Error 0xC0000142 in Office: Causes, meaning, and solutions to recover your programs

If you have ever tried to open Become, Excel, PowerPoint or any other application Microsoft Office and you've encountered the Error 0xC0000142 message, you've probably experienced the frustration of not being able to access your documents or work tools. This problem is more common than it seems and can affect both Windows 10 and Windows XNUMX users. Windows 11, generating a lot of uncertainty and doubts about how to solve it effectively.

In this article you will find a A complete explanation of why error 0xC0000142 occurs when starting Office, its most common causes, and a detailed review of all possible solutions. that have proven to work. We'll guide you step-by-step to regain access to your Office suite, with clear explanations tailored to whether you're a beginner or an advanced user.

What does error 0xC0000142 mean in Office?

El error 0xC0000142 It usually appears when you try to open an Office application and the program refuses to run correctly, displaying a message warning that the application could not be started.

This situation It can be due to multiple factors, but most of the time it is caused by Corrupt Office installation files, update issues, older version conflicts, disabled system services, or even third-party software that has modified essential files. of the suite.

Most common reasons for error 0xC0000142 in Office

Before getting into the solutions, it is important to know what are the most common causes of this ruling:

• Damaged or corrupted Office files as a result of incorrectly deleted previous installations, or due to the use of programs such as optimizers and cleaners (for example, CCleaner, AVG TuneUp or Norton) that may have accidentally deleted critical files on occasion.
• Pending updates for both Office and Windows itselfIf you have an outdated operating system or suite, incompatibilities may arise.
• Essential services disabled, particularly the Office Software Protection Platform or Software Protection. If any of these key services are not running, Office may fail to start.
• Remains of old facilities, whether from previous versions of Office or from other programs that have left files in the Windows registry.
• Licensing issues, especially on computers where unofficial activators, expired licenses, or KMS systems have been used.

Step-by-step solutions for error 0xC0000142 in Office

Let's cover the recommended solutions one by one, from the quickest and most common to the most advanced procedures so you can regain full use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or any other Office tool. It is important that you follow the steps in order, checking after each one if the problem has been solved.If not, move on to the next alternative.

Solution 1: Update Office to the latest available version

In many cases, A simple update process can resolve the errorMicrosoft recommends making sure you're using at least version 2102 (build 13801.20808) or later. If you have automatic updates disabled, you can force the update by following these steps:

1. Click on the Windows search bar and type Task Scheduler. Open the app.
2. Within the programmer, navigate to the Task Scheduler Library, then enter Microsoft> Office.
3. In the center panel, locate Automatic updates for Office 2.0. Right click on that task and select Run.

Then, open any of your Office applications to see if the problem has disappeared. If it doesn't resolve the issue, continue with the next method.

Repair Office from the Control Panel

Another effective technique is to Use the built-in repair feature in OfficeThe process may vary depending on your version of Windows or the type of suite installation (Click-to-Run or MSI), but the general steps are as follows:

1. Accesses Control panelgo to Programs and Features.
2. Select your version of Microsoft Office and press Change.
3. From the options that appear, choose between Quick repair o Online repairOnline repair is more thorough, but takes longer and requires an internet connection.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete.

When you're done, restart your computer and try opening your Office applications again.

Run Windows Update and check for system updates

Keeping Windows properly updated is essential. System updates typically include patches for compatibility issues in both Office and services related to activation and security.. To do this, review the section Common errors in Windows Update and make sure you have everything updated.

1. Open the Configuring Windows (you can press Windows key + I).
2. Accede to Update and security and click Search for updates.
3. Install all pending updates and restart your computer.

Once the process is complete, try launching Office again.

Check that software protection services are active

For Office to work properly, It is essential that certain Windows services are activeThe two most relevant are:

• Office Software Protection Platform
• Software protection

To check and activate them if necessary, follow these steps:

1. Click the start button, type Services and open the corresponding application.
2. Scroll down the list and look for the services mentioned above.
3. Right click on each one, select Properties and check that the Start type be like Automatic and the Service status en Running.
4. If the state is listed as Detained , press Start.

This action usually resolves the error when it is related to Office licensing or validation.

Complete cleaning and reinstallation of Office with the official tool

If the above solutions have not worked, you may There are remains of old installations or corrupt files that prevent the suite from functioning correctly.Microsoft offers a free tool to completely uninstall Office from your computer, removing all traces of the registry, expired licenses, and even illegal activators. For more details, you can visit this site. Complete tutorial on activation errors.

The procedure to follow is as follows:

1. Download the Office uninstall tool from the official Microsoft website.
2. Run the program and follow the instructions. All versions of Office present on the system will be displayed; mark them all for removal.
3. The process can take between 15 and 60 minutes depending on the speed of your PC and the amount of debris to be removed.
4. When finished, restart your computer.
5. Download and install the version of Office that corresponds to your original license, avoiding pirated versions or KMS activators.
6. Activate Office with your valid key; this way, you'll avoid validation issues and the error will disappear.

This method is especially useful if you've tried everything else and still can't open the apps. It also resolves potential conflicts with older versions or Office accounts that may have been left on the system.

Related article:

Fix: Office Product Activation Error on Windows 10 – Full Tutorial

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.