Microsoft 365 Error Codes

How to Fix Office Error 0xC0000142 and Too Many Requests

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Word and Excel display error code 0xC0000142 alongside 'Too many requests' prompts, preventing the applications from functioning properly.

Product: Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to open Office applications such as Word or Excel following a recent Microsoft Office update.
Observed behavior: The applications fail to launch, repeatedly showing error 0xC0000142 and 'Too many requests' messages. The standard Microsoft Store installations cannot be repaired or reinstalled normally.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows PC and temporarily save any ongoing work in other applications before initiating system repairs.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Windows Built-in Office Repair Tool

Use this built-in feature first to automatically fix corrupted application files without losing your customized settings or documents.

Windows provides a dedicated repair utility for Microsoft 365 apps. Quick Repair fixes most common issues locally, while Online Repair redownloads missing or severely corrupted files from Microsoft servers.

Open Windows Settings

Click on the Windows Start menu icon and select the gear icon to open 'Settings'.

Navigate to Installed Apps

Go to 'Apps' from the left sidebar, then click on 'Installed Apps' (or 'Apps & features' in older Windows versions).

Initiate Quick Repair

Scroll down to locate 'Microsoft 365' or your Office suite. Click the three dots (or select it) and choose 'Modify'. In the prompt that appears, select 'Quick Repair' and click 'Repair'.

Run Online Repair (If Needed)

If the Quick Repair finishes but the 0xC0000142 error persists, repeat the steps above but select 'Online Repair' instead to perform a deeper fix.

Solution 2

Reset Office Settings via the Registry Editor

If standard repair tools fail, resetting the Microsoft Office registry folder forces the software to recreate its configuration, often resolving underlying launch errors.

Solution 3

Roll Back to a Previous Office Version

If the error started immediately after a new update, reverting to the previous stable build of Office bypasses the buggy update altogether.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Update Errors

When Microsoft Office updates cause persistent errors like 0xC0000142, it can halt your productivity. WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight alternative that avoids these heavy background updates while keeping you fully compatible with your existing files.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for Windows.
2. Install in Seconds: Run the lightweight installation file, which installs much faster than standard Microsoft Office packages.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and immediately open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files to continue working error-free.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsStable offline performance without annoying 'Too many requests' errorsFamiliar interface allowing for a seamless transition

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes Microsoft Office error 0xC0000142?

This error is typically triggered by corrupted installation files, conflicting background services, or a botched software update that prevents the core Office executable files from launching correctly.

Will resetting the Office registry delete my saved documents?

No. Renaming or resetting the Office registry key only resets application preferences (like window sizes or custom toolbars). Your Word documents and Excel spreadsheets are saved separately and will remain completely safe.

How do I fix the 'Too many requests' message in Office?

This message often appears when the Microsoft authentication service is overwhelmed or stuck in a loop. Running an Online Repair, signing out and back into your account, or checking your network configuration can resolve the loop.

What should I do if the Microsoft Store version of Office refuses to uninstall?

If standard uninstallation fails, you will need to use the official Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA) tool to force a complete cleanout of residual files before attempting to reinstall.

Microsoft Office Error Codes