Fix MSTeams.exe Bad Image Error Status 0xc0000020 in Windows 11/10

Some Windows 11/10 PC users that have successfully upgraded their device are experiencing quite a number of Windows 11 issues. Some are reporting the issue whereby when opening Microsoft Teams or clicking the Chat icon on the taskbar, they receive the msteams.exe – Bad Image Error status 0xc0000020. If you’re affected by a similar issue, this post will help you fix the error.

When you encounter this issue, you’ll receive the following full error message;

msteams.exe – Bad Image

C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\MicrosoftTeams_21239.300.960.1678_x64_8wekyb3d8bbwe WebView2Loader.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support. Error status 0xc0000020.

What is Bad image error?

Essentially, Bad Image error that occurs on your Windows 11/10 PC, is when Windows cannot run the programs you tried running on your device. This error appears mainly if the File is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error due to the files and libraries needed to run the program being corrupted due to an update.

MSTeams.exe Bad Image Error Status 0xc0000020

If you’re faced with this issue, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to fix this msteams.exe – Bad Image error 0xc0000020 that has occurred on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 device.

Run SFC and DiSM scan
Reset Taskbar Chat
Reset Microsoft Teams
Rename Microsoft Teams folder
Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Teams
Create new User Account
Perform System Restore
Reset Windows 11

Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.

Before you try the solutions below, check for updates and install any available bits on your Windows 11 device and see if the error reappears when you launch the Chat application.

1] Run SFC and DiSM scan

This could be a case of system file corruption. So, your first line of action in troubleshooting and fixing the error msteams.exe – Bad Image error status 0xc0000020 that has occurred on your Windows 11 device is to run SFC scan and DISM scan by following the instructions in this post Windows 11 Taskbar not working.

2] Reset Taskbar Chat

Since the error in view also occurs when you click the Chat icon on the taskbar, instead of opening the Chatbox showing Meet and Chat buttons, you can reset the Taskbar Chat to default settings and see if that helps. Otherwise, try the next solution.

Read: Fix Bdeunlock.exe Bad image Error.

3] Reset Microsoft Teams

In Windows 11/10, if you are having issues with Microsoft apps installed on your device, you can reset or repair the app.

Try the next solution if this didn’t work for you.

Read: Fix Bad Image Error 0xc0000428.

4] Rename Microsoft Teams folder

This solution requires you to rename the Microsoft Teams folder in the WindowsApps folder on your Windows 11 computer.

Do the following:

Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
Next, show hidden files/folder.
Now, navigate to the directory path below:

C:\Program Files\WindowsApps

Note: You may get the following pop-up message when you try to open the WindowsApps folder:

You have been denied permission to access this folder. To gain access to this folder you will need to use the security tab.

If you receive this prompt, simply Take Ownership of the folder and continue.

Once you have taken ownership of the WindowsApps folder, open the folder.
In the open folder, look for the following folder:

MicrosoftTeams_21239.300.960.1678_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe and MicrosoftTeams_21239.300.960.1678_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe

Once found, rename the folders by adding .old at the end of the folder name.
Exit File Explorer.
Restart PC

On boot, check if the issue is resolved. If not, try the next solution.

5] Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Teams

This solution requires you to completely uninstall Microsoft Teams from your Windows 11 PC, and afterwards, reinstall the app.

6] Create new User Account

The error in view might also occur due to user account issues on your Windows 11 device. In this case, you can create a new user account, then log into the account and see if the error reappears when you try to launch Microsoft Teams or click the Chat icon on the taskbar.

If the new user account solves the issue, you can move your files/data to the new account from the old account.

Try the next solution if the error still occurs within the new user account.

7] Perform System Restore

If you were not having issues with Microsoft Teams or Chat, but out of the blue the error started, you can perform System Restore and select a restore point prior to when the error started to occur on your device.

8] Reset Windows 11

If at this point, the error is still not fixed, it’s likely due to severe system corruption. In this case, you can reset Windows 11 to resolve the issue.

How do I fix error 0xc0000020 in Windows 11?

If you get error code 0xc0000020 in Windows 11 while running a program, it implies that you are trying to run an incompatible application. It mainly arises when you try to run an incompatible 32-bit app on a 64-bit machine. The simple solution to fix this error is to download the compatible version and install it.

How do I fix Teams.exe bad image in Windows 11?

The easiest way to fix Teams.exe bad image error in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is to uninstall the app and reinstall it. However, if you get this problem frequently, you can try running the app in Safe Mode and check if it does the same thing or not. If yes, you need to download the latest version of Microsoft Teams from the official website only and install the app accordingly.

Hope this helps!