Troubleshooting Guide: Application Error 574 (Exception %s (0x…))
Why This Error Happens
Error 574, appearing as an “Application Error” with an exception code, typically indicates that a running process encountered an unhandled exception—often a memory access violation (commonly 0xC0000005) or a stack overflow. This is frequently caused by corrupted application files, incompatible or outdated device drivers, or damaged system DLLs that the application depends on. Insufficient permissions on the executable or its dependent files can also trigger this fault, especially after a Windows Update or software patch.
Step-by-Step Resolution Guide
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Check Event Viewer for details
PressWin + X→ select Event Viewer → navigate to Windows Logs > Application. Locate the Event ID 574 entry and note the faulting module name (e.g.,ntdll.dll,kernel32.dll) under the “General” tab — this identifies whether the issue is system-level or app-specific. -
Run System File Checker and DISM
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
sfc /scannow
Followed by:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
This repairs corrupted system files that may be causing the exception.
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Update or roll back drivers
Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates. If the error started after a recent driver update, instead open Device Manager, right-click the suspected device, select Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver. -
Reinstall or repair the affected application
Navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, locate the problematic program, and select Modify or Repair if available. If not, uninstall completely and reinstall using an official installer from the vendor. -
Check file/folder permissions
Right-click the application’s install folder (commonly underC:\Program Files\orC:\Program Files (x86)\) → Properties > Security tab → ensure your user account has Full Control permissions.
Alternative or Verification Steps
- Verify the fix: Reopen the application and monitor Event Viewer for 24–48 hours to confirm Error 574 does not recur under the same faulting module.
- Alternative fix: If the error persists, create a new local user profile (Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add account) to rule out a corrupted user profile as the root cause.