The most effective fix is to repair the runtime environment. Go to Microsoft’s official website and download the latest "Visual C++ Redistributable Packages" (both x86 and x64 versions). Uninstall the old versions via Control Panel, then reinstall them fresh. This ensures all system DLLs are the correct bit-version.
For PC gamers, few things are as frustrating as launching a highly anticipated game like eFootball PES 2021 only to be met with a stark system error dialog: "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc00007b)." This error acts as an immediate barrier between the user and the gaming experience. Unlike a simple crash, this specific hexadecimal code indicates a fundamental mismatch between the game’s expectations and the system’s configuration, typically revolving around 32-bit and 64-bit architecture compatibility. The most effective fix is to repair the runtime environment
Run the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft. This will scan for and replace any corrupted or mismatched DirectX files without requiring a full OS reinstall. This ensures all system DLLs are the correct bit-version
If you own PES 2021 on Steam, right-click the game in your Library → Properties → Installed Files → "Verify integrity of game files." This replaces any accidental modifications, such as rogue DLLs placed by third-party patches. Run the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from
The error code 0xc00007b stands for STATUS_INVALID_IMAGE_FORMAT . In plain English, this means that the application (PES 2021) is trying to load a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file that is either corrupt or, more commonly, the wrong "bitness." For example, if a 64-bit game tries to load a 32-bit version of a critical Windows system file (or vice versa), Windows throws this error because it cannot reconcile the two different architectures.
To resolve error 0xc00007b for PES 2021, a systematic approach is required. Unlike simple registry cleaners, these solutions address the root architecture mismatch.
Navigate to the PES 2021 installation folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\eFootball PES 2021 ). Look for any manually added DLL files like xinput1_3.dll , d3dx9_43.dll , or msvcr120.dll . Delete them. The game should rely on the system-wide versions installed in C:\Windows\System32 (for 64-bit) or SysWOW64 (for 32-bit compatibility).