Fix: Windows Error Code 0xc0000417 (Unknown Software Exception)

The 0xc0000417 ‘Unknown Software Exception’ error in Windows usually occurs while launching a game. Many users have complained that this error showed up when they were launching or playing GTA 5, Combat Arms, ShotOnline, and other games.

The error indicates that there was interference from other programs, but the system was unable to identify the real cause of the exception. It usually happens because the game is old and incompatible with your Windows version, and it’s highly likely that it will show the exception error. Secondly, corrupted files in the game or program also contribute to this.

Furthermore, make sure that not many background programs are running since they can interfere with your game and stop it from running.

A workaround to knowing the cause of this error is to remove your peripherals, like controllers, headphones, etc., and launch the game to see if the error still appears or not. If it doesn’t, then it implies that your hardware could be causing this. In this case, use a different peripheral and check the game again.

How to Fix the 0xc0000417 Error Code

There are 8 ways to fix the Unknown Software Exception error which include lowering the display resolution, allowing the app to communicate through the Windows firewall, running a couple of troubleshooters, executing SFC and DISM commands, and more.

1. Allow the App to Communicate Through the Windows Firewall: Your firewall can block the game from launching if it sees a network threat. This will stop the firewall from scanning and interfering with your game files for network-based threats. Once this is done, your game will launch without any issues. Only do this when you’re on your private network.
2. Enable Low Resolution: Some games are incompatible with high resolution on Windows and will struggle to run properly. Enabling a low-resolution display for the time being negates this problem.
3. Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter: This troubleshooter fixes compatibility issues in an app that are not letting it launch or run. After the scan is done, it will also let you know what the actual problem was.
4. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter: This troubleshooter identifies any issues with Windows update-related services and components and fixes them so that Windows can update without any trouble. This should be done if you’re unable to update your Windows, which can be necessary to run particular games.
5. Run the SFC and DISM scans: Running the SFC command scans all the system files and replaces the corrupted ones with a cached copy. On the other hand, executing the DISM command replaces the core Windows files that were corrupted and weren’t letting some programs run.
6. Reinstall the Game: A wrong or incomplete installation is a common reason for errors like 0xc0000417. Therefore, you should reinstall the game if anything else doesn’t work.
7. Perform a System Restore: A system restore lets you return your PC to a time when any specific error didn’t occur. This doesn’t remove your personal files like images, videos, or documents, but it will remove the recently installed programs.
8. Perform a Clean Boot: A clean boot starts Windows with limited drivers and startup programs, which helps identify whether some background programs were interfering with your game.

1. Allow the App to Communicate Through Windows Firewall

1. Click on Start.
2. Type Windows Security and open it.

3. Go to Firewall & network protection.
4. Select Allow an app through the firewall.

5. Click on Change Settings.

6. Select the app you want to allow. If the app isn’t on the list, click on Allow another app and browse for it.

7. Select Private network.
8. Click OK.

2. Enable Low Resolution

1. Right-click on your desktop.
2. Select Display Settings.

3. Click on the drop-down arrow under Display Resolution.

4. Select a lower resolution.
5. Run your game now.

3. Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

1. Right-click on the program or game that shows the 0xc0000417 error and select Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Select Run compatibility troubleshooter.

4. Wait for the scan to complete and launch your program or game then.

4. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

1. Click on Start.
2. Type Troubleshoot and open Troubleshoot settings.

3. Select Run additional troubleshooters.

4. Click on Windows Update.
5. Select Run this troubleshooter.

6. Run your game after the scan is complete.

5. Run the SFC and DISM scans

1. Type cmd in the Start menu.
2. Select Run as administrator.
3. Execute the following command:

   sfc /scannow

4. Once the scan completes, execute the next command below:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

5. These commands will fix the issues with your program files.
6. Afterward, open your game and see if the error shows up or not.

6. Reinstall the Game

1. Type Uninstall in the Start menu.
2. Select Add or remove programs.

3. Locate the program you want to uninstall and click on it.

4. Select Uninstall and confirm the decision.
5. Now reinstall the game on your system.

7. Perform a System Restore

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type System Restore and select Create a restore point.

3. Select it and go to System Protection > System Restore.

4. Click Next.

5. Select the restore point you want to go back to. You can also click on Scan for affected programs to check the apps and programs that will be uninstalled due to the restoration.

6. Click Next once again, and then select Finish.
7. After the restoration is done, you can reinstall your game.

8. Perform a Clean Boot

1. Press Win and R keys.
2. Type msconfig and select OK.
3. Go to the Services tab and check mark Hide all Microsoft services and select Disable all.

4. Go to the Startup tab.
5. Click on Open Task Manager.

6. Disable all the enabled programs and note them.

7. Close Task Manager.
8. Go to the Startup tab and select OK.
9. Restart your computer now, and it will be in a clean boot state.

Identify the Problem in Clean Boot

Run your game, and if it starts correctly, do the following to identify the problem:

1. Again, press Win + R and type msconfig.
2. Go to the Services tab.
3. Select Hide all Microsoft services.
4. Now uncheck the services in the upper half.

5. Select OK and click Restart.
6. Now check if the error still occurs after rebooting.

1st Case: If it doesn’t, then it means one of the unselected services was the problem. For this case, unselect the upper-half services and select the lower-half ones, then restart the computer.

If the error occurs now, then uncheck 2, 3, or 4 services before every restart until the error disappears. This will help you identify which service caused the problem.

2nd Case: If the error still occurs, then one of the selected services can be the issue. Uncheck 2, 3, or 4 services every time and restart your computer until the error doesn’t appear.

If none of the services is the problem, then move on to step 7. And if only one service was the problem, then you can keep it disabled before booting into normal mode.

7. Go to the Startup tab and run the task manager.
8. Enable the upper half of the programs that you disabled.
9. Restart the computer and see if the 0xc0000417 error occurs.

First case: If the error doesn’t show up, then one of the unselected programs is causing the issue. Disable the upper half of the programs and enable the lower half. Now restart the computer.

If the issue occurs now, then disable 2 or 3 programs every time before restarting until you isolate the one that is causing the error.

2nd case: If the error shows up, then one of the enabled programs is causing the issue. Disable a couple of programs each time before restarting until you find the one causing the error.

Once the problematic service or program is identified, contact the program manufacturer to check if the problem can be resolved. Otherwise, run Windows with the startup program disabled and the service unchecked.

If none of the services or programs were the issue, then one of Microsoft’s services could be. Go through the recovery options in Windows.

Restart your Computer in Normal Mode After a Clean Boot

To restart the computer normally after a clean boot, follow the steps below:

1. Type msconfig after pressing Win + R and go to the General tab.
2. Select Normal Startup.

3. On the services tab, uncheck the Hide all Microsoft services tab and click on Enable all.

4. Disable any service if it caused the error.
5. Click Apply.
6. Now go to the Startup tab.
7. Open the Task Manager.

8. Re-enable all the programs you disabled.

9. Disable any program if it caused the error.
10. Select OK and restart the computer.

If you’re facing some issues, then contact Microsoft support or post your query on the Microsoft forum. The moderators or developers will get back to you with some more proposed solutions.