You might see Error 0xC0000142 when you start an Office application. To help you resolve this, try the solutions below. We've listed the most common solutions first so try the steps in the order they're listed.
Solution 1 - Update Office
Make sure Office is updated to Version 2102 (Build 13801.20808) or later. If you're not setup for automatic updates do the following:
Note: If your IT admin manages Office updates, you may not be able to do the steps below. Contact your admin for help with this error. If you're the admin and need help managing updates in your organization, see Choose how to manage updates.
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In the search box on the taskbar type type Task Scheduler.
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Expand the Task Scheduler Library and select Microsoft > Office.
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In the the middle window find Office Automatic Updates 2.0. Right-click it and select Run.
If updating Office this way doesn't work, try the other options below.
Solution 2 - Repair Office from the Control Panel
How you get to the repair tool depends on your operating system. Choose your operating system from the drop-down list below.
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Right-click the Start button
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Select the Microsoft Office product you want to repair and select Modify. If you don't see any options, select the three dots on the right side.
Note: This will repair the entire Office suite even if it's just one application you want to repair such as Word or Excel. If you have a standalone app installed, then search for that application by name.
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Depending on if your copy of Office is Click-to-run or MSI-based install, you'll see the following options to proceed with the repair. Follow the steps for your installation type.
Click-to-run
In the window How would you like to repair your Office Programs, select Online Repair > Repair to make sure everything gets fixed. (The faster Quick Repair option is also available, but it only detects and then replaces corrupted files.)
MSI-based
In Change your installation, select Repair and then click Continue.
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Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the repair.
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Right-click the Start button
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From Category view, under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
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Right-click the Microsoft Office product you want to repair, and from the drop-down, select Change.
Note: If you have a suite such as Microsoft 365 Family, Office Home & Student 2016, or Office Home and Student 2013, search for the suite name, even if it's just a particular application you want to repair such as Word or Excel. If you have a standalone application such as Word or Excel, search for the application name.
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Depending if your copy of Office is Click-to-run or an MSI-based install, do the following for your Office installation type:
Click-to-Run installation type:
In How would you like to repair your Office Programs, select Online Repair to make sure everything gets fixed, and then select Repair. (The faster Quick Repair option is also available, but it only detects and then replaces corrupted files.)
MSI-based installation type:
In Change your installation, select Repair and then click Continue.
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Follow the remaining instructions on the screen to complete the repair.
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Click the Start button
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From Category view, under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
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Click the Office product you want to repair, and then click Change.
Note: If you have a suite such as Microsoft 365 Family, Office Home & Student 2016, or Office Home and Student 2013, search for the suite name, even if it's just a particular application you want to repair such as Word or Excel. If you have a standalone application such as Word or Excel, search for the application name.
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Depending if your copy of Office is Click-to-run or an MSI-based install, do the following for your Office installation type:
Click-to-Run installation type:
In How would you like to repair your Office Programs, select Online Repair to make sure everything gets fixed, and then select Repair. (The faster Quick Repair option is also available, but it only detects and then replaces corrupted files.)
MSI-based installation type:
In Change your installation, select Repair and then click Continue.
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Follow the remaining instructions on the screen to complete the repair.
Solution 3 - Run Windows update
Check that you're running the latest version of Windows. See Install Windows Update.
Solution 4 - Ensure the Office Software Protection Platform is running
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In Windows, type Services in the search bar and open the app.
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In the list of Services, look for a service called Office Software Protection Platform, right-click and select Properties.
Note: If Office Software Protection Platform isn't listed, you're on a newer version of Office that doesn't use this service. Proceed to the next recommendation.
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Confirm that the Startup type is set to Automatic and Service status is set to Running.
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If Service status says Stopped, select Start to start the service.
Solution 5 - Uninstall and reinstall Office
Tip: Uninstalling Office only removes the Office applications from your computer, it won't remove any of the files, documents, or workbooks you created using the apps.
Use the uninstall troubleshooter to uninstall Microsoft 365, Office 2021, Office 2019, or Office 2016 from your Windows PC.
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Select the button below to start the uninstall troubleshooter.
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Click Open if you get a pop-up window indicating This site is trying to open Get Help.
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Follow the prompts on the remaining screens and when prompted, restart your computer.
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Select the steps for the version of Office you want to install or reinstall.
Microsoft 365 | Office 2024 | Office 2021 | Office 2019 | Office 2016
Important:
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The uninstall troubleshooter currently can't uninstall Office 2024.
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Run the troubleshooter on the same Windows PC with the Microsoft 365 or Office product you want to uninstall.
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You need to be on Windows 10 or higher to run the troubleshooter.
Tip: If the Microsoft 365 uninstall troubleshooter doesn't completely uninstall Microsoft 365 or Office from your PC, you can try to manually uninstall Office.
