Alex Ruben
How To Fix the Application That Unable to Start Correctly (0xc000000e5)
If you’ve seen the “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000005)” message pop up when trying to launch a game or app on Windows, it’s pretty annoying, and honestly, kind of a common pain. Basically, Windows hits a snag that prevents the program from running properly, which could be caused by a bunch of things—corrupted files, permissions, conflicts with security software, or even bad system settings. Luckily, there are some solid methods to troubleshoot this, and often, it’s just a matter of working through a few steps. Expect a mix of tweaks that might fix things on the first try or require some patience—Windows loves to make this stuff a bit more complicated than it needs to be. This guide covers multiple fixes you can try in order, so hopefully, one of them gets your app up and running without the usual hassle.
How to Fix the Application Unable to Start Correctly (0xc0000005) Error
Fix 1: Run the Program as Administrator
This is a classic. Sometimes, applications need higher permissions to run, especially if they’re trying to access system files or registry entries. Running as admin can suddenly make all the difference. It’s quick—just right-click the app shortcut or executable and hit Run as administrator. If the app launches fine, it’s a permissions issue, and you can set it to always run as admin by right-clicking, choosing Properties, then under the Compatibility tab, checking Run this program as an administrator.
Fix 2: Disable Data Execution Prevention (DEP) for the Problematic App
This feature is designed to prevent malicious code from running, but on some setups, it can block legitimate apps. To turn it off for specific programs:
- Press Windows + R, type
sysdm.cpland hit Enter to open System Properties. - Go to the Advanced tab, click Settings under the Performance section.
- Switch over to the Data Execution Prevention tab.
- Choose Turn on DEP for all programs except those I select.
- Click Add, then browse to the executable file (.exe) of your app.
- Hit Apply and restart your PC. After that, try launching your app again.
This helps because, on some systems, DEP might mistakenly flag the app as a threat or prevent it from running, especially if it’s poorly coded or corrupted.
Fix 3: Run the System File Checker (SFC) to Repair Files
Corrupted Windows files can mess with how apps start, sometimes silently. Running the built-in SFC tool can fix some of those issues without much fuss. Open Command Prompt as admin (right-click Start menu, select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or Windows Terminal (Admin) in newer versions), then type:
SFC /scannowPress Enter and wait. It can take a few minutes, so be patient. If it finds something wrong, it’ll attempt repairs automatically. After it’s done, reboot and see if the app fires up. This can fix those weird system conflicts that cause 0xc0000005 errors. Works sometimes, sometimes not, but it’s worth a shot.
Fix 4: Check Your Antivirus and Security Software
Sometimes, AV or malware tools get a little overzealous and block legit apps. Kind of weird, but not unheard of. To troubleshoot:
- Temporarily disable your antivirus software (look for an option to turn off real-time protection). This isn’t forever—just long enough to test.
- Try launching the app again. If it works, then you’ve found the culprit—add the app to your exceptions or whitelist to prevent future issues.
- Remember to re-enable your antivirus afterward—because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Just a quick way to check if security software is the cause. If you’re using Windows Defender, you can disable it from Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
While troubleshooting, keep these in mind:
- Make sure Windows is fully up to date. Sometimes, bugs are fixed in patches, and just running Windows Update can resolve a lot of weird issues.
- Check if recent updates or new installs of the app might be causing conflicts. Maybe roll back or uninstall and reinstall cleanly.
- If nothing works, uninstall the problematic app completely, then do a fresh install. Sometimes, the install itself gets corrupted.
Wrap-up
So, yeah, fixing this error can feel like a dance with Windows, but most of the time, these methods do the trick. Permissions, security settings, corrupted files—each can be a culprit. Sometimes, it’s a combination, and you have to try a few things before it all clicks. A lot of times, a simple restart after messing with DEP or permissions can clear the cache of bad states. If all else fails, reinstalling or even reaching out to the app support forum might be needed.
Summary
- Run the app as administrator
- Disable DEP for the problematic program
- Run SFC to fix system files
- Check antivirus interference, temporarily disable and whitelist
- Update Windows and reinstall app if necessary
Fingers crossed this helps
Hopefully, one of these tricks gets the app to run without throwing that error again. It’s kind of annoying how Windows throws this error without much explanation, but at least now there are tangible fixes to try. Good luck!