How to Fix PowerPoint Error 0xc0000142 on Application Start

When you start Microsoft PowerPoint, you may see an error code 0xc0000142 that prevents the application from opening. This error usually means a critical system file or component that PowerPoint depends on has become corrupted or incompatible. The cause is often a damaged Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, a conflict with an add-in, or a corrupted Office installation file. This article explains the root cause of error 0xc0000142 and provides step-by-step fixes to get PowerPoint running again.

Why PowerPoint Shows Error 0xc0000142 at Startup

Error 0xc0000142 is classified as an application error in Windows. When PowerPoint starts, it loads several system-level components, including the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable runtime libraries. If these libraries are missing, damaged, or incompatible with your version of Windows, the operating system cannot launch the application and returns the 0xc0000142 error code.

The most common technical cause is a corrupted or outdated Visual C++ Redistributable package. This package provides essential functions for many Windows applications, including PowerPoint. Another frequent cause is a conflict with a COM add-in or a damaged Office installation file. Less common triggers include malware infection, insufficient user permissions, or a corrupted Windows system file. However, in the majority of cases, the Visual C++ Redistributable is the culprit.

Steps to Fix PowerPoint Error 0xc0000142

The following methods are ordered from the most common fix to the least common. Try each method in sequence until the error is resolved.

Method 1: Repair or Reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

1. Open Control Panel
   Press the Windows key, type “Control Panel,” and press Enter. Select Programs and Features.
2. Locate the Visual C++ Redistributable entries
   In the list of installed programs, find all entries named “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable.” You may see several versions, such as 2015-2022, 2013, 2012, and 2010.
3. Repair each package
   Right-click each Visual C++ Redistributable entry and select Change. In the dialog, choose Repair and follow the on-screen instructions. Repeat this for every Visual C++ Redistributable version present.
4. Restart your computer
   After repairing all packages, restart Windows. Then try opening PowerPoint again.

If repairing does not work, uninstall each Visual C++ Redistributable entry completely. Then download the latest version from the Microsoft Download Center. Install the package and restart your computer.

Method 2: Start PowerPoint in Safe Mode

1. Open the Run dialog
   Press the Windows key + R. In the Run box, type powerpnt /safe and press Enter.
2. Check if PowerPoint opens
   If PowerPoint starts without the error, a third-party add-in is likely causing the problem. Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
3. Disable all add-ins
   At the bottom of the Add-ins window, next to Manage, select COM Add-ins and click Go. Uncheck every add-in in the list and click OK.
4. Restart PowerPoint normally
   Close Safe Mode and open PowerPoint normally. If the error is gone, re-enable add-ins one at a time to identify the offending add-in.

Method 3: Run the Office Quick Repair Tool

1. Open Settings
   Press Windows key + I to open Windows Settings. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find Microsoft Office
   Scroll to Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office in the list. Click the three dots next to it and select Modify.
3. Choose Quick Repair
   In the Office repair dialog, select Quick Repair and click Repair. Wait for the process to complete. You may need to restart your computer.

Method 4: Run the System File Checker

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator
   Press the Windows key, type “cmd,” right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
2. Run SFC scan
   Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. The scan may take 10 to 15 minutes. Do not close the Command Prompt window until the scan finishes.
3. Review results and restart
   If the tool finds corrupted system files, it will attempt to repair them. After the scan completes, restart your computer and try opening PowerPoint.

Method 5: Reinstall Microsoft Office

1. Uninstall Office
   Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office, click the three dots, and select Uninstall.
2. Restart your computer
   After the uninstall completes, restart Windows to remove any leftover files.
3. Download and reinstall Office
   Log in to office.com and download the latest version of Office. Run the installer and follow the prompts.

If PowerPoint Still Shows Error 0xc0000142 After the Main Fix

PowerPoint Opens in Safe Mode but Not Normally

This indicates a conflicting add-in. After disabling all COM add-ins as described in Method 2, re-enable them one by one. After each enable, restart PowerPoint normally. When the error reappears, you have identified the problematic add-in. Remove that add-in permanently by going to File > Options > Add-ins, selecting the add-in, and clicking Remove.

Error Persists After Reinstalling Visual C++ Redistributable

If the error continues, a Windows system file may be corrupted. Run the System File Checker as shown in Method 4. If SFC does not fix the issue, run the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool by typing DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in an elevated Command Prompt. Restart after the process completes.

Error Occurs Only on a Specific User Account

This suggests a corrupted user profile. Create a new Windows user account and try opening PowerPoint from that account. If the error does not appear, transfer your files to the new account and delete the old one.

Quick Repair vs Online Repair: Key Differences

Item	Quick Repair	Online Repair
Duration	5 to 10 minutes	30 minutes or more
Internet required	No	Yes, downloads fresh files
What it fixes	Corrupted Office files and registry entries	All Office files, including missing or damaged components
Effect on add-ins	Add-ins remain installed	Add-ins may need reinstallation

After applying the fixes in this guide, you should be able to open PowerPoint without seeing error 0xc0000142. The most reliable solution is to repair or reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package. If the error returns, run the Office Online Repair tool to replace all Office files. As a final step, consider running the DISM tool to repair the Windows system image before reinstalling Office.