'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Office Error 0xc0000142 After a Microsoft 365 Update
Question details
The user is unable to open Microsoft 365 applications following a software update, as the programs fail to launch and return a specific error code.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to launch Microsoft 365 applications after completing a lengthy software update.
- Observed behavior
- The applications fail to open, displaying error code 0xc0000142. Restarting the computer does not resolve the issue.
Ensure you have an active internet connection if an Online Repair is required, and close any background Office processes using Task Manager.
Run the Microsoft Office Repair Tool
Use the built-in Windows application repair tool to fix corrupted Microsoft 365 installation files causing error 0xc0000142.
Navigate to your system Settings, select Apps, and then click on Installed apps (or Programs and Features in Control Panel).
Scroll down to locate your Microsoft 365 or Office installation. Click the three dots next to it (or right-click) and select Modify.
Select the Quick Repair option and click Repair. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process. This will scan and replace corrupted files without needing an internet connection.
If Quick Repair does not fix error 0xc0000142, repeat the steps above and choose Online Repair. This requires an internet connection and will perform a more comprehensive fix.
Use WPS Office as a Reliable Alternative When Microsoft 365 Fails
If Microsoft 365 error 0xc0000142 prevents you from accessing your work, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that avoids complex update errors and works seamlessly with your existing documents.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free, lightweight installer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick setup instructions to install WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Microsoft 365 error code 0xc0000142?
Error 0xc0000142 typically occurs when a Microsoft 365 application fails to initialize properly. This is often caused by corrupted installation files, conflicting third-party software, or incomplete software updates.
Will running the Office repair tool delete my files or documents?
No, running either the Quick Repair or Online Repair tool will only scan and replace Microsoft 365 application files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and presentations will not be deleted or modified.
What should I do if Online Repair doesn't fix error 0xc0000142?
If Online Repair fails to resolve the issue, you may need to completely uninstall Microsoft 365 using the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant, and then perform a fresh installation from your Microsoft account dashboard.
