# The application was unable to start correctly (0xc000007b)

**Code:** `0xC000007B` · **Category:** Windows · **Seen on:** Windows

A program loaded a DLL of the wrong architecture (32-bit vs 64-bit) or a corrupted runtime library.

## Meaning

0xC000007B is STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_FORMAT. Typically a 64-bit app picks up a 32-bit DLL (or vice versa) — often a Visual C++ runtime or DirectX DLL copied into System32 by hand.

## Common causes

- 32/64-bit DLL mismatch
- Corrupted or manually copied Visual C++ / DirectX DLLs
- Mixed DLL versions in the app folder
- Damaged game/app files

## Quick fix

1. Reinstall both x86 and x64 Visual C++ Redistributables
2. Repair/verify the app or game files
3. Remove DLLs you copied into System32/SysWOW64 manually
4. Run `sfc /scannow`

## Detailed fix by platform

### Windows

1. Use Dependencies (successor of Dependency Walker) to see which DLL has the wrong architecture.

## How to diagnose

1. **Architecture** — Is the app 32- or 64-bit?
2. **DLLs** — Which DLL is loaded from where?
3. **Runtimes** — Are both VC++ redistributables installed?

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Source: [WhatIsMyError](https://whatismyerror.com/errors/windows/0xc000007b-application-unable-to-start)