The 0x0 0x0 error in Windows is a generic error code that typically appears when the operating system fails to perform an action (typically accessing a file or running a program). The problem can be caused by a number of factors, and this tutorial provides fixes for it.
1. Update the Drivers
One of the most common causes of the 0x0 0x0 error is outdated or corrupt drivers, and the best way to fix any such issues is to update the drivers. Typically, most drivers are updated through Windows Update, but this may not always happen, especially if you have turned off the automatic driver updates in your operating system.
There are few methods that will manually update the drivers. The first is Windows Update. Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings app. Choose Windows Update -> Check for updates. If one or more driver updates are found, take your time to install them, and restart your computer.
Another way to install the latest driver updates is to use the Device Manager. Type device manager in the search area of the taskbar, and click Enter. Right-click the targeted driver (if you are not sure which driver to update, choose one with an exclamation point), and select Update driver -> Search automatically for drivers -> Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.
If there are no available updates, right-click on the targeted driver again, and choose Update driver -> Browse my computer for drivers. Pick an existing driver version, install it, and check whether the issue has been resolved.
2. Rollback the Latest Windows Updates
If you started encountering the problem after installing a system update, there is a chance that the new update is causing the 0x0 0x0 error in Windows. An easy way to fix this issue is by uninstalling the targeted update. This will allow you to revert your system to the state it was in before the problematic update.
To uninstall the update, open the Settings app by pressing the Win + I keys. Choose Windows Update -> Update history -> Uninstall updates. Look for the update that is causing the problem, right-click on it, and choose Uninstall update. Follow the on-screen instructions, and wait for the update to uninstall successfully. Restart your computer, and check whether the issue has been resolved.
3. Disable Simultaneously Running Programs
In some cases, the error can also pop up due to conflicts between programs and applications running at the same time on your computer. If you are running more than one program at the same time, we suggest disabling the simultaneously running programs and checking whether that fixes the problem.
Press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys, and choose Task Manager. In the Processes tab, right-click on the program you want to end, and choose End task. Perform the same steps with all the processes you want to disable, then close the Task Manager. Hopefully, this will fix the error at hand.
4. Use SFC and DISM to Repair Windows
It is not uncommon for such errors to occur due to underlying issues within your system. These issues typically include corruption errors and bugs. An easy way to get rid of them is by using some built-in troubleshooting tools in Windows. We will be making use of SFC and DISM to handle this error.
To use SFC (which is specifically designed to repair system files), open Command Prompt by pressing the Win + R keys, typing cmd, and pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys. Type sfc /scannow, and press Enter to initiate the System File Checker (SFC) scan. This will inspect system files for any corruption and attempt to repair them automatically. The scanning process may take some time, depending on a variety of factors. Let the scan finish without interrupting it.
After running the SFC scan, it’s recommended to perform a Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) scan. In the same Command Prompt window, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, and click Enter to check for component store corruption and attempt to repair it using Windows Update. Like the SFC scan, the DISM scan may take some time to complete. Allow it to finish without interrupting it, then restart your computer to apply any repairs that were made.
5. Perform a Clean Boot
Another solution is to perform a clean boot, which essentially helps identify and troubleshoot software conflicts that may be causing the 0x0 0x0 error in Windows.
Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog, type msconfig, then press OK. Go to Services in the System Configuration window, check the Hide all Microsoft services box, then click the Disable all button.
Go to the Startup tab -> Open Task Manager. Go through the list of startup items, right-click on each one, and select Disable to prevent these programs from starting up with Windows. Close the Task Manager, head back to the System Configuration window, then click OK -> Restart.
After your computer restarts, check to see whether the 0x0 0x0 error still occurs. If it has been resolved, it indicates that one of the third-party services or startup items was causing the issue. If you want to identify the problematic service or startup item, re-enable them one by one, and restart your computer after each change. When the error reappears, you’ll know which service or startup item is causing the problem.
6. Apply a Registry Fix
Some users also managed to fix the problem by deleting the WindowsSelfHost registry key in the system. We also highly recommend creating a Registry backup to be safe while performing this advanced troubleshooting method.
Once you have created a backup, type Registry Editor in the search area of your taskbar, and click Run as administrator. Click Yes in the following UAC prompt. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Microsoft -> WindowsSelfHost. Right-click on the WindowsSelfHost key, and choose Delete. Restart your computer, and check whether the error reappears.
7. Reset Windows
If none of the fixes so far have worked for you, you may consider resetting Windows as a last resort to resolve the 0x0 0x0 error. This will reinstall the operating system, while keeping your personal files intact.
Before you proceed with a reset, make sure to back up any important files or data to an external drive or cloud storage to prevent any potential loss. We also recommend jotting down any important settings or configurations that you may need to reapply after the reset.
Windows errors, though common, are usually not impossible to fix. Hopefully, the steps above will help you fix the error code 0x0 0x0 issue for good. If, however, the error pops up again, consider reaching out to the official Microsoft support team with all the information for additional guidance. We also recommend keeping your system up to date and regularly scanning for malware to prevent such issues in the future. You can also use the Windows Defender antivirus to protect your system.
Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Zainab Falak.
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