How to Fix Bad Image Error 0xc0000006 on Windows 10/11?

Quite a few Windows users have reported that their screens display a ‘Bad Image error’ accompanied with the code 0xc0000006 when they attempt to launch certain applications. This issue seems to affect both native Microsoft applications and third-party programs.

We had a look into the problem and discovered that it is typically caused by faulty updates, corruption errors within the system, corrupt program installation, and broken system files. Below are listed several effective troubleshooting methods that helped users fix this issue. Proceed with the one that suits your situation the best.

Uninstall Update

Microsoft releases new updates every now and then, which are packed with bug fixes and new features. However, while installing the updates is essential to keep your operating system running smoothly, not every update is good. Updates can be buggy at times, which leads to issues such as this.

This is why if you are facing the error code 0xc0000006, then the first thing you need to do is check if the error started occurring after you installed an update. If it did, then uninstalling the update should do the trick for you.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Type Windows Settings in the search area of the taskbar and click Open.
2. In the Settings window, select Window Update from the left pane.
   
3. Click on Update history in the right side of the window.
   
4. Then, scroll down in the next window and click on Uninstall Updates. This should open a window with a list of all the recently installed updates.
   
5. Right-click on the latest one or the one that you think is faulty and select Uninstall from the context menu.
   

   

6. Once the update is uninstalled, check if the issue is fixed.

Run DISM and SFC Scans

As we mentioned earlier, corruption errors and bugs within the system can also result in error code 0xc0000006 being displayed. In this case, the best thing to do is scan the operating system for errors and eliminate the ones identified. 

Since doing this manually is going to take a lot of time, you can make use of the built-in troubleshooting utilities within Windows that are specifically designed for this purpose. Two of the utilities that can help you in this specific case are the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). 

Both the utilities scan the system and its files for errors, and replace the faulty data with healthy counterparts, without much user intervention. Several users were able to fix the issue after running both the utilities, which is why we recommend you perform SFC and DISM scans on your computer too. You can run them via Command Prompt. 

If the error persists after running them, proceed with the next method below.

Replace or Re-register the .dll File

If you look into the dialog box that displays the error, you will notice that it mentions a path of the dll file that is corrupt and cannot run on your Windows operating system. Since the issue is clearly caused because of this faulty .dll file in most cases, you can try fixing the issue by re-registering the file. 

Here is what you need to do:

1. Type cmd in the search area of the taskbar and click on Run as administrator to launch elevated Command Prompt.
2. Inside the Command Prompt window, type the command mentioned below and hit Enter to execute it. Replace the dllfilename with the name of the problematic file.
   

   regsvr32 "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\<dllFileName>"

   
   

3. In case more than one dll file is corrupt and you want to re-register all of them, execute this command.
   

   for %1 in (*.dll) do regsvr32 /s %1

   

4. Once the command is executed successfully, close Command Prompt and restart your PC. Upon reboot, try performing the action that was previously causing the 0xc0000006 error and check if it appears now.

Run Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter

Since this error is caused due to an issue with the program installation, another built-in utility that might be able to help you is the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. It will fix all types of problems that prevent programs from being installed or removed by modifying Windows Registry.

Here is how you can use it:

1. Head over to the official Microsoft page and download the troubleshooter.
   

   

2. Once the program is downloaded, install and launch it.
3. Click Next in the first dialog.
   

   

4. This will automatically launch a scan. Once it is complete, the tool will ask you if you are having problems with installing or uninstalling a program. Choose Installing.
   

   

5. Once you do that, another scan will begin. After it is complete, the tool will ask you to select the program you are trying to install. Select it from the list available on your screen and hit Next.
   

   

6. Now click on Yes, try install and wait for the troubleshooter to fix the problem.
7. Finally, close the utility and perform the task that was previously causing the issue.

Reinstall the Program

There is also a chance that the program you are trying to run is either infected with a corruption error or has not been installed properly on your system. If this scenario is applicable, we recommend you uninstall the program and then reinstall it from scratch. 

If any issue within the application itself was causing the bad image error 0xc0000006, reinstalling it might help you fix the problem. 

Here is what you need to do:

1. Type Control Panel in the search area of your taskbar and click Open.
2. Inside the Control Panel window, click on Uninstall a program.
   
   
3. Now locate and right-click on the problematic program. Then, select Uninstall from the context menu.
   

   

4. Once the uninstallation process is complete, install the application again and check if the problem is fixed.

Use System Restore

Using the System Restore function in Windows, you are able to undo certain kinds of changes to the operating system. By using it, Windows will restore important files and settings back to their previous versions and settings, including drivers, registry keys, system files, and installed programs.

Here is how you can use the restore feature to go back to a version where the error code 0xc0000006 did not exist:

1. Type rstrui in the search area of the taskbar and click Open.
2. Once the System Restore dialog opens, click Next.
3. Now select a restore point and click Next again. If you do not see any restore points, move to the next method below.
   

   

4. Finally, hit Finish and select Yes if a confirmation prompt appears. 
5. Once your system is restored to a previous point, it will restart. Hopefully, you will not face the error code 0xc0000006 again.

Reset This PC

If none of the methods above works for you, then we encourage you to go ahead and reset your PC. 

Resetting your PC will revert it to its default, error-free state, resolving the error in the process. Moreover, you can also choose to keep your files and data intact if you do not want to lose them during the process.