The error message "Error 5: Access denied" can occur with various software packages. The system error usually happens when uninstalling or installing Windows software.
Some CCleaner users have reported on forums that the "Access Denied" error message appears when they try to uninstall programs using a utility or loader. If this is the case, you can find some solutions to fix this problem here.
You can also read: How to Fix Error 0xc00d5212 in Windows Media Player
Definition of » CCleaner Error 5 «.
IT experts and support staff typically refer to "CCleaner Error 5 " as a type of "runtime error." The developers at Piriform Ltd. frequently enhance CCleaner with a number of bug fix modules that meet industry standards. However, as with many things, issues like Error 5 can sometimes go unnoticed.
Some users may receive the message “Error 5: Procedure call or argument used” when using CCleaner. When “CCleaner Error 5” appears, developers are notified of the problem via in-app error reporting.
Piriform Ltd has the expertise to figure out how and where to fix the problem. To fix these errors, the software publisher releases an update to the installed software.
What causes CCleaner Error 5?
CCleaner runtime error 5 usually occurs when CCleaner is loaded. You can distinguish the causes of runtime errors by classifying error 5 as follows
- Crash Error 5: This is a typical processing error 5 that causes the computer to completely crash. It usually occurs when CCleaner fails to process the entered data or fails to produce the desired result.
- CCleaner Memory Leak Error 5: The consequence of CCleaner memory leak is poor operating system performance. A possible error factor is the Piriform Ltd code, as the error prevents the program from stopping.
- 'Cleanup error 5': A logical error occurs when the machine outputs invalid data, while the user has entered valid data. This occurs when Piriform Ltd's source code contains a data processing error.
Often, these Piriform Ltd errors are caused by corrupt or missing Cleanup Error 5 files, which are sometimes attributed to a current or past malware infection affecting CCleaner. Replacing the files is often the easiest and most effective way to fix Piriform Ltd errors.
Additionally, as a general cleanup and prevention measure, we recommend using a registry cleaner to remove any invalid Piriform Ltd files, file extensions, or registry key entries to avoid any associated error messages.
Common CCleaner Errors Error 5
Complications of cleaning error 5 include:
- «CCleaner Application Error 5».
- «CCleaner Error 5 is invalid.»
- “CCleaner Error 5″ has encountered a problem and needs to close. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
- «CCleaner error 5 cannot be found.»
- “CCleaner error 5 cannot be found.”
- "Error starting program: Cleanup error 5."
- «CCleaner Error 5 cannot be started.»
- CCleaner Error 5 will appear.
- «CCleaner Error 5: Application path failed.»
CCleaner Error 5 Problems with CCleaner occur during installation, when starting or closing CCleaner Error 5-related programs, or during Windows installation. CCleaner Error 5 logging in CCleaner is necessary to detect Windows errors and send them to Piriform Ltd. for correction.
Causes of CCleaner error 5
Most problems with CCleaner Error 5 are caused by a missing or corrupted CCleaner Error 5, a virus infection, or invalid CCleaner-related Windows registry entries.
Specifically, CCleaner Error 5 problems occur due to:
- Corrupted Windows registry keys related to CCleaner Error 5 / CCleaner.
- Malware has infected CCleaner Error 5 and caused damage.
- CCleaner Error 5 was removed maliciously or accidentally by another software (not CCleaner).
- Other software that conflicts with CCleaner Error 5 or other common links with CCleaner.
- CCleaner installation or download is corrupted (CCleaner Error 5).
How to Fix CCleaner Error 5
Below is a list of steps to fix Cleanup Error 5. The steps become more complex and time-consuming, so it is recommended to follow them in ascending order to avoid unnecessary hassle and time loss.
Step 1: Restore the registry entries associated with error 5.
It is not recommended to manually edit the registry to remove invalid Error 5 cleanup keys unless you are a computer technician. Improperly editing the registry can cause your computer to crash and cause irreparable damage to your operating system. A misplaced comma can even prevent your computer from being completely restarted.
Due to this risk, it is advisable to use a registry cleaner to assist the user. Using a registry cleaner automates the process of searching for invalid registry entries, missing file references (such as those that cause the CCleaner 5 error), and other invalid registry references.
Each scan automatically creates a backup so you can undo any changes with a single click, protecting you from potential damage to your computer. mundobytes.com recommends software to help you solve these problems:
WinThruster Registry Cleaner [Download]
Warning: Unless you are an experienced user, we do NOT recommend manually editing the Windows Registry. Improper use of the Registry Editor can cause serious problems that may require reinstalling your operating system.
Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems caused by the incorrect use of Registry Editor will be resolved. Use it at your own risk.
Tutorial
To manually restore the Windows registry, first create a backup by exporting the portion of the registry associated with CCleaner Error 5 (for example: CCleaner):
- Click on the start button.
- Enter “command” in the search field… Do not press the ENTER key yet.
- Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and press ENTER.
- The permissions dialog box will appear.
- Click “Yes”.
- A black window will open with a blinking cursor.
- Enter «regedit» and press ENTER.
- In the registry editor, select the key associated with error 5 (for example, CCleaner) that you want to back up.
- In the File menu, select Export.
- In the Save in list, select the folder where you want to save the CCleaner security key.
- In the File Name field, enter the file name you want to backup, for example “CCleaner Backup”.
- Make sure the Export field is selected as the “desired option.”
- Click the Save button.
- The file is saved with a .reg extension.
- You now have a backup of your registry entry for Clean Error 5.
Step 2: Run a full malware scan on your computer.
It is possible that the cleanup error 5 is related to a malware infection on your computer. These attackers may have corrupted or even deleted the runtime error files. It is also possible that the error 5 you are facing is related to a component of the same malware.
If you don't already have antivirus software on your computer, we recommend you read the following article which shows you the Top 5 Best Antivirus Programs for PC in 2021.
Step 3: Remove unnecessary files from your system (temporary files and folders) with a disk cleaner (cleanmgr).
Over time , as you connect to and use your computer, unwanted files accumulate. If these unwanted files are not cleaned regularly, CCleaner may run slowly or display a CCleaner error 5 , possibly due to file conflicts or hard drive overload.
Deleting these temporary files with Disk Cleanup not only eliminates error 5, but also improves computer performance.
Tip: While Disk Cleanup is a great built-in tool, it can't completely clean all temporary files from your computer. Other programs you use regularly, such as Microsoft Office , Firefox, Chrome, Live Messenger , and hundreds of others, cannot be cleaned with Disk Cleanup (this includes some programs from Piriform Ltd).
Other details
Due to the disadvantages of the Windows Disk Cleanup utility (Cleanmgr), it is recommended to use special disk cleanup and privacy software to clean up the entire computer. mundobytes.com we recommend a software to help you clean your temporary files:
WinSweeper Privacy Cleaner [Download].
To run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
- Click on the start button.
- Enter "command" in the search box. No press the ENTER key again.
- Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and press enter.
- The permissions dialog box will appear.
- Click “Yes”.
- A black window will open with a blinking cursor.
- Type «cleanmgr» and press ENTER.
- Disk Cleanup starts calculating how much disk space you can reclaim.
- The Disk Cleanup dialog box will appear with a series of check boxes. In most cases, The Temporary Files category is the one that takes up the most disk space.
- Select the check boxes for the categories you want to delete and click OK.
Step 4: Update your computer's drivers.
Cleanup Error 5 errors can be caused by corrupted or outdated device drivers. It happens that drivers work one day and suddenly stop working the next day due to various reasons.
The good news is that you can update your device driver to fix Error 5. Finding the right driver for your hardware device can be very difficult, even directly on the websites of Piriform Ltd or other manufacturers.
Even if you are used to manually searching, downloading, and updating drivers, this process can be long and tedious. Installing the wrong driver or an incompatible version of the correct driver can make problems worse.
Due to the time and complexity involved in updating drivers, we recommend using driver update software . Driver update tools ensure that you have the correct versions for your hardware and that your current drivers are backed up before making any changes.
If you keep a backup of your drivers, you can be sure that you can restore any driver to a previous version (if necessary). mundobytes.com recommends software to help you update these drivers:
DriverDoc Driver Update Software [Download]
Note: Cleaning error 5 is not necessarily related to hardware driver issues, but it's always a good idea to ensure all your computer's drivers are up to date to maximize your computer's performance.
You can also read: SysMenu.dll Error in Windows 10 | Solutions
Step 5: Use Windows System Restore to “undo” recent system changes.
With System Restore you can restore all of your computer's system files and programs to a working state. This can help you avoid hours of troubleshooting for Cleanup Error 5.
Please note that System Restore will not corrupt your documents, photos, or other data. To use the System Restore feature (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
- Click on the start button.
- In the search box, type “System Restore” and press ENTER.
- In the results, click System Restore.
- Enter the administrator passwords (if required).
- Follow the steps in the wizard to select a restore point.
- Get your computer back.
Step 6: Uninstall and reinstall the program that comes with CCleaner.
If cleaning error 5 is related to a specific program, the solution may be to reinstall the software that comes with CCleaner.
Instructions for Windows 7 and Windows Vista:
- Open Programs and Features by clicking the Start button.
- Click on Control Panel in the menu on the right.
- Click Programs.
- Click on Programs and Features.
- Look for CCleaner in the Name column.
- Click on CCleaner.
- Select Uninstall in the top menu bar.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the removal of %%product_name%%%%.
Instructions for Windows XP:
- Open Programs and Features by clicking the Start button.
- Click on Control Panel.
- Click on Add or remove programs.
- Locate CCleaner in the list of installed programs.
- Click on CCleaner.
- Click the uninstall button on the right side.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the removal of %%product_name%%%%.
Instructions for Windows 8:
- Place the cursor in the lower left corner from the screen to display the boot menu image.
- Right-click to display the Start menu context.
- Click on Programs and Features.
- Look for CCleaner in the Name column.
- Click on CCleaner.
- Select Delete or Edit from the top menu bar.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the removal of %%Product_Name%%%%.
After successfully removing the program associated with CCleaner Error 5 (e.g., CCleaner), reinstall the program according to the instructions from Piriform Ltd.
Step 7: Run Windows System File Checker (“sfc /scannow”)
Windows System File Checker is a useful Windows tool that can scan and repair corrupted Windows system files (including those related to CCleaner Error 5).
To run System File Checker (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
- Click the start button.
- Enter "command" in the search box. No press the ENTER key again.
- Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and press ENTER.
- The permissions dialog box will appear.
- Click “Yes”.
- A black window will open with a blinking cursor.
- Type 'sfc /scannow' and press ENTER.
- The system file check will begin looking for error 5 and other problems in your system files (be patient – the system check may take a few minutes).
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
Step 8: Install available Windows updates
Microsoft constantly updates and improves Windows system files that may be associated with CCleaner Error 5. Sometimes, simply updating Windows with the latest Service Pack or other fixes that Microsoft regularly releases is enough to resolve startup errors.
To check for Windows updates (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10) follow these steps:
- Click the start button.
- Enter “update” in the search box and press ENTER.
- The dialog box will appear. Windows Update.
- If updates are available, Click Install Updates.
Step 9: Check if the hard drive is damaged («chkdsk /f»)
While most Blue Screen of Death 5 memory errors are caused by problems with the hard drive controller or memory, in some cases BSOD errors can be caused by a faulty hard drive.
Over time, hard drive controller errors can occur due to repeated and unintentional misuse of the computer. Improper shutdowns, programs that force the system to shut down, incomplete or incorrect software installation (e.g. CCleaner), hardware errors, and power failures can corrupt the system file and stored data.
As a result, you may encounter blue screen errors related to cleanup error 5. Microsoft has added a helpful utility called "chkdsk" ("Check Disk") to check for and repair hard drive corruption. If the steps above did not resolve Stop Error 5, you can run "chkdsk" to find the cause of the BSOD and fix it.
To run «chkdsk (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
- Click the start button.
- Enter “command” in the search box. Do not press the ENTER key yet.
- Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and press ENTER.
- The permissions dialog box will appear.
- Click “Yes”.
- A black window appears with a blinking cursor.
- Type «chkdsk /f» and press ENTER.
- «chkdsk» starts checking the hard drive for damage, which can lead to STOP5 errors.
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
Full list of «chkdsk» commands. (For advanced users only):
- /F: Check and clear hard drive errors.
- /V: Displays the name of each file in each directory when searching the disk.
- FAT/FAT32 disk: Displays the full path and name of each file on the disk.
- Disc NTFS: Display messages when data is deleted.
- /R: This command detects bad sectors and restores read information (assumes /F).
- /L: Size (NTFS only): This command changes the log file size to kilobytes after the colon. If no size is specified, the current size is displayed.
- /X: Forces the specified volume to be unmounted first, if applicable. All open operations on this volume are invalid (assume /F).
- /I (NTFS only): performs a less than complete check of the hard drive index entries.
- /C (NTFS only): does not check for loops in the directory structure.
- /B (NTSF only): re-evaluate failed hard disk clusters (assumes /F).
Step 10: Check if the memory (RAM) is damaged.
Sometimes hardware-related cleanup errors can be caused by corrupted RAM. If your computer restarts at irregular intervals, if you hear beeping codes at startup, or if your computer crashes in any other way (other than the BSOD error 5), it's likely that the memory is corrupted . In fact, around 10% of Windows application crashes are caused by memory corruption.
If you recently installed new memory in your computer, we recommend temporarily removing it to ensure it's not causing the Cleanup Error 5. If this clears the BSOD, it means it's the cause of the problem and the new memory is corrupted or incompatible. In this case, replace the memory modules with new ones.
Other details
If no new memory has been added, the next step is to run a diagnostic test of the computer's existing memory. The memory test analyzes for physical memory defects and recurring errors that can cause the Blue Screen of Death error.
Although recent versions of Windows include the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, it is recommended to use Memtest86 . Memtest86 is a BIOS-based memory testing program, unlike other testing programs that must run under Windows.
Its advantage is that it can search for CCleaner Error 5 errors in the entire memory, while other programs cannot analyze the memory area occupied by the program itself, the operating system, and other running programs.
Tutorial
Here's how to run Memtest86 to check for memory corruption caused by CCleaner Error 5:
- Take a memory USB unused and connect it to your computer.
- Download the USB image from MemTest86 for Windows.
- Right click on the image file and select Extract here. Extract the folder with the files to an easily accessible location (for example, the desktop).
- In the extracted folder, run the imageUSB utility and select the USB memory connected to boot it. WARNING: This will erase all data on the USB flash drive.
- Memtest86 will not install on USB stick and you will be able to search for possible sources of deletion error 5.
- Once the USB flash drive is installed, restart your computer.
- Memtest86 will start checking for memory corruption.
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
If the previous steps haven't worked and Memtest86 has detected memory corruption, the CCleaner Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Error 5 may be due to this corruption. In these cases, replacing the corrupted memory should resolve BSOD 5.
Step 11: Perform a fresh installation of Windows.
Note: Reinstalling Windows is a lengthy and time-consuming task. To avoid data loss, be sure to back up all important documents, pictures, installation programs, and other personal data before starting the process. If you haven't already backed up your data, do so immediately to protect it from irreversible loss.
Last details
This step is your last chance to fix deletion error 5: Reinstalling Windows will erase all the contents of your hard drive and allow you to start working with the new system. Additionally, reinstalling Windows removes any "junk" files that may have accumulated over time.
If the 5 errors persist even after a fresh installation of Windows, the runtime errors problem must be hardware related. In this case, it may be necessary to replace the hardware causing the error 5.
You can also read: 10 Best Windows 10 Repair Tools
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.