There have been reports from Windows users getting prompt error message such as Application Error: “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc00007b). Click OK to close the application” The error usually appears whenever users try to open a game and or an application. Clicking the OK option only closes the app but does not actually solves the problem. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series, we will talk about the common causes why this error occurs and the recommended solutions that you can try to fix Error 0xc00007b on Windows 10.

What to do if Error 0xc00007b (The application was unable to start correctly) occurs

There are several reasons that may have caused Windows 0xc000007berror message (The application was unable to start correctly) to occur such as an invalid image format, incorrect redistributables, an outdated Windows version, to issues with the application’s administrative privileges. If you are experiencing Error code 0xc00007b (The application was unable to start correctly) when trying to run an application, try the following solutions below to fix it.

But before performing the recommended solutions below, it’s best to restart your computer. This action refreshes the operating system and removes corrupt temporary data that may be the culprit for this error code to occur.

Solution 1: Check for and install Windows update

Once computer completely reboots, try running an application again and then check if error code 0xc000007b (The application was unable to start correctly) still occurs.

Solution 2: Run the program as an Administrator

There are applications that requires Administrative privileges that when there is no admin access, error can occur upon running the application. To fix this, you may need to run as administrator on the programs that’s experiencing the error.

To do this:

1. Right click on the shortcut icon of the application that experiences the 0xc000007b error.
2. Click Run as Administrator from the drop down menu. If prompt message User account control (UAC) appears, click Yes.

Another option to Run as Administrator:

1. Right click on the shortcut icon of the application that experiences the 0xc000007b error.
2. Select Properties from the drop down menu.
3. At Properties windows, click Compatibility tab.
4. Under Settings section on Compatibility tab, click the option Run this program as an administrator.
5. Click Apply to apply changes made.
6. Click OK to exit.

Run an application again and then check if 0xc000007b error (The application was unable to start correctly) still occurs.

Solution 3: Update .NET framework

If .NET framework is not installed properly or is outdated, it can cause errors on your computer. In this case, getting 0xc000007b error (The application was unable to start correctly).

To do this:

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open RUN dialog box.
2. At RUN box, type Control Panel and press Enter or click OK.
3. Make sure View by located at the upper right is set to Large icons.
4. Click Programs and Features
5. At left pane, click the option “Turn Windows features on or off”. A new window opens.
6. On Windows Features window, click .NET framework 3.5 and press OK. Windows will now start and check for available updates.
7. Restart computer.

Once computer completely reboots, run an application again and then check if 0xc000007b error (The application was unable to start correctly) still occurs.

Solution 4: Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Although Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is an important component with Windows Application, there are however instances where errors can occur such as Error 0xc00007b.

To do this:

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open RUN dialog box.
2. At RUN box, type Control Panel and press Enter or click OK.
3. Make sure View by located at the upper right is set to Category
4. Under Programs, click Uninstall a program
5. Locate all Microsoft Visual C++ runtime packages, right click on each of them and click Uninstall from the drop down menu.
6. After all Microsoft visual C++ Redistributable has been uninstalled, restart computer.
7. Once computer completely reboots, go to Microsoft website to download and reinstall Microsoft visual C runtime packages.

Run an application again and then check if error code 0xc000007b (The application was unable to start correctly) still occurs.

Solution 5: Run CHKDSK

To scan for the computer’s hard drive for issues, you might need to run CHKDSK at the command prompt. Since there are times when there are problems with the hard drive it can also cause Error 0xc000007b to occur.

To do this:

1. Type Command prompt at the search bar located at the lower left.
2. Right click on Command prompt result and click RUN as Administrator from the drop down menu. This will open an Elevated Command Prompt window
3. At Elevated command prompt, type “chkdsk /f /r ” command and press Enter.
4. A prompt message will appear asking the user the option to run the scan at a scheduled time the next time the system restarts. Click Y at elevated command prompt and press Enter
5. Restart computer.
6. When computer reboots, CHKDSK will start running automatically to scan the hard drive on your computer. Wait for the process to complete.
7. After CHKDSK process is complete, Windows will then boot.

Check if error code 0xc000007b (The application was unable to start correctly) still occurs.

Solution 6: Check System files

If there is a corrupt system files present on your computer it can cause errors and problems such 0xc000007b error. To fix this, you might need to check system files and run DISM or Deployment Image Servicing and Management.

To do this:

1. Type Command prompt at the search bar located at the lower left.
2. Right click on Command prompt result and click RUN as Administrator from the drop down menu. This will open an Elevated Command Prompt window
3. At Elevated command prompt, type the command “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. Checking system files process will now start. Wait for the process to complete as it can take some time.
4. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press Enter. Wait for each command to complete as it can take some time.
5. Type DISM /Online/Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth and press Enter. Wait for each command to complete as it can take some time.
6. Type DISM /Online/Cleanup-Image /startcomponentcleanup and press Enter
7. Restart computer.

Once computer completely reboots, try running an application again and then check if error code 0xc000007b (The application was unable to start correctly) still occurs.

Solution 7: Reinstall the application that shows the error message

If the mentioned solutions above did not fix error 0xc000007b on Windows, you might need to uninstall and then reinstall the application that is showing the error message.

To do this:

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard to open RUN dialog box.
2. At RUN box, type Control Panel and press Enter or click OK.
3. Inside control panel window, make sure View by located at the upper right is set to Large icons.
4. Click Programs and Features
5. Locate the problematic application from the list of applications.
6. Right click on the application and click on Uninstall from the drop down menu
7. Restart computer.
8. Go to the application’s official website to reinstall the application.

Once application has been reinstalled, check if error code 0xc000007b (The application was unable to start correctly) still occurs.

After following the steps mentioned, you will successfully fix error code 0xc000007b on Windows 10. Visit our TheDroidGuy Youtube Channel for more troubleshooting videos.

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