error message: splwow64exe. - application error. The application was unable to start correctly )0xc0000142) Click ok to close the application

Question

This error is popping up all the time, I have to click on close repeatedly or exit out of what I am trying to print.

splwow64exe. - application error. The application was unable to start correctly )0xc0000142) Click ok to close the application

I'm afraid to use the fixes I found on some postings.

Answer 1

Thank you, but I think I really messed my computer up, I ran the System File Checker tool first, after it finished I received this message:

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.  Details are include in the CBS.log windir\Logs\CBS.log   For example:  C:Windows\Log|CBS.log

Note that  logging is currently not supported in offline servicing scenarios.

Then I tried the Safe Mode solution, a few minutes into that, I panicked and tried to Exit, now most of my apps, toolbars, etc are missing

I don't where to go from here, HELP

Answer 2

Hi Connie,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

As per the issue description you are getting splwow64exe. - application error. The application was unable to start correctly and giving you the error code 0xc0000142. The issue could be if there is some system file corruption or it is being triggered by some third party services/application. I would suggest you to try the steps provided below and see if it helps you to fix the issue.

Method 1

Step 1: Boot the computer in safe mode.

Let’s boot the computer in Safe Mode and check if issue reappears. Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started. The words Safe Mode appear in the corners of your monitor to identify which Windows mode you’re using. You may refer to the article mentioned below to boot the computer in safe mode.

Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode)

Step 2: Perform Clean boot to avoid any third party software conflict.

To help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.

Putting your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. You need to follow the steps from the article mentioned below to perform a Clean Boot.

**How to perform a clean boot in Windows**  

Note: Refer "How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting" to reset the computer to start as normal after troubleshooting.

Method 2

There might be a chance that there is some system file corruption. So, I would suggest you to run SFC scan and see if it brings any difference.

System file check is a utility built into the Operating System that will check for system file corruption. The sfc /scannow command (System File Check) scans the integrity of all protected operating system files and replaces incorrect, corrupted, changed, or damaged versions with the correct versions where possible.

How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows 8.

1. Press Windows key and X at the same time.
2. Choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the context menu.
3. In the command prompt, type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
4. Exit command prompt.

For more information refer to this link:

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833/en-us

Hope this would help. If issue still persists post back with current status of your computer and result of the proposed suggestion, we will be happy to assist you.

Regards,