Getting the error message 0xc0000005 on a Windows 11 device is stressful, especially since the message doesn't specify the issue going on on the computer. If you're currently in this situation, we're here to help. We'll explain the causes and variations behind Windows 11 0xc0000005 and present the best working solutions according to the cause.

Stay tuned for a bonus tip to help you retrieve your valuables after fixing the error since some solutions may lead to data loss.

In this article
    1. Check if You Can Run Windows 11
    2. Recreate Hard Drive Partitions
    3. Run Ram Diagnostics
    4. Reset Your App
    5. Reinstall Your App
    6. Update Drivers
    7. Do a Registry Repair
    8. Disable Dep
    9. Run Sfc
    10. Run Chkdsk

Causes and Variations of the 0xc0000005 Error Code in Windows 11

Windows 11 0xc0000005 error is also known as Access Violation error. It's displayed as a pop-up window in the scenarios we'll mention below. The message will notify you that you cannot approach an application/file/computer, and we'll present corresponding solutions to help you navigate the journey.

Causes Solutions
Location access error Disable Dep
Update Drivers
Windows update/installation error Check the requirements
Recreate hard drive partitions
Do a registry repair
Run sfc
Run chkdsk
Application running errorReset or reinstall the app
Run ram diagnostics

As you can see, two main causes may lead to the error message above, and we'll teach you how to resolve them successfully below.

Best Windows 11 0xc0000005 Error Code Fixes

Below is a list of the best solutions you can try to fix the 0xc0000005 error code message.

Check if You Can Run Windows 11

First, you should check whether your device can run Windows 11 properly. In most cases, the error message will appear if your device doesn't qualify for the latest Windows version, so you may have to revert to Windows 10.

If you have an older device, we advise you to check these requirements before Windows 11 installation:

  • A 64-bit processor with at least 1GHz.
  • At least 4GB of RAM.
  • A minimum of 64GB of storage.
  • UEFI system firmware.
  • A graphics card Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.

If your device doesn't meet these requirements, you won't be able to run Windows 11 properly. You can check your device's specifications by following these steps:

  1. Open Settings on your device.
  2. Click on the System option.
    system settings on windows
  3. Scroll down and click on About from the menu.
    device specifications

After this, you can determine whether you should select another fix for the error message, or whether you should use an older Windows version.

Recreate Hard Drive Partitions

When installing Windows 11 to your PC, creating primary partitions is a must to ensure your operating system will run properly. If you've missed this step during the installation, you can use diskpart to make it up. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

  1. Open Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
    open cmd
  2. Type diskpart and press Enter.
  3. Type the list disk command and press Enter. Detect your hard drive.
  4. Type the select disk < index_number > command and replace the index number with the number of your drive. Press Enter.
  5. Next, run the clean all command.
  6. Type create partition primary and press Enter.
  7. Run the format override fs=NTFS label=< partition_label> command and select your desired partition label.
  8. Type assign to assign a letter to the partition.
    create primary partition

After running these commands, we advise you to restart your device and check for error messages again.

Run Ram Diagnostics

If your RAM is faulty, it won't be able to start your Windows operating system, leading to the 0xc0000005 error code on your device. You can run a simple test to check whether your hardware is causing the issue. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

  1. Click the Windows key on your keyboard and type Windows Memory Diagnostic. Open the first option.
    windows memory diagnostics
  2. From the next window, click on Restart Now and Check For Problems.
    check for ram problems

After this, you should let the program do its job. After completing the process, it will automatically restart your device and display the results on the screen. If there's an issue with your RAM, we advise you to consult with professionals or purchase another component.

Reset Your App

If your apps are causing a problem, you may want to reset them and give them a fresh start. The reset process is quick and easy, as shown in the guide below. However, we must mention that this method will erase your app's data, but we'll discuss recovery methods in a minute.

  1. Open Settings on your device.
  2. Head to Apps>Installed Apps.
    installed apps
  3. Find the app you want to reset and click on the three dots next to it.
  4. Select Advanced Options from the drop-down menu.
    advanced options
  5. Scroll down and click the Reset button.
    reset the app

Once you finish the process, open the application and see whether the error message will pop up.

Reinstall Your App

The abovementioned process may not work in all cases, which is when you should uninstall and reinstall the problematic application.

note
Note: We must note again that the app's data will be lost during this process, so checking out the bonus tip is crucial for the best experience.

Without further ado, let's jump to the reinstallation guide:

  1. Open Settings on your device.
  2. Head to Apps>Installed Apps.
    installed apps
  3. Click on the three dots next to the problematic app.
  4. Click Uninstall from the drop-down menu.
    uninstall the application
  5. Agree to uninstall the application.
  6. Next, head to the official Microsoft Store or other official sources and download the app again.

Now, the problematic application should work with no issues.

Update Drivers

Outdated disk drivers may lag and cause the 0xc0000005 error message to appear. You must keep your drivers up-to-date to ensure a superb computing experience. Here's how to do it in a few simple steps:

  1. Click on the Windows key and search for Device Manager.
    open the device manager
  2. Click on the arrow next to Disk Drivers.
  3. Right-click on the main driver and select Update Driver from the drop-down menu.
    update driver

After this, we advise you to restart your Windows 11 PC to apply the changes and ensure a smooth journey.

Do a Registry Repair

Your Windows Registry may be corrupted or filled with junk files impacting your desktop's performance. One of the best ways to deal with this issue is to clean your registry and give it a fresh start. We'll teach you how to do it below.

  1. Click the Windows + R buttons simultaneously.
  2. Type Regedit into the box and press Enter.
    open registry editor
  3. Head to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\microsoft\windowsNT\Currentversion\windows\LoadAppInit_DLLs.
    open the desired location
  4. Double-click on LoasAppInit_DLLs and adjust the values from 0 to 1.
  5. Click OK to apply the changes.

Once the program finishes, your Windows 11 operating system should work better and eliminate the 0xc0000005 error code. We advise you to restart your computer to get the most out of your experience.

Disable Dep

Data Execution Protection(DEP) is a program that protects your device from potential viruses and malware attacks. However, not all applications are compatible with the program, so the 0xc0000005 error message may pop up when you try to run the application. The best solution is to disable DEP and download another antivirus solution.

  1. Press the Windows + R keys and type sysdm.cpl in the box. Press Enter.
    sysdm.cpl
  2. Head to the Advanced tab and click on the Settings button under Performance.
    advanced settings
  3. In the next window, click on the Data Execution Protection tab.
  4. Ensure that the Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select option isn't selected.
    turn off dep

After disabling DEP, restart your device and try to open the application again.

Run Sfc

System File Checker is a built-in tool for Windows devices that can successfully detect and repair potential issues with your system files. Thus, if you run this command, the program will instantly repair all the suspicious files and make your operating system as good as new. Here's how to run the command:

  1. Search for Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
    open command prompt
  2. Type the sfc/scannow command and press Enter.
    run sfc

The program will take a few minutes to scan and repair your files. Make sure not to exit the Command Prompt during the process. After the repairs, you can restart your desktop device and see whether the 0xc0000005 error has been removed.

Run Chkdsk

CHKDSK is another powerful solution that will detect and repair possible issues with your hard drive. The command will dive deep into the hard drive to reveal all problems and make your hard drive work as smoothly as possible. You can run the command by following these steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt and select Run As Administrator.
  2. Next, type the chkdsk X: /f /r command and press Enter. Replace X with the letter of your drive.
    chkdsk f r

The f and r letters are for fix and repair, so this command will detect potential issues successfully. The process may last a few minutes, so make sure your device has enough power during the task. Once complete, restart your device and watch the error message disappear.

How to Recover Lost Data After Fixing the 0xc0000005 Code on Windows 11

Although the abovementioned solutions for fixing the 0xc0000005 error message are highly efficient, they may not be the best for your data. As mentioned above, some might delete all your data, leading to even more stressful scenarios.

If you've performed the solutions above without backing up your data, we have a solution for you. You can easily retrieve valuable information using robust third-party software solutions such as Wondershare Recoverit.

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This tool has been on the market for more than 20 years and currently has more than 35 patented technologies, proving its reliability and recovery power. Moreover, the tool can recover all file types from most data loss scenarios, so you won't have to worry about losing your valuables forever.

The best part about it is that it's intuitive and easy to use; you don't need experience in the recovery field to be able to retrieve your data. Head to the official Wondershare Recoverit website, download the tool to your Windows desktop device, and follow the steps below to get your valuables back within minutes:

  1. Open Wondershare Recoverit and click on the Hard Drives and Locations option from the menu.
  2. Next, select the location you want to scan from the available options.
    select the location to scan
  3. As soon as you select the location, the program will start scanning. You can track the process and view the progress in the next window.
    scan the location
  4. Filter your files according to their type and size for easier access.
    filter by file type
  5. You can also search for specific files by their names.
    filter by Image name
  6. Once the scanning process is complete, preview the recovered files and select the ones to save. Click the Recover button.
    preview and recover
  7. Choose where to save the files.
    choose the path

And just like that, all your files will be back in your hands!

Conclusion

Today's guide focused on the 0xc0000005 error message you may have received recently and didn't know how to react. We've presented the possible causes behind the issue and introduced solutions accordingly.

Since some of the solutions mentioned above may affect your data experience and lead to file loss, we've prepared the most powerful recovery solution that will keep your panic levels to a minimum. Wondershare Recoverit can successfully extract all file types from any data loss scenario, so you won't have to worry about your files getting lost forever.

Try Recoverit to Restore Data After Fixing the 0xc0000005 Code

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David Darlington
David Darlington Dec 16, 24
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