Error 0xc0000076 is caused by a missing “library” in Windows, usually Visual C++, DirectX or similar.
The error appears when you try to run a “big” application, such as a game or some kind of graphics application. This is because the application will require a library item, which is not installed or accessible on your system.
The error will usually display as “0xc0000076” or more commonly as a “0xc000007b” error, quoted after the application attempts to load.
The way to solve this problem is to make sure you have the proper library/dependencies required by the application to run. It should resolve 90% of problems with the error.
Cause
The typical error message for error 0xc0000076 is as follows:
The application failed to initialize successfully (0xc0000076)
The key to fixing this is to understand that every application on Windows requires a series of “libraries” or “dependencies” to help it run.
These libraries are stored on your hard drive as DLLs, applications like DirectX, and “redistributable” packages like Visual C++. While most of the popular libraries are distributed by Microsoft, there are also some provided by other companies.
The bottom line for error 0xc0000076 is that your system is unable to load the dependencies required to run the application.
Solution steps
1. Reinstall Visual C++
Visual C++ is usually the culprit here. It is a collection of programs distributed by Microsoft to help improve the functionality of Windows.
Unfortunately, like many “Microsoft” things, they have overcomplicated it, making VC++ an entirely third-party download and split between different versions, each of which must be downloaded to provide the required functionality.
Unfortunately, it often happens that even if the correct VC++ is installed, it becomes damaged or corrupted, preventing applications from reading it correctly.
Therefore, the first step in fixing the 0xc0000076 error is to ensure that you have installed the latest versions of the required VC++ Redistributable packages…
- In Windows 7, click “Start” > “Control Panel” > “Add or Remove Programs”
- In Windows 10, right click the “Start” / “Windows” button > select “Programs and Features”
- From the list that appears, select any version of “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable” and NOTE its year number (this is important)
- After writing down the years, you need to right-click on each of the listings and select “Uninstall.”
- After uninstalling them, restart your PC
- After reboot you will need to google and search for “Microsoft Latest Visual C++ Packages”
- For each of the “years” you noted above, download the corresponding download and install.
A quick note on this topic: When you download each VC++ package, you will be asked if you want the “x64” or “x86” version. This corresponds to the “architecture” of your system.
If you are not sure which version of Windows you have, you should do the following:
- Press the “Windows” + “R” keys on your keyboard
- In the “Run” dialog, type “dxdiag” and press “Enter”
- When DXDiag appears, look for the “Operating System” listing
- Take note of whether it is 64-bit or 32-bit: 64-bit is x64 and 32-bit is x86
- From there you need to install the various VC++ packages and then let it run.
2. Update DirectX
Next, you need to update DirectX.
DirectX is a core element of Windows that allows your system to run 3D graphics etc.
Unfortunately, because many games, etc. put their own versions of DirectX files on your system, it often happens that applications will display a large number of errors, etc.
If this is the case, you’ll want to install the DirectX “update” which should replace any potentially corrupted files you may have…
- Click on “Google” and search for “Download DirectX” – click on the first link
- Click the orange “Download” button
- Click “No thanks and continue”
- Save the file to your hard drive
- Open the app and click on the process (make sure you don’t accept “Bing Bar” scamware)
- Let it install the necessary files to update DirectX
- Restart your PC
Once your PC has rebooted, you need to proceed to the next step.
3.Reinstall.NET
.NET is similar to the previous two dependencies in that it provides a large number of functions, files, and settings that are required for Windows to function properly.
Unfortunately, like the others, it can be damaged or corrupted. If this is the case, you’ll want to update to the latest version, which can be done with the following:
- In Windows 7, click “Start” > select “Control Panel” > “Add or Remove Programs”
- In Windows 10, right click the “Start” / “Windows” button > select “Programs and Features”
- From the displayed dialog, click “Turn Windows features on or off” – Uncheck “.NET 3.5” and “.NET 4.6.2” and then click “OK”
- Let the uninstall process happen and restart your PC
- After reboot you will want to google “.net web installer”
- Click the orange “Download” button and then proceed to install the package.
This will replace any of the .NET Framework files that may be damaged or corrupted on the system. Basically, this will restore most of your system dependencies that *could* be broken.
In addition to this, you’ll also want to make sure that any “registry” errors are removed on your PC…
4. Clean registry errors
Registry errors occur when the Windows “registry” becomes damaged or corrupted.
The registry is a central database that Windows uses to store all the settings and options that your system requires to function.
This database is responsible for everything from your desktop wallpaper to the user’s avatar. Unfortunately, it can become damaged or corrupted, preventing your PC from being able to read the settings it requires.
To fix this, you’d better clean it with a “registry cleaner”:
- Download a reliable registry cleaning tool (I only recommend CCleaner in 2018, which is available from “Piriform”, just Google “CCleaner Download”)
- Install the tool and charge it
- Let it scan your system registry (other parts like junk files don’t matter as much)
- After the scan, clean/remove any of the issues it found
- Restart your PC
Not only does this ensure that you are able to fix any of the possible problems your computer may have, but it also ensures that you are able to run the programs effectively.
5. Clean malware and reinstall graphics driver
If the steps above don’t work, the next step is to reinstall your system’s graphics driver (yes, this is a valid cause of the error).
To do this, you’ll want to download “DDU” (Display Driver Uninstaller) from Guru3D. This removes **all** of the graphics driver software that your system will have installed…
- Click on the DDU download page: (you will have to google “DDU Download”)
- Save the file to your system
- Reboot your PC in “Safe Mode”
There are several ways to do this depending on the version of Windows you’re running:
- In Windows 7, click “Start” > “Restart”
- When your system reboots, press F8 repeatedly on the keyboard before anything starts to load
- This will open the “Advanced Boot Options” menu where you need to select “Safe Mode”.
- In Windows 10, click the “Start” / “Windows” button (lower left corner)
- Select the “Power” button – Holding SHIFT, press “Restart”
- The blue “Recovery Environment” screen will appear.
- From here select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart”
- When the system restarts, it will load the “Advanced Boot Options” screen from which you can choose “Safe Mode”. From here, you will enter “Safe Mode”.
- You need to click on the DDU app you downloaded and then let it run.
- You will need to choose “Clean and restart (recommended)”.
This will completely remove the graphics driver, which *should* resolve any remaining occurrences of the error. Let the system reboot into “normal” mode, and then try loading the application again.
Once in “normal” mode, you will need to reinstall the graphics driver. In Windows 10, this will normally be done automatically. The point is that if you have any custom drivers, they may be causing some kind of conflict, which will be resolved by removing them altogether with DDU.
If the above doesn’t work, you may have a deeper problem within Windows.
In addition to using a more powerful bug cleanup tool, May benefit from seeking more specific advice. To do this, I’d recommend seeing a repair technician (who will have *exactly* the same recommendations as me) or asking online.