How to Fix Error Code 0xc0000005 on Windows

Error code 0x0000005, also known as “Access Violation,” is a general error message that occurs when a program tries to access a memory location without proper permissions. It can lead to many frustrating issues, such as application crashes, system instability, or blue screen of death. For those with limited computer experience, this Windows error can be a real headache. However, there’s no need to worry as we’ve got you covered. In this full guide, we’ll provide you with 7 methods to fix exception code 0xc0000005. Don’t stop scrolling!

Reasons of Windows error code 0xc0000005

Typically, you will get error code 0xc0000005 in three situations:

• When installing Windows
• When running an application
• When accessing a location or data from a location

 

Unfortunately, there are several reasons why Windows error 0xc0000005 occurs. Before delving into solutions, you must consider multiple possibilities. Some common causes include:

• Faulty RAM or insufficient memory resources.
• Corrupted system files.
• Malware or virus infection.
• Outdated device drivers.
• Improper Windows registry configuration.

 

How can I recover lost data caused by exception code 0xc0000005?

There is a possibility that error 0xc0000005 could result in permanent data loss. However, Tenorshare 4DDiG can help you get back lost files with just a few clicks. With its advanced algorithms, 4DDiG has become one of the most acclaimed data recovery software in the industry. Here are its main features:

• Offers two scanning modes to recover all your lost files.
• Allow users to recover 2GB of lost data for free.
• Impressive success rate and user-friendly interface.
• Retrieves over 2000 types of files, such as pictures, videos, audio, documents, archives, and more.
• Suitable for different data loss scenarios, including accidental deletion, system crashes, hardware failure, partition loss, etc.

 

Given below is a guide on how to use 4DDiG to retrieve your lost files due to error code 0xc0000005:

Step 1: Install and launch the 4DDiG Data Recovery tool on your computer. Select the internal/external disk where your data was lost from the main interface. Then, click on the “Scan” button to proceed.

Step 2: During the scan, 4DDiG will display a list of recoverable files. To find the target files, you can switch to “File View” mode or “Tree View” mode from the left sidebar. Depending on the size of the selected device, this process may take a while.

Step 3: Once the scan is completed, select the desired files and hit the “Recover” button. You’ll be prompted to choose a safe location to save the recovered files.

How to fix exception code 0xc0000005 on Windows?

Now, we’ll talk about the corresponding solutions for three different scenarios. Here are they:

Scenario 1: Access violation 0xc0000005

Solution 1: Check RAM Heath

When encountering the ‘0xc0000005 exception_access_violation’ error, the first step is to check for any problems with your computer’s RAM. We strongly recommend using the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool because it’s free and beginner-friendly. To do so:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys, type “mdsched.exe,” and click “OK.”

Step 2: Save all important files first and select the first option.

Step 3: During the boot process, the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool will run automatically. If there are any memory issues, you will need to replace the faulty RAM.

Solution 2: Run an SFC scan

One effective way to fix Windows error code 0xc0000005 is to run an SFC scan. SFC, short for System File Checker, is a built-in Windows utility that allows users to repair corrupted or missing system files. To ensure the integrity of system files, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Right click on the Start button. Then, open Command Prompt(Admin) from the list.

Step 2: Type the “sfc /scannow” command and execute it.

Step 3: After the scan is complete, reboot your computer.

Solution 3: Turn off the DEP feature

Although the DEP feature can protect Windows from viruses and malware, some older applications may be incompatible with it. That’s why you encounter the ‘0xc0000005 exception_access_violation’ error. To temporary disable this feature, follow the given steps:

Step 1: Press Windows + R, type in “sysdm.cpl” and hit the Enter key.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Advanced” tab, and within the “Performance” section, click on “Settings”.

Step 3: Switch to the “Data Execution Prevention” tab. Proceed by selecting the option “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select”.

Step 4: Click on the “Add” button, then locate and add the problematic program to the exception list.

Step 5: Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Solution 4: Deactivate the AppInit DLLs mechanism

To fix exception code 0xc0000005, you can disable the AppInit DLLs mechanism in the Windows registry. This is because malware often uses this mechanism to load malicious code during system startup. Here is how:

Step 1: Press Win + R, type “regedit,” and hit Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

Step 3: Locate the AppInit_DLLs value. Once you’ve found it, double-click on it to edit its value.

Step 4: Make sure the value data field is empty.

Step 5: Save the changes by clicking on “OK.” Finally, restart your computer.

Scenario 2: The application was unable to start correctly 0xc0000005

Solution 1: Update device drivers

Sometimes, outdated or incompatible device drivers can be the culprit of exception code 0xc0000005. You can update or reinstall them with the following steps:

Step1: Start by pressing Windows Key + X and selecting “Device Manager” from the menu.

Step 2: Expand the Disk Drives category, right-click on the problematic driver and opt for “Update device.”

Step 3: Choose how you want to search for the latest driver software.

 

Solution 2: Repair the BCD file

If you get the error message ‘the application was unable to start correctly 0xc0000005,’ it is likey because the boot configuration data is damaged, misconfigured, or contains incorrect entries. To fix BCD errros, follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Click on the Windows Start button, followed by clicking on the “Power” icon. While holding down the Shift key on your keyboard, click on “Restart”. 

Step 2: Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt.”

Step 3: You will need to type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /rebuildbcd
• exit

 

Step 4: Restart your computer again and check if the error 0xc0000005 is resolved.

Scenario 3: Windows installation encountered an unexpected error 0xc0000005

You can easily resolve exception code 0xc0000005 by deleting and recreating the Windows hard disk partition. To do so:

Step 1: Boot your computer using the Windows installation media. Delete all existing partitions when prompted to select a partition for Windows installation.

Step 2: Now, you will see a single drive labeled “Drive 0 Unallocated Space.” Select it and click “New” to create a new partition. Windows will automatically calculate the maximum storage space available and display it. Then, click “Apply” to confirm the changes.

Step 3: Click “Next” on the new partition to continue the installation process.

Conclusion

In short, we’ve explored 7 methods on how to fix Windows error code 0xc0000005. This error often occurs while running a program or during Windows installation, leaving you feeling helpless. To choose the right solution, it is important to understand the reasons behind error 0xc0000005.  In most cases, this irritating issue can be resolved by running a virus scan or replacing faulty RAM. If you’ve lost any data or files are inaccessible, 4DDiG Windows Data Recovery can be your lifesaver.