How to Fix ‘Error Code: 0xc000012f’ Bad Image on Windows 11?

Launching an app like Windows Security or Microsoft Office might suddenly show a “Bad Image” popup with error code 0xc000012f, stopping the app from opening. This code means that a file the app needs (like a DLL or program file) is either damaged or not made to work with Windows.

The problem usually happens because some Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable files are broken or don’t match, often after a recent Windows update or after you’ve installed a new app. Some computers also get this error if an update for .NET Framework didn’t finish properly or if a security update was incomplete.

Now that you know the causes, let’s discuss the solutions

1. Replace the Corrupted DLL File

The first thing you should do when you see the Bad Image error is to replace the file mentioned in the error message. If you look closely at the message, it should point to a DLL file that is either corrupted or damaged. Since DLL files are crucial for running applications, you’ll need to make sure they are in working order. Although DLL files don’t usually become corrupted, it is not unheard of, and programs relying on them may stop working as a result.

If this applies to your situation, you can replace the corrupted file with a fresh one. While we don’t usually recommend downloading files from just any website, there are some trusted sources we’ve used ourselves.

1. First, visit the dll-files website by clicking here. We recommend this website because it’s reputable and we have used it ourselves without issue.
2. On the site, use the search bar to look for the DLL file mentioned in your error message.

   

3. Click on the DLL file found in the search results.

   

4. Scroll down and press the Download button to get the file.

   

5. Once the file is downloaded, extract it to a location on your PC.
6. Go to that folder and copy the DLL file.
7. Open Windows Explorer.

   

8. In the address bar, type or paste the following path and press Enter:

   C:\Windows\System32

   

9. If the error message points to a different folder, go to that directory instead.
10. Paste the DLL file you copied. If prompted, choose the Replace option.
11. Now, try running the application again to see if the error is resolved.

Reinstall Microsoft Visual Redistributables

Another common cause for the Bad Image error is missing or mismatched Microsoft runtime libraries. These libraries are essential since most Windows applications are created using Microsoft’s C and C++ tools. If these runtime libraries are not present (or if there’s a version mismatch), you may see this error. We recommend uninstalling all current Microsoft Visual Redistributables on your machine and then reinstalling them.

1. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in your Start Menu.

   

2. Click on Uninstall a Program under the Programs section.

   

3. Look through the list of installed programs for any Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables. Double-click on each one to uninstall it. Make a note of the different versions you see (for example, 2013, 2015, etc.).

   

4. Once you’ve removed all redistributables, restart your computer.
5. After your PC restarts, visit the official Microsoft download page for Microsoft Visual Redistributables by clicking here.
6. Scroll down and download the versions of redistributables you need again.
7. Install them by running the downloaded files.
8. Once installed, check if your problem is resolved by launching the application again.

3. Reinstall the Problematic Application

If neither of the above methods helps and you still see the error, your next step should be to reinstall the application causing the issue. Reinstalling the application gives you brand new copies of all the necessary files, which can solve problems caused by missing or corrupted files.

Normally, you’ll know which program is causing the error because the message appears when you try to open it. But sometimes, the error message can show up at random, even if you aren’t actively launching a program. This might happen if the problematic app is set to start automatically with Windows.

To identify which application is causing the error, look closely at the message. On the title bar—before the ‘Bad Image’ text—you’ll usually see the name of the application. Also, if the DLL file mentioned isn’t a Microsoft system file, that could help you pinpoint which application is to blame.

Once you identify the program, go ahead and uninstall the application from your computer. Restart your PC to make sure any leftover files are removed. After restarting, reinstall the latest version of the application from its official website or source. Now, check to see if this resolves the error.

If you follow these steps carefully, you should be able to fix the Bad Image error and get your application running again!