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Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022: Browser not working/crashing [Fixed]

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022 wherein the browser is not working/crashing. The Redmond Giant releases updates at frequent intervals. The ones enrolled in the developer/invider preview gets blessed with the nightly updates wheres the beta testers get these fortnightly. And when all the issues are ironed out, it is slated for the stable rollout on a monthly basis. However, these update might accompany a bug or two in rare instances.

And this is what seems to be the case with Windows KB5012599. A few users who have got their hands on this update have reported that the Edge, Chrome and Firefox browsers are frequently crashing or not working along the expected lines. Whenever they are trying to launch any of the aforementioned browsers, they are beign greeted with the following error message: ”The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000022). Click OK to close the application”.

Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022

So what is the reason behind this error? Well, the latest update is conflicting with one of the popular antivirus software named ESET. We are able to identify the cause based on two factors- first off is their official support documentation that laids down this fact and secondly, a few affected users we interacted with had this antivirus installed on their PC. So now that we have got hold of the culprit, let’s check out the various methods to fix the Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022 that is leading to browser crashes.

Fix Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022: Browser Crashing/Not Working

Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022

We have listed three different methods that would help you resolve this bug. Try out each one of them and then see which spells out success in your case.

FIX 1: Enable ESET LiveGrid

  1. To begin with, launch the ESET application on your PC.
  2. Then press F5 [or Fn+F5] to open the Advanced menu.
  3. After that, go to Detection Engine > Cloud-Based Protection.
    Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022
  4. Now enable the toggle next to Enable ESET LiveGrid® reputation system.
  5. Finally, click OK to save the changes. Check if it fixes Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022.

FIX 2: Disable Secure Browser

The latest Wwindows update version KB5012599 is specifically conflicting with the secure browser functionality of ESET. Therefore, you should consider disabling it and then check out the results.

  1. Launch ESET and press F5 [or Fn+F5] to open the Advanced menu.
  2. Then go to Web and Email > Banking & Payment protection.
    Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022
  3. Now disable the toggle next to Secure all browsers and click OK to save it.
  4. Check if it fixes Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022.

FIX 3: Try Vivaldi and Brave

The Windows update KB5012599 that is leading to error 0xc0000022 has affected the likes of Edge, Chrome, and Firefox whereas Vivaldi and Brave are currently free from this bug. So you could temporarily jump ships over to any of these two browsers till the issue is rectified.

Fix 4: Uninstall Windows Update KB5012599

If nown of the aforementioned methods spelled out success, then you have no choice but to rollback to the earlier OS update build. The below steps will show you how this could be done via Settings menu, if you instead wish to do so via CMD, then check out our guide on How to Uninstall Windows 11 Updates via Settings/CMD/Recovery.

  1. To begin with, use the Windows+I shortcut keys to open the Settings menu.
  2. Then select Windows Update from the left menu bar and go to the Update History section.
    Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022
  3. Now scroll to the end of the page and go to Uninstall Updates.
    Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022
  4. Next up, select the update that you wish to remove and then click Uninstall from the top menu bar.
    Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022
  5. Finally, click YES in the confirmation dialog box.
    Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022
  6. The Windows 11 update will now be uninstalled from your PC and the process might take a couple of minutes. Once done, it is recommended to restart your PC for the changes to take place.

So with this, we round off the guide on how you could fix the Windows 11 Error 0xc0000022 wherein the browser is not working/crashing. At the time of writing, there doesn’t seem to be any official confirmation from Microsoft regarding the rollout of a fix. Likewise, while ESET has acknowledged this issue, they are yet to roll out a patch. As an when that happens, we will update this post accordingly. In the meantime, the aforementioned workarounds are your best bet.

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