware failure is rarely the root cause, severe memory leaks or failing RAM sticks can occasionally corrupt software environments as they load, leading to similar application crashes.

5. Does updating DirectX fix 0xc0000142? Yes. If the error is tied to graphical rendering, downloading the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft will restore the missing XInput or D3D DLL files needed to launch the game.

6. How do I fix 0xc0000142 specifically on Windows 11? Windows 11 handles legacy software differently. Running the game in Compatibility Mode (set to Windows 8), running it as an Administrator, and performing an SFC scan are the most effective fixes.

7. Is the 0xc0000142 error caused by a virus? The error itself is not a virus; it is a standard Windows alert. However, aggressive malware can delete or quarantine the essential .exe or .dll files that trigger this error to appear.

8. How do I fix the EA app 0xc0000142 error on Steam? This is typically caused by a background conflict with EA Anti-Cheat. Close Steam completely, navigate to the EA Anti-Cheat folder in your Program Files, and run the installer executable to repair the anti-cheat service.

9. What does "The application was unable to start correctly" actually mean? It means the operating system could not successfully construct the software environment required to execute the program. The program aborted the launch to prevent further system instability.

10. Do I need to update my graphics drivers for 0xc0000142? It is highly recommended. Outdated or corrupted NVIDIA or AMD GPU drivers can conflict with modern game DLLs, causing the application to crash immediately upon initialization.