Fix Application Error 0xc0000142 in Microsoft Office [8 Solutions]

When you start an Office application, you might see 'Error 0xC0000142'. This article offers 8 solutions to help you resolve the error 0xC0000142, including updating Microsoft Office, running SPC and DISM scans, repairing your Office installation, etc.

The popular collaboration package Microsoft Office can be unpleasant to use when problems like 0xc0000142 in Office 365 prevent you from being as productive as possible. The Microsoft Office warning message may appear anytime an application from that suite is utilized. But don't be anxious!

This blog post provides in-depth instructions on how to fix the error code 0xc0000142. Nevertheless, you should be aware of the contributing factors of this error code: malware infestation, registration problems, faulty or damaged system files, and erroneous Microsoft Office installation. And then, read on to learn the detailed steps to fix the 0xc0000142 error on your computer!

Fix 1. Update Microsoft Office

Upgrading Office 365 to edition 2102 or above is one of the most effective ways to avoid this issue from occurring, which may cause Word not opening errors. If you haven't been set up for automatic updates, take into consideration the following procedures for upgrading Microsoft Office:

Step 1. Type Task Scheduler in the search box of the taskbar type.

Step 2. Enlarge the "Task Scheduler Library" and opt for "Microsoft > Office".

Step 3. Find "Office Automatic Updates 2.0" after right-clicking it, and opt for "Run".

Fix 2. Run SFC and DISM Scans

Are your system files misplaced or corrupted? If so, you can conduct SFC and DISM scans to fix the 0xc0000142 error in a jiffy! SFC scan will verify and resolve the damaged system files to return your PC to its natural working condition. Go through the steps below to run SFC and DISM scans:

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows button, and hit "Command Prompt" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".

Step 2. Type sfc/scannow in the Command Prompt, and hit the "Enter" key.

Step 3. Wait for a few minutes to let the SFC scan process complete, and finally restart your PC.

Prior to running DISM, you must have a stable Wi-Fi connection, as you might need to install new copies to alter damaged data. The steps are the following:

Step 1. Hit "Wind + S" to launch the Windows search box.

Step 2. Type "cmd" in the search box.

Step 3. Hit "Run as Administrator" after right-clicking on Command Prompt.

Step 4. Input the command after opening the Command Prompt tab:

Restart your Windows PC after the system scan wraps up to ensure that the issue has been rectified.

Fix 3. Quick Repair Your Office Installation

In case all the aforementioned methods don't work, you may try mending your Office installation, which will help alter any corrupted files with new copies and might fix the issue. Go through the steps below to repair your Office installation:

Step 1. Shut down every open Office program.

Step 2. Launch the "Run" dialog box after hitting "Windows + R".

Step 3. Type appwiz.cpl and hit "Enter".

Step 4. Search for "Microsoft Office" and select it. Hit "Change".

Step 5. To complete the diagnostics process, select "Repair" on the resulting page and follow the instructions displayed on the screen.

Step 6. You can relaunch your Office software after the maintenance process has wrapped up to verify whether the issue has been resolved.

If you think this article helps, share it on social media to help others learn how to fix the error 0xc0000142 when starting an Office application.

Fix 4. Check the Service Status in the Office Software Protection Platform

The Office Software Protection platform is a leading service that is liable for authenticating your Office license. It requires to be functioning for MS Office to work efficiently. Go through the steps below to verify if the service is running:

Step 1. Launch the "Run" dialog box by pressing the keyboard shortcut "Windows + R".

Step 2. You may access the "Services" window by typing services.msc and pressing "Enter".

Step 3. Search for the "Software Protection" services and double-click on it to launch its "Properties" window.

Step 4. Allow "Automatic" to be specified as the "Startup type", and "Running" as the "Service status". If not, hit the "start" button to commence the service. When the service has been prompted, shut down the "Services" window and try launching "MS Office".

Fix 5. Recover Windows Missing System Files

The missing system files might cause this error, and due to that reason, you need robust data recovery software to retrieve them. One effective tool for recovering files is the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, which is often used in different circumstances to retrieve lost system files.

With an excellent recovery rate of 99.7%, a free preview of the files before restoration, a fast scan, and a file filter, this is the best data restoration software for recovering lost files, including misplaced system files from Windows. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Select a location and start scanning

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and choose the partition where you lost system files. Then, click "Search for Lost Data".

Step 2. Filter and preview files

Use the file format filter on the left or upper right corner to find the files you need. If you remember the file name, you can also search in the search box, which is the fastest way to find the target file. Then, you can click the "Preview" button or double-click a file to preview its content.

Step 3. Recover lost data or files

Click the checkbox next to the file and click "Recover" to restore the lost data.

Fix 6. Run Windows Update

The outdated versions of Windows may have bugs. Therefore, you need to ensure your Windows is updated:

Step 1. Launch "Settings" by hitting "Windows + I". Opt for "Update & Security".

Step 2. Hit "Windows Update" on the left side.

Download any available updates. Reboot your PC. Try launching your application.

Fix 7. Reinstall Microsoft Office

Another significant fix is to uninstall MS Office from your PC and then reinstall it. Below are the steps to follow:

Step 1. Hit "Add/remove programs" in the Control Pane of your Windows PC.

Step 2. Search for "MS Office" in the list of installed apps, and hit "uninstall".

Step 3. Adhere to the on-screen guidelines to finish the uninstallation procedure. Visit Microsoft.com and launch the most recently released version of Microsoft Office.

Step 4. Download it on your PC and reboot your system. Now, you need to try relaunching MS Office to check if the error has been fixed.

Fix 8. Update .NET Framework

Some applications require the newest .NET framework. In case your application belongs to one of them, it's mandatory to update it with the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1. Move to the .NET download site in your browser. Opt for the newest .NET framework for your OS.

Step 2. Install the .NET framework after double-clicking on the downloaded file.

Step 3. Restart your PC and try running the application.

Conclusion

To summarize, error code 0xc0000142 in MS Office is a significant error that ensues when an Office app faces issues during its startup, such as imprecise installation of MS Office, damaged system files, and registry issues. This article has demonstrated the top 8 fixes to fix the issue entirely. One of them helps resolve the problem and get your PC running smoothly. Have you lost files while resolving the issue? In that case, the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard needs to be installed to retrieve all the system files.

Fix Error 0xc0000142 in Microsoft Office FAQs

Take a look at these FAQs to develop an improved comprehension of the topic:

1. How to resolve the 0xc0000142 problem code?

Go through the steps below to correct error code 0xc0000142 by re-registering the DLL files with Windows:

Type the following command:

Hit, enter, and shut down the command prompt window, and launch the "Office" app again.

2. What does Outlook's error code 0xc0000142 reveal when it shows up?

Error code 0xc0000142 implies "the program failed to launch properly". It appears that the Office updates needed to be installed appropriately or that the files required to update your Office apps might get damaged.