How to Fix Error 0xc0000221?

0xc0000221 is an error code that typically indicates that a driver is not loading properly. This can be caused by a number of things, including outdated drivers, incorrect driver installation, or a corrupted driver file. In some cases, this error can also be caused by malware or a virus.

You are here because you have a question about:

• error code: 0xc0000221
• windows error code 0xc0000221
• 0xc0000221

• Restart your computer and try again
• Check for updates and install any available Windows updates
• Run the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files
• Run the DISM tool to repair the Windows image
• Reset your PC to factory settings

1. Restart your computer and try again

1. Boot your computer from the Windows installation media.
2. Click "Start" and type "cmd" in the search box.
3. Right-click on the "Command Prompt" shortcut and select "Run as Administrator."
4. Type "regedit" and press Enter.
5. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" and create a new string value named "UserName" with the value of your username.
6. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Secrets" and create a new string value named "LogonUser" with the value of your username.
7. Close regedit.
8. Type "net stop wuauserv" and press Enter.
9. Type "net start wuauserv" and press Enter.
10. Type "reboot" and press Enter.
11. If the error still persists, restore your system to its previous configuration using the " Restore Computer to Previous Configuration " option on the Windows Installation Media.

2. Check for updates and install any available Windows updates

1. Launch the Control Panel.
2. Under the Programs category, click Windows Update.
3. In the Windows Update window, click Check for updates.
4. In the Check for updates window, review the available updates, and then click Install updates.
5. In the Install updates window, click OK.
6. If the update requires a restart, click Restart now. Otherwise, click OK.
7. After the updates are installed, click OK in the Windows Update window.

3. Run the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

1. Open the System File Checker tool by clicking on the link below.
2. On the System File Checker tool screen, click on the Start button.
3. In the Start Search box, type “cmd” and press Enter.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter. sfc /scannow
5. If the System File Checker tool finds any missing or corrupted system files, it will show you a list of the affected files. It will also give you a recommendation on how to fix the problem. Follow the recommendation to fix the system files.
6. If the System File Checker tool does not find any missing or corrupted system files, it will report that the system is healthy and will not give you a recommendation on how to fix the problem.

4. Run the DISM tool to repair the Windows image

To run the DISM tool to repair the Windows image, follow these steps:

1. Open a command prompt window. To do this, click Start, typecmd, and then press Enter.
2. Type DISM /online /remove-package /packagepath:C:\Windows\System32\WindowsUpdate\WindowsUpdate.exe
3. Type DISM /online /add-package /packagepath:C:\Windows\System32\WindowsUpdate\WindowsUpdate.exe
4. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsImageBackup
5. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsFeatures
6. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsStorageServer
7. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsServerBackup
8. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsServerStorage
9. Type DISM /online /disable-feature /featurename:WindowsServerBackup
10. Type DISM /online /disable-feature /featurename:WindowsServerStorage
11. Type DISM /online /rebuild-image /source:C:\Windows\System32\WindowsUpdate\WindowsUpdate.exe
12. Type DISM /online /remove-package /packagepath:C:\Windows\System32\WindowsUpdate\WindowsUpdate.exe
13. Type DISM /online /add-package /packagepath:C:\Windows\System32\WindowsUpdate\WindowsUpdate.exe
14. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsImageBackup
15. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsFeatures
16. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsStorageServer
17. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsServerBackup
18. Type DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:WindowsServerStorage
19. Type DISM /online /quit
20. Restart your computer.

5. Reset your PC to factory settings

1. Boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking.
2. Click on Start and then enter "cmd" into the search box.
3. Type "reset" and press Enter.
4. At the command prompt, type "net stop winmgmt" and press Enter.
5. Type "net start winmgmt" and press Enter.
6. At the command prompt, type "regedit" and press Enter.
7. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Restore Points and delete the current restore point.
8. Exit regedit.
9. Type "reboot" and press Enter.
10. After your computer reboots, open Microsoft Edge and visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reset-pc. Click on the link in the Microsoft Edge browser window.
11. Click on the link that says "Reset this PC."
12. Follow the on-screen instructions.
13. After your computer has finished resetting, open the Task Manager and verify that the "Microsoft Windowsreset" process has finished.

Still not working? maybe try one of these options:

1. Replace the affected file with a known good copy.
2. Run a virus scan to check for malware.
3. Perform a clean boot of your PC.
4. Contact Microsoft support for further assistance.