0X00003716

Fix SXS_IDENTITIES_DIFFERENT (0X00003716)

EP
Erropedia Team
📅 May 30, 2026 📅 Updated Jul 31, 2026 👁 18 views Windows Errors Intermediate
Two DLLs or components have the same file name but different identities. The fix is reinstalling the problem app or running SFC and DISM.

You're stuck with error 0X00003716

It usually pops up when you try to start a program or install an update. The full message says The component identities are different. That's Windows telling you two files have the same name but don't match internally. Frustrating, but fixable.

The real fix: reinstall the broken program

In my experience, 9 out of 10 times this error is tied to one specific app. The fastest path is a clean reinstall of that program. Here's how:

  1. Press Windows Key + R, type appwiz.cpl, hit Enter.
  2. Find the app that crashes with error 0X00003716. Right-click it and select Uninstall.
  3. Restart your PC after it finishes.
  4. Download a fresh copy of the installer from the official site (not a third-party mirror).
  5. Run the installer as administrator: right-click the file, choose Run as administrator.
  6. After installation, restart again before launching the app.

After that restart, the error should be gone. If it still appears, move to the next section.

Run SFC and DISM to repair system files

Sometimes the identity mismatch is in a shared component like a Visual C++ redistributable. That's where SFC and DISM come in.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator. Hit Windows Key, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator.
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for it to finish. It'll scan all protected system files and replace corrupted ones.
  3. After SFC finishes, run DISM: type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and hit Enter. This fixes the component store that SFC uses.
  4. This command takes 10-20 minutes. Let it run fully.
  5. When both are done, restart your PC.

What to expect: SFC will show a summary. If it says "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them," you're on the right track. DISM will show a progress bar that reaches 100%.

Why this works

Error 0X00003716 comes from the Side-by-Side (SxS) assembly system in Windows. That system tracks DLLs by their identity — a hash plus version info. When two files claim the same name but have different identities, Windows refuses to load either. Reinstalling the app gives you fresh files that match. SFC and DISM fix the core system assemblies that might be corrupted.

Less common variations of the fixed issue

You might see similar errors in different contexts. Here's what to do for each:

Error happens when launching multiple instances of the same app

This is common with older software like AutoCAD 2016 or certain business apps. The problem is that the second instance loads a slightly different version of a DLL from a shared folder.

  • Fix: Uninstall the program completely. Delete any leftover folders in C:\Program Files and C:\ProgramData. Then reinstall with all users logged off.

Error occurs during Windows Update

Usually tied to a Visual C++ redistributable or the .NET Framework update failing.

  • Fix: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. Then manually download and install the latest Visual C++ redistributables. Install both x86 and x64 versions even if you use 64-bit Windows.

Error in Event Viewer, no app crash

If you see this error in Event Viewer under Windows Logs > Application but no program actually crashes, it's usually a driver loading issue.

  • Fix: Update your graphics driver and any chipset drivers from your motherboard manufacturer's site. Don't rely on Windows Update for drivers — go direct.

Prevention for next time

This error doesn't come out of nowhere. These steps cut the risk way down:

  • Always install programs from official sources, never from download aggregators.
  • When you install an app, close all other running programs first. That prevents file locks and partial writes.
  • Keep your Visual C++ redistributables up to date. Microsoft releases new versions roughly every year. Check the official downloads page every 6 months.
  • Run SFC and DISM once per quarter even if you have no errors. It's like an oil change for Windows.

One last thing: If you've tried everything here and the error still appears, the program itself might be incompatible with your Windows version. Check the software vendor's support page for known issues with Windows 10 22H2 or Windows 11.

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SXS_IDENTITIES_DIFFERENT 0X00003716 side-by-side error component identities different Windows SXS error DLL identity mismatch Windows 10 side-by-side Windows 11 side-by-side error SFC scannow DISM restorehealth fix side-by-side component reinstall program side-by-side error

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EP
Erropedia Team
Tech Support Editors
The Erropedia editorial team researches and documents real-world tech errors from across Windows, Linux, macOS, networking, databases, cloud platforms, and more. Every solution is reviewed for accuracy and updated as software and systems evolve.