How to fix the Runtime Code 397 Can't load, unload, or set Visible property for top level menus while they are merged

Symptoms of Code 397 - Can't load, unload, or set Visible property for top level menus while they are merged

Runtime errors happen without warning. The error message can come up the screen anytime Windows is run. In fact, the error message or some other dialogue box can come up again and again if not addressed early on.

There may be instances of files deletion or new files appearing. Though this symptom is largely due to virus infection, it can be attributed as a symptom for runtime error, as virus infection is one of the causes for runtime error. User may also experience a sudden drop in internet connection speed, yet again, this is not always the case.

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Causes of Can't load, unload, or set Visible property for top level menus while they are merged - Code 397

During software design, programmers code anticipating the occurrence of errors. However, there are no perfect designs, as errors can be expected even with the best program design. Glitches can happen during runtime if a certain error is not experienced and addressed during design and testing.

Runtime errors are generally caused by incompatible programs running at the same time. It may also occur because of memory problem, a bad graphics driver or virus infection. Whatever the case may be, the problem must be resolved immediately to avoid further problems. Here are ways to remedy the error.

Repair Methods

Runtime errors may be annoying and persistent, but it is not totally hopeless, repairs are available. Here are ways to do it.

If a repair method works for you, please click the upvote button to the left of the answer, this will let other users know which repair method is currently working the best.

Please note: Neither ErrorVault.com nor it's writers claim responsibility for the results of the actions taken from employing any of the repair methods listed on this page - you complete these steps at your own risk.

Method 1 - Close Conflicting Programs

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When you get a runtime error, keep in mind that it is happening due to programs that are conflicting with each other. The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to stop these conflicting programs.

• Open Task Manager by clicking Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time. This will let you see the list of programs currently running.
• Go to the Processes tab and stop the programs one by one by highlighting each program and clicking the End Process buttom.
• You will need to observe if the error message will reoccur each time you stop a process.
• Once you get to identify which program is causing the error, you may go ahead with the next troubleshooting step, reinstalling the application.

Method 2 - Update / Reinstall Conflicting Programs

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Using Control Panel

• For Windows 7, click the Start Button, then click Control panel, then Uninstall a program
• For Windows 8, click the Start Button, then scroll down and click More Settings, then click Control panel > Uninstall a program.
• For Windows 10, just type Control Panel on the search box and click the result, then click Uninstall a program
• Once inside Programs and Features, click the problem program and click Update or Uninstall.
• If you chose to update, then you will just need to follow the prompt to complete the process, however if you chose to Uninstall, you will follow the prompt to uninstall and then re-download or use the application's installation disk to reinstall the program.

Using Other Methods

• For Windows 7, you may find the list of all installed programs when you click Start and scroll your mouse over the list that appear on the tab. You may see on that list utility for uninstalling the program. You may go ahead and uninstall using utilities available in this tab.
• For Windows 10, you may click Start, then Settings, then choose Apps.
• Scroll down to see the list of Apps and features installed in your computer.
• Click the Program which is causing the runtime error, then you may choose to uninstall or click Advanced options to reset the application.

Method 3 - Update your Virus protection program or download and install the latest Windows Update

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Virus infection causing runtime error on your computer must immediately be prevented, quarantined or deleted. Make sure you update your virus program and run a thorough scan of the computer or, run Windows update so you can get the latest virus definition and fix.

Method 4 - Re-install Runtime Libraries

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You might be getting the error because of an update, like the MS Visual C++ package which might not be installed properly or completely. What you can do then is to uninstall the current package and install a fresh copy.

• Uninstall the package by going to Programs and Features, find and highlight the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.
• Click Uninstall on top of the list, and when it is done, reboot your computer.
• Download the latest redistributable package from Microsoft then install it.

Method 5 - Run Disk Cleanup

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You might also be experiencing runtime error because of a very low free space on your computer.

• You should consider backing up your files and freeing up space on your hard drive
• You can also clear your cache and reboot your computer
• You can also run Disk Cleanup, open your explorer window and right click your main directory (this is usually C: )
• Click Properties and then click Disk Cleanup

Method 6 - Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

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If the error is related to a bad graphics driver, then you may do the following:

• Open your Device Manager, locate the graphics driver
• Right click the video card driver then click uninstall, then restart your computer

Method 7 - IE related Runtime Error

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If the error you are getting is related to the Internet Explorer, you may do the following:

1. Reset your browser.
• For Windows 7, you may click Start, go to Control Panel, then click Internet Options on the left side. Then you can click Advanced tab then click the Reset button.
• For Windows 8 and 10, you may click search and type Internet Options, then go to Advanced tab and click Reset.
2. Disable script debugging and error notifications.
• On the same Internet Options window, you may go to Advanced tab and look for Disable script debugging
• Put a check mark on the radio button
• At the same time, uncheck the "Display a Notification about every Script Error" item and then click Apply and OK, then reboot your computer.

If these quick fixes do not work, you can always backup files and run repair reinstall on your computer. However, you can do that later when the solutions listed here did not do the job.

Other languages:

Wie beheben Fehler 397 (Die Eigenschaft Sichtbar für Menüs der obersten Ebene kann nicht geladen, entladen oder festgelegt werden, während sie zusammengeführt werden) - Die Visible-Eigenschaft kann nicht für ein Menü der obersten Ebene festgelegt werden, während das Menü einer ActiveX-Komponente mit dem Menü eines Containerformulars zusammengeführt wird.
Come fissare Errore 397 (Impossibile caricare, scaricare o impostare la proprietà Visible per i menu di primo livello mentre sono uniti) - La proprietà Visible non può essere impostata per un menu di primo livello mentre il menu di un componente ActiveX è unito al menu di un modulo contenitore.
Hoe maak je Fout 397 (Kan de eigenschap Zichtbaar niet laden, verwijderen of instellen voor menu's op het hoogste niveau terwijl ze zijn samengevoegd) - De eigenschap Visible kan niet worden ingesteld voor een menu op het hoogste niveau terwijl het menu van een ActiveX-component is samengevoegd met het menu van een containerformulier.
Comment réparer Erreur 397 (Impossible de charger, décharger ou définir la propriété Visible pour les menus de niveau supérieur lorsqu'ils sont fusionnés) - La propriété Visible ne peut pas être définie pour un menu de niveau supérieur alors qu'un menu de composant ActiveX est fusionné avec le menu d'un formulaire conteneur.
어떻게 고치는 지 오류 397 (병합되는 동안 최상위 메뉴에 대한 Visible 속성을 로드, 언로드 또는 설정할 수 없습니다.) - ActiveX 구성 요소의 메뉴가 컨테이너 양식의 메뉴와 병합되는 동안에는 최상위 메뉴에 대해 Visible 속성을 설정할 수 없습니다.
Como corrigir o Erro 397 (Não é possível carregar, descarregar ou definir a propriedade Visible para menus de nível superior enquanto eles estão mesclados) - A propriedade Visible não pode ser definida para um menu de nível superior enquanto o menu de um componente ActiveX é mesclado com o menu de um formulário de contêiner.
Hur man åtgärdar Fel 397 (Det går inte att ladda, ta bort eller ställa in Synlig egenskap för menyer på toppnivå medan de slås samman) - Egenskapen Synlig kan inte ställas in för en översta meny medan en ActiveX-komponents meny slås samman med en behållarformulärs meny.
Как исправить Ошибка 397 (Невозможно загрузить, выгрузить или установить свойство Visible для меню верхнего уровня, пока они объединены) - Свойство Visible нельзя установить для меню верхнего уровня, пока меню компонента ActiveX объединено с меню формы контейнера.
Jak naprawić Błąd 397 (Nie można wczytać, zwolnić ani ustawić właściwości Widoczne dla menu najwyższego poziomu, gdy są one scalone) - Właściwość Visible nie może być ustawiona dla menu najwyższego poziomu, gdy menu składnika ActiveX jest scalone z menu formularza kontenera.
Cómo arreglar Error 397 (No se puede cargar, descargar o establecer la propiedad visible para los menús de nivel superior mientras están fusionados) - La propiedad Visible no se puede establecer para un menú de nivel superior mientras el menú de un componente ActiveX está combinado con el menú de un formulario contenedor.

About The Author: Phil Hart has been a Microsoft Community Contributor since 2010. With a current point score over 100,000, they've contributed more than 3000 answers in the Microsoft Support forums and have created almost 200 new help articles in the Technet Wiki.

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