How to Fix the Bad Image 0xc0000006 Error in Windows 10 & 11

If Windows keeps encountering a bad image, here's how to fix it.

The Bad Image 0xc0000006 error is a software startup issue that can occur in Windows 11 and 10. It is an error that occurs for some users when they try to launch certain software packages. Affected programs display this error message: “C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\<DLL file title> is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error… Error status 0xc0000006.”

As that error message always references a DLL file, it can be considered a DLL issue. Software packages that error occurs for don’t open. This is how you can resolve error 0xc0000006 within Windows 10 and 11.

1. Run the Program Install Troubleshooter for Windows

Error 0xc0000006 can arise because of software installation issues. Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter could fix installation issues for the affected programs. That’s not a troubleshooter included with Windows 11 or 10. However, you can download and run that troubleshooter like this:

1. Open Microsoft’s webpage for the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter.
2. Click Download Troubleshooter there to save a MicrosoftProgram_Install_and_Uninstall.meta file.
3. Launch the Explorer directory navigation app (press Windows + E), and open the folder where the troubleshooter downloaded it.
4. Double-click MicrosoftProgram_Install_and_Uninstall.meta to view the troubleshooter.
5. Click Advanced > Apply repairs automatically in the troubleshooter.
   
6. Select the Next option to bring up further options.
7. Click Installing to view a list of your installed software.
   
8. Select the software error 0xc0000006 occurs for.
   
9. Then press Next again, and select the Yes, try to install repair option.

2. Run Deployment Imaging and System File Scans

The 0xc0000006 error message highlights there’s a file (or even system image) issue. Therefore, running both Deployment Image and System File Checker scans are potential fixes for the 0xc0000006 error. Those are command-line utilities included with the OS to fix a bad Windows image and system files. This is how to run both those scans:

1. You will first need to bring up the search box by pressing the Windows + S keys.
2. Locate Command Prompt by entering that app’s title in the search tool’s text box.
3. Right-click Command Prompt to select the Run as administrator context menu option for opening that app with elevated user rights.
4. First, input this text for the Deployment Imaging scan command:

   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth 

5. Press the Enter button on your keyboard.
   
6. Next, run a system file scan on your PC by entering this text and pressing Return:

   sfc /scannow

   
7. Now, wait for the SFC utility to do its stuff and display a result.

3. Run an Antivirus Scan

Don’t rule out the possibility that a virus might have caused error 0xc0000006 on your PC. System DLL files are sometimes the target of malware (malicious software). You can run an antivirus scan with Windows Security as follows:

1. To open Windows Security, click its shield icon within the system tray.
2. Click the Virus & threat protection tab to view its scanning options.
3. Select Scan options to bring up all the settings.
   
4. Click the radio button for the Full scan option.
   
5. Press Scan now to start Windows Security’s scanning.

4. Reregister the DLL Specified in 0xc0000006 Error Message

Every 0xc0000006 error specifies a DLL file. So, there’s a possibility that the referenced DLL has a broken (corrupted) registry association. Reregistering the DLL mentioned in the error message will fix such an issue. This is how you can reregister a specified DLL with the regsvr32 command-line tool:

1. First, note down the DLL file name referenced in the error 0xc0000006 message.
2. Start Command Prompt as covered within the first three steps of the second resolution above.
3. Input this regsver32 command:

   regsvr32 "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\<DLL file name>"

4. Press the Return (Enter) key to re-register the file.
   
5. A RegSvr32 dialog box will pop up that confirms the registration of the DLL. Click OK on that window, and then close Command Prompt.
6. Restart Windows 11 or 10 after reregistering the DLL.

Replace the DLL file name in the command above with a real DLL file. Make sure you enter the file’s full and exact title with its DLL extension included at the end.

5. Reinstall the Software for Which the 0xc0000006 Error Occurs

The error 0xc0000006 message suggests that you try reinstalling whatever software the error arises for. That’s a good suggestion, for doing so will replace the program’s files and probably fix the error if it’s due to an installation issue. You can reinstall most software packages by uninstalling them via Programs and Features like this:

1. Right-click the taskbar button for the Start menu and select the Run dialog box shortcut.
2. Bring up Programs and Features by inputting the appwiz.cpl command for that applet in the Open box and select OK.
3. Select the software for which you need to fix error 0xc0000006.
4. Click Uninstall for the selected software.
   
5. Select Yes on any confirmation dialog box that will likely pop up.
6. Restart your Windows PC when you’ve removed the affected software.
7. Download the latest version of whatever software you need to reinstall from its website. Then reinstall the program with the setup wizard for it.

If you can’t find the software you need to uninstall in Programs and Features, have a look for it within Apps & features in Settings. To open Apps & features, press the Windows + I keys both at the same time. Then click Apps and Apps & features to view a list of installed software. You can select to uninstall all listed apps from there.

6. Uninstall a Recent Windows 11/10 Update

Buggy Windows updates can be another potential cause for the 0xc0000006 error. If error 0xc0000006 started popping up on your PC shortly after a recent Windows update, uninstalling that update might be a possible solution.

So, try uninstalling the most recent Windows update on your PC and see if that fixes the issue. You can learn how to do that in our guide on how to manually uninstall Windows 10 and 11 updates.

7. Reset Windows 10 or 11

Resetting Windows (otherwise known as a repair install) is a simple way to reinstall the platform with its default configuration. After you’ve reset Windows, you’ll need to reinstall all your previously installed third-party software packages. So, reset the platform only as a last resort if all else files. This is how to reset Windows 11:

1. Press Win + X to activate a special menu and select Settings there.
2. Next, click Recovery from the System tab in Settings.
3. Press Reset PC to open the tool for resetting Windows.
   
4. Click Keep my files to choose that option.
   
5. Choose the Cloud download or Local reinstall option you prefer.
6. Click Next to bring up the final options.
7. Select Reset to confirm.

Error 0xc0000006 Is Now Sorted!

Applying those potential fixes will probably get the 0xc0000006 error sorted out on most users’ Windows 11/10 PCs. It can’t be said they’re 100 percent guaranteed, but they’ll likely get error 0xc0000006 fixed in most instances. With the Bad Image error 0xc0000006 fixed, you’ll be able to launch and utilize the software packages for which that issue occurred again.