ACTIVE MALWARE WINDOWS

How to fix
Windows 0xC0000221: STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH error
on Windows

Resolve the 0xC0000221 error on Windows 10 or 11 effortlessly. Follow expert-tested solutions for a smooth recovery, with screenshots included.

How to fix Windows 0xC0000221: STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH error?
Quick Summary
Error severity
Medium
Est. time
20 minutes
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What causes How to fix Windows 0xC0000221: STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH error?

  • Fatal error in a driver
  • Fatal error in a system file
  • Mismatch of system file header checksum
  • Mechanical damages in hardware
  • Infected page or file
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I tried performing several system recoveries but to no avail. Now I‘m stuck with the BSOD screen. Tried running Windows Automatic Repaid. It stops in the middle and shows the message saying that “0xC000022: STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH” error appeared. Any suggestions to regain access to my PC?

Windows 0xC0000221: STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH error might appear due to a fatal error in a driver or in a system file. Alternatively, the reason behind this phenomenon may lay in the mismatch of system file header checksum with the supposed checksum value. As a result, your computer crashes and you encounter BSOD (blue screen of death) screen. Moreover, mechanic damages in hardware might be at fault. You should not exclude the probability that the system crash was triggered by the infected page or file. There are a couple of solutions for this problem. Firstly, you may check your system for corrupted registry keys and repair them with [rev id=”RegCure Pro”].

Option 1. Choosing Emergency Repair Disk option

This method should work when no other options work – troubleshooting, Automatic Windows Repair, etc. How to create Emergency Repaid disk and use, check other resources. In this article, we will mainly focus on removing this error. Keep in mind that this feature does not replace regular backups. So when you regain full control of the computer, regularly back up your valuable documents.

Option 2. Checking for disk errors

Disk errors might be either caused by corrupted software or damaged hardware.

  1. Remove the hard disk from the current computer and insert them in another device.
  2. Navigate to Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
  3. Type Chkdsk /f /r. Reboot the system to start the scan process.

Option 3. Checking ROM compatibility

If the error occurred after the renewal of ROM, try placing it in another device. You might also run through these steps. They are applicable in Windows 2000.

  1. Set the default RAM settings.
  2. Launch Recovery Console to get to the partition where the paging file is.
  3. Delete pagefile.sys file.
  4. While Recovery Console is till open, run Chkdsk /r on the partition with the paging file.
  5. Reboot the system.
  6. Set the paging file to an optimal level depending on RAM added size.
  7. Turn off the system and add the new RAM.

Bottom line

To fix the Windows 0xC0000221 error, you can check for corrupted registry keys, create an Emergency Repair Disk, check for disk errors using Chkdsk, and verify ROM compatibility. If none of these solutions work, consider seeking professional help or reinstalling Windows.

Frequently asked questions

The 0xC0000221 error typically occurs due to corrupted system files, issues with the hardware, or problems with the boot configuration. It's often associated with bad drivers or missing critical system files.

To troubleshoot the 0xC0000221 error in Windows 11, you can run the Startup Repair tool from the Advanced Startup Options menu or use the Command Prompt to execute the 'sfc /scannow' command to repair system files.

Yes, you can fix the STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH error on Windows 10 by performing a System Restore, running the Check Disk utility, or using the Windows Recovery Environment to repair the system.

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Jake Doevan

Written & verified by

Senior Windows Technician
Windows repair tools SFC and DISM Startup failure recovery Windows Update errors System Restore

Jake Doevan is a senior Windows technician with deep practical knowledge of Windows' built-in repair and recovery tools. He has written extensively about SFC, DISM, CHKDSK, System Restore, and Windows Recovery Environment — the tools that can salvage a failing Windows installation without data loss. Jake's guides are precise and sequenced: each step is ordered to avoid compounding the original problem, and he explains what each command does so readers understand the process rather than following it blindly. His work is particularly valuable for users dealing with corruption, startup failures, and update-induced regressions.

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