{"id":5845,"date":"2017-11-02T09:39:18","date_gmt":"2017-11-02T04:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.58.113.91\/blog\/?p=5845"},"modified":"2023-08-09T23:05:45","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T17:35:45","slug":"error-0xc000012f-bad-image-fix-corrupt-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/error-0xc000012f-bad-image-fix-corrupt-files\/","title":{"rendered":"Error 0xc000012f “Bad Image” When Running a Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you run a program in Windows, error 0xc000012f may pop up, mentioning that the binary you’re trying to run is corrupted. Here are some examples, with the full error message verbatim:<\/p>\n

<filename> is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support. Error status 0xc000012f<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

C:\\Windows\\System32\\schannel.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor. error: 0xc000012f<\/div>\n

\"bad<\/p>\n

What does Error Status 0xc000012f mean?<\/h2>\n

The error code 0xC000012F<\/code> means STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_NOT_MZ<\/code> or “Bad image”, which means the specified image file did not have the correct format. It did not have an initial MZ.<\/p>\n

Error 0xc000012f denotes that the program’s executable or one of the supporting modules is corrupt. The error 0xc000012f<\/code> may occur in any version of Windows, and the fixes below apply to all versions, including Windows 10\/11.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> SecurityHealthSystray – Bad Image 0xc000012f Error<\/a><\/div>\n

Resolution<\/h2>\n

Fix 1: Obtain a fresh copy of the DLL<\/h3>\n

Obtain a fresh copy of the DLL (named in the error message) from another system that has the same version of the DLL. Copy it to the affected computer. If you can’t copy it while Windows is running, try from Safe mode or Windows RE.<\/p>\n

Fix 2: Uninstall & Reinstall the program<\/h3>\n

Uninstalling and then reinstalling the affected program helps in most cases. Be sure to have the setup file ready.<\/p>\n

Right-click Start, and click Run. Type appwiz.cpl<\/code> and click OK.\u00a0Right-click on the program which is causing the error 0xc000012f “Bad image”, and click Uninstall.<\/p>\n

\"uninstall<\/p>\n

(In Windows 10\/11, you can also use Apps & Features via the modern Settings UI to uninstall programs. Click Start, Settings, Apps & Features.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Note that some vendors offer “clean” uninstaller tools to remove all traces of their program completely. In most cases, the uninstaller tools are more effective than the standard uninstall routine. If the vendor has such a tool, download and run it in addition.<\/p>\n

Run the program’s Setup again to reinstall it. If you don’t have one, visit the software vendor’s website and download the program.<\/p>\n

\n

Winword.exe Bad Image error and gfx.dll?<\/h4>\n

Some users have been receiving the “Bad Image” error when launching Microsoft Word (winword.exe<\/code>). Here’s the full error message:<\/p>\n

WINWORD.EXE - Bad Image<\/strong>\r\n\r\nC:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\gfx.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support. Error status 0xc000012f.\r\n\r\n<\/pre>\n
\"winword.exe<\/p>\n
The module name is usually gfx.dll<\/code>. However, you may see a different module name in the error message dialog. Also, the “bad image” error can be seen when opening Excel, Outlook, or any other Office app<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The Winword.exe bad image error may be caused by one of the following antivirus programs you use:<\/p>\n