Under certain circumstances, Windows 10 and 11 users might see their applications crash with the stop code 0xc0000135 and the error message “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000135).” In this article, I will show how to fix the 0xc0000135 error in the simplest way possible.
The full error is as follows:
The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000135). Click OK to close the application.
One of the most common reasons for the 0xc0000135 error is the .net framework. Other than that, you might also encounter this error under situations like corrupted files, dependency errors, etc.
Whatever the reason, stop code error 0xc0000135 is quite easy to fix. Here’s how.
Fix Error 0xc0000135 on Windows 10/11
When you see the “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000135). Click OK to close the application.” error, follow these suggestions:
- Enable .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows optional features
- Reset the Microsoft Store app
- Re-install the application causing the error
- Clean boot Windows
Here’s each step in detail.
1. Enable .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows optional features
Applications causing the 0xc0000135 error require .NET Framework 3.5 to work. Enabling .NET Framework 3.5 and Windows Foundation HTTP activation protocols (optional) fixes the problem.
Step 1: Open the Start menu and start typing “Turn Windows features on or off” and click on the relevant search result to open Windows Optional Features dialog box.
Step 2: Select the “.NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0)” checkbox and click “Ok.”
Step 3: Click the “+” icon to expand the “.NET Framework 3.5” option. Next, select the following checkboxes.
- Windows Communication Foundation HTTP Activation
- Windows Communication Foundation Non-HTTP Activation
Step 4: Click/tap on the “OK” button to enable the .NET Framework 3.5 feature on your Windows computer.
Step 5: Click the “Restart Now” button when prompted.
After restarting, the 0xc0000135 is fixed and you can use the application without problems.
If you want, you can also download .NET Framework 3.5 offline installer and install it manually.
2. Reset the Microsoft Store app
After enabling .NET 3.5, reset the Microsoft Store app.
Step 1: Launch the Start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard. Next, start typing “wsreset” and click on the relevant result. It is easy to recognize with its Store icon (refer to the image below).
Step 2: Click on wsreset will immediately reset the Microsoft Store app and opens it anew. Reboot the system.
After restarting the computer, open the application causing the error. It should open without causing the 0xc0000135 error.
3. Re-install the application causing the error
After enabling the .NET 3.5 optional feature, re-install the application causing the error. Oftentimes, cached files of the application are not updated even after you enable the .NET feature. Reinstalling the app will fix it.
Step 1: To reinstall the application, launch the Settings app with the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut.
Step 2: Go to the “Apps > Installed apps” page in the Settings app.
Step 3: Click the three dots icon next to your application’s entry and select the “Uninstall” option.
Step 4: Follow the uninstallation wizard. After uninstalling, restart your computer.
Step 5: After restarting, install the application again.
Once the application has been re-installed, you will no longer see the 0xc0000135 error.
4. Clean boot Windows
After enabling .NET 3.5 and re-installing the application, clean boot Windows. Here’s how.
Step 1: Open the Run window with the Windows key + R shortcut. Type “msconfig” in the dialog box and click/tap on the “Ok” button.
Step 2: Click on the “Services” tab in the System Configuration window. Next, select the “Hide all Microsoft services” checkbox.
Step 3: Click/tap the “Disable all” button and then press the “Ok” button.
Step 4: Click the “Restart” button in the prompt.
Step 5: Run the application causing the 0xc0000135 error.
Step 6: If the application runs properly, close it, open the msconfig window, go to the Services tab, enable a service, reboot Windows, and open the application again. See if it runs without any problems. If there is no problem, enable another service and reboot the system. Do this until you find the service causing the problem or enable all the services.
Step 7: When you find the service that is causing the problem, either disable that service, uninstall the related application, or reinstall the service to fix the problem.
The clean boot troubleshooting method is a bit repetitive and exhausting, especially if you have a lot of services, but it is quite helpful in narrowing down the service causing the 0xc0000135 error.
—
That is all. It is that simple to fix the “The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000135). Click OK to close the application” error.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.
