Runtime errors are not an uncommon problem with Microsoft Windows-based systems. One of the ones seen most is runtime error 429. This error occurs most often when you are trying to automate some of the functions of Microsoft Office applications. The trigger is usually the CreateObject function or the New statement in Visual Basic if you are trying to create an instance of the Office application. The error message usually reads, “Active X component can’t create object.”

What Causes Runtime Error 429?

Application bugs or mis-configured applications on automation servers can often cause this error. The first thing to do when you get this error is verify that the application is installed on your hard drive, not just on the network. You can test this by clicking Start on your computer, selecting Run and then typing the name of the application, for instance MS Word, in the command line and then clicking ok.

The application will open if it is present on the hard drive, but not if it is only available through the network. It can not be made to work through automation if not on the hard drive. You may be able to fix the problem by re-registering the application on your system registry. You must know the proper File Path to do this, however.

How to Fix Runtime Error 429

Another possible fix would be to verify the registry value in the system. You can Run the registry editor with the command “regedit” in the command field of the Run dialog. You can verify that the system is using the proper Windows registry key to refer to the application by copying and pasting that value into the command field of the Run dialog. If the registry value is correct, the application will load and run. Otherwise, there is a problem with the File Path that is causing runtime error 429.

If Excel.xlb or Normal.dot templates become corrupted in the Excel application, this may cause failure of automated processing and create a runtime error 429. Renaming these files may fix the problem if they are corrupt. They can be recreated by the applications that use them without the corrupted parts, later. If renaming them does not help, you can give them back their original names, because they are not the problem.

Trying to automate tasks in Microsoft Office applications causes the vast majority of runtime error 429 occurrences. You can normally fix PC errors by fixing the Windows registry or by completely re-registering the application that is responsible for the errors. Certain files can become corrupt and generate this error as well, so checking them is normally helpful also.

These are the steps to troubleshooting runtime error 429. Many instances of this error can be completely avoided by making it a routine to periodically run a system registry cleaning utility on your computer. This will eliminate most instances of bad registry entries and fix corrupt files before they become a problem that generates a runtime error. Coupled with a complete internet security suite of programs, this can make sure your computer runs at peak performance all the time.