How To Fix Error 0xc000007b

Error 0xc000007b is one of the most annoying Windows errors that users have to face these days while accessing some application (including games like Fifa, GTA 5, Max Payne 3, Battlefield, Far Cry, Assassins Creed, Call of Duty and many other games and applications which are pretty popular among the people).

The error code 0xc000007b mainly appears like shown below, but it can also appear while accessing some application:

Error code 0xc000007b means INVALID_IMAGE_FORMAT, and generally occurs due to absence or damage of some system or application files. The most common cause of this error – problems with NVIDIA drivers, other video cards are also subject to look at.

However, there may be other reasons for this error: interrupted installation of updates, incorrect shutdown of the computer or deletion of programs directly from the installation folder. In addition, the error can be related with some damage in the files of the following programs: Microsoft Visual C++, Direct X and .NET Framework.

So let’s start with the methods to fix error code 0xc000007b in Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.

Methods to Fix Error 0xc000007b in Windows 7, 8.1, 10

Here are some methods to test one by one. Before trying them, don’t forget to check your system with any antivirus as sometimes this is due to some virus in your computer.

Method 1. Update your NVIDIA video card drivers

The first action we would recommend before performing any others – to update the drivers for your video card, especially if it’s NVIDIA. Go to the official website of the manufacturer of your computer or laptop or just on the site nvidia.com and find the needed driver for your video card.

Download them, install and restart the computer. It is very likely that the error will disappear after that.

Method 2: Running The Application as an Administrator

Try to start the game/application as Administrator. For example, in GTA, this in some cases helps to fix the error. Follow the instructions:

1. Right click on the application .exe file;
2. Click on the option Run as administrator

Method 3: Re-install The Application

This method is simply but it is helpful for a lot of people who had this problem. All you have to do is to re-install the application in which you are having this problem.

1. Uninstall the application from Control Panel.
2. Restart Windows.
3. Re-install the application from original disk/image.

Method 4: Try to run application using the compatibility modeRun Application in Compatibility Mode:

• Right click on Application icon –> Click on Properties;

• Click on Compatibility tab;

• Check-up the box named Run this program in compatibility mode for;

• In the drop-down menu select an earlier version of Windows;

• Click Apply, and then OK.

Sometime the application you are using is not compatible with your system. To fix this issue you have to try run these apps in compatibility mode. This is basically effective for the games which requires high system configuration like Fifa, Far Cry, Assassins Creed, Call of Duty and many others.

Check NTFS Application Permission:

• Open Application installation folder. Open C:\Program Files (x86)\[Apps Folder]
• Right click Application folder –> Click on Properties;
• Click Security tab;
• Check-up Full control. Check the checkbox inside the Allow column;
• Click Apply, and then OK.

Method 5: Check system files integrity

Check the integrity of the system files. To do this, open the command line with administrator privileges and execute the command:

sfc /scannow

With this command, Windows will scan system files and fix some errors.

If you receive an error Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files, run the following commands:
dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Method 6: Check Your Hard Disk for errors

The cause of the error can be a corruption in the logical structure of the file system or physical damage to the disk and can be resolved by checking your hard disk.

Run Command prompt as administrator;
Search for the cmd.exe in the search bar:

For Windows 7,10 – Click on the Start Button in the left bottom corner and type cmd.exe in the search bar.
For Windows 8.1 – Press the .Search key and type cmd.exe.


Right Click on the cmd.exe and click on Run as administrator;
Type chkdsk c: /f /r and press Enter.
It your Windows is installed on C:\ drive then it will ask you to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts;
Type Y and press Enter.



Method 7: Check and fix dll dependencies with Dependency Walker

In the event that the error is related to the error 0xc000007b when starting the game, it is worth trying to study the dependent files of the game using the utility Dependency Walker.

Download and unpack the Dependency Walker x64 from the official website http://www.dependencywalker.com/;
Run Dependency Walker, press File -> Open and select the problem game .exe file (not a shortcut);
In the Module section, find the red error messages;
Select problem dlls and look at the cause of the error;
If the error is Error opened file. The system cannot find the file specified …, so the problem is that this library is missing;
Try to find the appropriate dll files on the dll-files.com and put the downloaded files in the root folder with the game or in the C:\Windows\system32 folder;







Now you are done! This will fix Error 0xc000007b