Fix Microsoft Excel Error 0xc0000142 After an Office Update
Question details
The user needs to restore Microsoft Excel after an Office update causes startup error 0xc0000142.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel in Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows; version not provided
- Scenario
- Starting Excel after an Office update, potentially involving an incomplete background update or corrupted Office components.
- Observed behavior
- Excel fails to open and displays error 0xc0000142, stating that the application was unable to start correctly.
If an Office update is still running, let it finish before restarting Windows and trying Excel again. Before using Online Repair or reinstalling Office, confirm that you have internet access and the Microsoft account or license details needed to activate Office.
Test Excel startup in Safe Mode
Use Safe Mode to check whether Excel can start without add-ins and other startup customizations.
Press Windows + R, type excel /safe in the Run box, and press Enter.
If Excel opens, go to File > Options > Add-ins. Select COM Add-ins in the Manage list, click Go, and clear the enabled add-ins for testing. Close Excel and open it normally.
If normal startup works, return to File > Options > Add-ins and re-enable add-ins one at a time to identify the cause. If error 0xc0000142 still appears, proceed to Office repair.
Repair Microsoft Office with Quick Repair or Online Repair
Repair the Office installation when Excel still cannot start, including when Safe Mode fails.
Reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office if repair fails
Use a manual reinstall if repair does not restore Excel or removes Office applications without successfully reinstalling them.
Keep Working on Excel Files with WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Office does not repair Microsoft Excel error 0xc0000142, but it offers a free, lightweight alternative for working on spreadsheets while you troubleshoot Office. Its familiar interface and Excel format compatibility make migration straightforward for everyday workbook tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Excel error 0xc0000142 after an Office update?
The error means Excel could not initialize correctly. After an Office update, corrupted Office components or an incomplete background update are possible causes, but the error alone does not identify the exact cause. Let any active update finish, restart Windows, and then test Excel.
How do I start Excel in Safe Mode if it will not open?
Press Windows + R, enter excel /safe, and press Enter. If Excel opens this way, test add-ins through File > Options > Add-ins. If the same error appears in Safe Mode, proceed to Office repair.
Should I choose Quick Repair or Online Repair first?
Start with Quick Repair through Control Panel > Programs and Features > Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 > Change. If Excel still fails, return to the repair window and choose Online Repair, which requires an internet connection and performs a more extensive repair.
What should I do if Online Repair removes Office but does not reinstall it?
Restart Windows and manually reinstall your licensed Office product. For a personal license, sign in at account.microsoft.com/services and select Install for your Office product. For an organization-managed license, use your organization's installation page or ask IT for assistance.
Can WPS Office fix Excel error 0xc0000142?
No. WPS Office does not repair the Microsoft Office installation. You can use WPS Spreadsheet to open .xlsx or .xls files while troubleshooting Excel, but verify complex macros, external connections, and advanced workbook features before relying on an alternative application.
