How to Fix 0x80070006 (Windows Applications)
Quick Answer
Error 0x80070006, "The handle is invalid," typically indicates that a program or system process is attempting to use a resource that is no longer available or was never properly initialized. Often, restarting the affected application or the system can resolve this issue by re-establishing valid handles.
What Causes This Error
- Corrupted system files or application data.
- Outdated or incompatible device drivers.
- Issues with Windows Update components.
- Problems with temporary files or cache.
- Conflicting third-party software or security applications.
- Hardware malfunctions or insufficient system resources.
Step-by-Step Fixes
1Restart the Application or System
- Close the application that generated the 0x80070006 error.
- If the error persists upon reopening, save any open work and close all applications.
- Click the Start button, then select the Power icon.
- Choose "Restart" from the options.
- After the system restarts, attempt to use the application again.
2Run the System File Checker (SFC)
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type "cmd" and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt window, type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter.
- Allow the scan to complete. This process may take several minutes.
- Review the scan results. If corrupted files were found and repaired, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
3Clear Temporary Files and Cache
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type "%temp%" and press Enter to open the temporary files folder.
- Select all files and folders within this directory (Ctrl + A).
- Press the Delete key. Skip any files that are currently in use.
- Empty the Recycle Bin after deleting the temporary files.
4Update Device Drivers
- Press the Windows key + X and select "Device Manager" from the menu.
- Expand categories such as "Display adapters," "Sound, video and game controllers," and "Network adapters."
- Right-click on each device and select "Update driver."
- Choose "Search automatically for drivers" and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Repeat this process for all critical device drivers. Restart your computer if prompted.
Advanced Fixes
Perform a Clean Boot
- Press the Windows key + R, type "msconfig," and press Enter.
- Go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and then click "Disable all."
- Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager."
- In Task Manager, disable each startup item individually by right-clicking and selecting "Disable."
- Close Task Manager, click "OK" in the System Configuration window, and restart your computer. Test for the error. If the error is gone, re-enable services and startup items one by one to identify the conflict.
Run the DISM Tool
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type "cmd" and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
- Type "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" and press Enter.
- Allow the process to complete. This may take some time, and the progress bar might appear to stall.
- After the operation is finished, restart your computer and then run the SFC scan again as described in a previous fix.
Check for Windows Updates
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Click on "Update & Security" (or "Windows Update" on Windows 11).
- Click "Check for updates."
- Download and install any available updates.
- Restart your computer after the updates are installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'The handle is invalid' mean?
The error message 'The handle is invalid' means that a program or the operating system attempted to access a resource (like a file, memory block, or device) using an identifier (a 'handle') that is no longer valid or was never properly assigned. This can occur if the resource was closed prematurely, corrupted, or if there's a programming error.
Is error 0x80070006 always critical?
Error 0x80070006 is not always critical. It can sometimes be a temporary glitch resolved by restarting an application or the system. However, if it occurs frequently or prevents essential functions, it indicates a more persistent underlying issue that requires troubleshooting.
Can antivirus software cause 0x80070006?
Yes, in some cases, overly aggressive antivirus or security software can interfere with legitimate system processes or application operations, leading to an invalid handle error. Temporarily disabling the antivirus (if safe to do so) or adding an exception for the affected application can help determine if it's the cause.
Will reinstalling the application fix 0x80070006?
Reinstalling the application can resolve error 0x80070006 if the problem stems from corrupted application files or an improper installation. Ensure you completely uninstall the application and delete any leftover data before performing a fresh installation.