Alex Ruben
How To Fix Application Startup Error 0xC0000006 and Resolve Windows Crashes
This error — 0xC0000006 — shows up out of nowhere and can make you think your PC is basically broken. Usually, it happens when the system can’t load certain files or services during startup. Maybe you’ve noticed your apps crashing, or the system gets stuck before you even get to the desktop. These issues often boil down to corrupt system files, registry hiccups, or conflicts with antivirus programs, which just seem to throw a wrench in the works. The good news? There are some straightforward tricks to get this fixed without jumping straight into a full OS reinstall. This guide will walk you through quick, practical methods to get rid of that error and get your PC back to normal. Because, honestly, sometimes Windows just has to make it harder than necessary.
How to Fix Application Startup Error 0xC0000006 in Windows 10 and 11
Access System Configuration to Tweak Startup Items
Starting here helps identify if some third-party or unnecessary services are causing the crash. It’s kind of a classic move—disable things that aren’t necessary during startup and see if the error persists.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog (because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary).
- Type
msconfigand hit Enter or click OK.
In the System Configuration window, you can mess around with startup settings to see if that clears out the issue. It’s usually under the General tab, but for now, you’ll stay in the default mode.
Modify Startup Settings to Narrow Down the Problem
This step helps by stopping unnecessary services and startup items that could be messing with your boot process.
- Under the General tab, uncheck the box labeled Load startup items. This slows down the startup, but it’s worth testing.
- Switch over to the Services tab.
- Check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services at the bottom of the window. Nobody wants to disable core Windows stuff, after all.
- Then, hit Disable all. This basically turns off all non-essential services to see if one of them is causing the error.
- Click Apply and then OK.
This action is pretty aggressive but can help pinpoint where the issue is coming from. On some setups, it’s a hit or miss — sometimes the error goes away, sometimes it doesn’t. But with a clean slate, you’ll know if services are the culprits or not.
Restart Your Computer for the Changes to Kick In
- Hit the Start menu, then click Restart.
This is crucial because Windows needs to reload with the new setup. Sometimes, just doing this fixes minor conflicts that caused the startup error.
Run System File Checker (SFC) to Repair Corrupted Files
Run this command via Command Prompt to scan and fix system file problems that might be causing the error. Not sure why, but system files tend to get corrupted without warning, especially after crashes or interrupted updates.
- After your PC restarts, type
cmdin the search bar. - Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. Sometimes, you’ll need admin rights for this to work.
- In the Command Prompt window, paste this command:
sfc /scannow - Hit Enter. The scan will start and could take about 15-20 minutes, so maybe grab a coffee.
This tool checks for corrupt system files and tries to fix them automatically. On some setups, it’s a miracle worker; on others, it seems to do nothing. Still worth trying, especially if the root cause is file corruption.
Final Restart — Let the Repairs Sink In
- After the scan finishes, restart your computer again — this helps Windows apply any repairs made during the scan.
Most times, a fresh reboot after SFC fixes small issues or at least narrows down whether system files were truly the problem. If the error still pops up, move on to other fixes or look into troubleshooting specific error logs.
Extra Tips & Common Issues to Watch Out For
If none of the above fixed it, here’s what else might help:
- Make sure your antivirus is up-to-date — sometimes, outdated security tools block certain startup processes or files.
- Temporarily disable your antivirus software just to see if it’s causing the issue. (Just don’t forget to re-enable it afterward.)
- Check for Windows updates. Your system might be missing critical patches that fix these startup errors. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and hit Check for updates.
Wrap-up
This error can be a pain, but most of the time, messing with startup configs and running a quick system scan gets the job done. Haven’t had much luck? It might be time to look into deeper issues like registry errors or hardware problems, but for most folks, these steps will clear things up and get Windows back on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Application Error 0xC0000006?
This one pops up mainly because of corrupted system files, registry issues, or conflicts with third-party software or antivirus programs.
Can I fix this error without reinstalling Windows?
Most likely — yes. Troubleshooting the system configs, running SFC, and updating Windows usually do the trick without the need for a full reinstall.
What if the error appears after a Windows update?
Try rolling back the update — go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history, then uninstall recent updates if needed. Sometimes, updates cause compatibility problems that cause errors like this one.
Summary
- Accessed msconfig and disabled startup items and services.
- Restarted to see if base system components cause the issue.
- Ran
sfc /scannowto repair corrupted files. - Checked updates and antivirus conflicts.
Conclusion
Getting rid of that pesky 0xC0000006 error isn’t always straightforward, but these steps are solid enough to troubleshoot most cases. If it still persists, maybe consider deeper diagnostics or professional help — but for most, this will be enough to get Windows back in working order. Fingers crossed this helps someone skip an entire headache of reinstalling everything — worked for me on a few setups anyway.