STATUS_APP_INIT_FAILURE 0XC0000145: Fix the App Initialization Error
This error means the app couldn't start because a required DLL or subsystem failed to load. The fix is usually reinstalling the app or repairing system files.
Quick Answer
Reinstall the problematic app, then run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth from an elevated command prompt.
Why This Happens
STATUS_APP_INIT_FAILURE (0XC0000145) is Windows telling you that the app's startup sequence didn't complete properly. The root cause is almost always a missing or corrupted DLL that the application or one of its dependencies (like the Visual C++ Redistributable) needs. This happens most often after a Windows update replaces a shared system file, or when an installer fails midway and leaves you with broken registry entries. I've seen it trigger when a user upgraded from Windows 10 to 11 and tried to run an old game that depended on DirectX 9 files — the installer had partially overwritten d3dx9_43.dll.
Fix Steps
- Reinstall the app. Uninstall it completely via Settings > Apps > Apps & features, then reboot and install the latest version from the official source. This replaces any missing or corrupted app-specific DLLs.
- Run System File Checker. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run
sfc /scannow. SFC checks protected system files and replaces corrupted ones from the local cache. If it finds issues, reboot and test the app again. - Repair the system image with DISM. If SFC didn't help, run
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This fixes the component store that SFC relies on. Let it finish — it can take 15–20 minutes on spinning disks. - Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributables. Many apps need these. Go to Microsoft's official download page and grab the latest x64 and x86 versions. Run each installer and reboot. This often fixed the error for apps like Steam or Photoshop.
- Check for corrupt .NET Framework. Run the .NET Framework Repair Tool from Microsoft's site, then enable .NET 3.5 and 4.8 in Windows Features. Some old apps demand 3.5 even on Windows 11.
Alternative Fixes
If the main steps didn't work, try these in order:
- Run the app as administrator. Right-click the executable > Properties > Compatibility > 'Run this program as an administrator'. Some apps need elevated permissions to load their initial resources.
- Disable antivirus temporarily. Third-party AV like McAfee or Norton can block DLL loading during initialization. Disable it for 30 seconds and try launching the app.
- Create a new user profile. Corruption in your user profile's registry hive can cause this. Create a new local admin account, log into it, and test the app.
- Perform a clean boot. Run
msconfig, select 'Selective startup', uncheck 'Load startup items', and disable all non-Microsoft services. Reboot and test. If the app works, a background service is interfering.
Prevention Tips
Once you've fixed it, avoid a repeat by keeping your system updated but be cautious with optional updates. Use Windows Update only — no third-party driver updaters. Before installing big updates, create a system restore point. And for critical apps, use chkdsk /f monthly to catch emerging disk errors that corrupt files silently.
Pro tip: If you see this error with a specific app like Spotify or Discord, their official uninstall tools often leave remnants. Use Revo Uninstaller Free in 'Advanced' mode to nuke leftovers before reinstalling.
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