Programs crashing with “DLL not found” or “.dll is missing” errors? Here’s how to fix missing DLL problems.

Common DLL Errors

• “MSVCP140.dll is missing”
• “VCRUNTIME140.dll not found”
• “api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll missing”
• “D3DX9_43.dll not found”
• “XINPUT1_3.dll is missing”
• “Program can’t start because [name].dll is missing”

Quick Fixes

Fix 1: Restart Computer

Sometimes DLLs aren’t loaded properly:

1. Save all work
2. Restart computer
3. Try the program again

Fix 2: Reinstall the Program

Most reliable fix:

1. Uninstall the program showing error
2. Restart computer
3. Reinstall from original source
4. Run as administrator first time

Fix 3: Check Recycle Bin

DLL may have been accidentally deleted:

1. Open Recycle Bin
2. Search for the DLL filename
3. Right-click > Restore
4. Try the program again

Install Visual C++ Redistributables

Most DLL errors come from missing Visual C++ files.

Install All Versions

Download from Microsoft:

1. Search “Visual C++ Redistributable download”
2. Go to Microsoft’s official page
3. Download ALL versions:
   • Visual C++ 2015-2022 (x64 and x86)
   • Visual C++ 2013 (x64 and x86)
   • Visual C++ 2012 (x64 and x86)
   • Visual C++ 2010 (x64 and x86)
4. Install each one
5. Restart computer

Common Redistributable DLLs

These DLLs need Visual C++:

• MSVCP140.dll
• VCRUNTIME140.dll
• MSVCP120.dll
• MSVCR120.dll
• MSVCP110.dll

System File Checker

Run SFC Scan

Repairs Windows system DLLs:

1. Right-click Start > Terminal (Admin)
2. Type: sfc /scannow
3. Press Enter
4. Wait for scan to complete (can take 10-15 minutes)
5. Restart computer

If SFC Finds Errors

If “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files”:

1. Run DISM first:

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

2. Wait for completion
3. Run SFC again:

   sfc /scannow

4. Restart

DirectX DLL Errors

For D3DX, XInput, X3DAudio DLLs

Games often need DirectX files:

1. Download DirectX End-User Runtime
2. Search “DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer”
3. Download from Microsoft
4. Run installer
5. Restart computer

Common DirectX DLLs

• D3DX9_43.dll
• D3DX10_43.dll
• D3DX11_43.dll
• XINPUT1_3.dll
• X3DAudio1_7.dll

.NET Framework DLLs

Install .NET Framework

For .NET related DLLs:

1. Settings > Apps > Optional features
2. Click “More Windows features”
3. Check all .NET Framework options
4. Click OK and restart

Download .NET Directly

1. Search “Download .NET Framework”
2. Download from Microsoft
3. Install .NET 4.8 and .NET 6/7/8
4. Restart computer

Register DLL Files

Re-register Existing DLL

If DLL exists but not registered:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Type:

   regsvr32 "C:\Windows\System32\filename.dll"

3. Replace filename.dll with actual name
4. Press Enter

Re-register All DLLs

For multiple issues:

1. Open Command Prompt as Admin
2. Run:

   for %1 in (%windir%\system32\*.dll) do regsvr32.exe /s %1

3. Wait for completion
4. Restart

Program-Specific Fixes

Steam Games

1. Right-click game in Steam
2. Properties > Local Files
3. Click “Verify integrity of game files”
4. Steam redownloads missing DLLs

Adobe Products

1. Use Adobe Creative Cloud
2. Repair installation
3. Or uninstall and reinstall

Microsoft Office

1. Settings > Apps > Microsoft 365
2. Click Modify
3. Select Online Repair
4. Wait for repair

Windows Update

Install Updates

Windows Update can restore system DLLs:

1. Settings > Windows Update
2. Check for updates
3. Install all available updates
4. Restart computer

Install Optional Updates

1. Windows Update > Advanced options
2. Optional updates
3. Install any driver updates
4. Restart

Copy DLL from Another PC

If You Have Same Windows Version

1. Find PC with same Windows version
2. Search for DLL in C:\Windows\System32
3. Copy to USB drive
4. Place in same location on your PC

Safe DLL Sources

Only get DLLs from:

• Official Microsoft downloads
• Original program installation
• Another computer with same Windows
• Never from random DLL download sites (malware risk)

Specific DLL Fixes

MSVCP140.dll / VCRUNTIME140.dll

1. Install Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable
2. Install both x64 and x86 versions
3. Restart computer

api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll

1. Install all Windows Updates
2. Install Visual C++ 2015-2022
3. Install Universal C Runtime update (KB2999226)

MSVCR100.dll / MSVCP100.dll

1. Install Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable
2. Both x64 and x86 versions

ntdll.dll Errors

System file issue:

1. Run SFC /scannow
2. Run DISM
3. May need Windows repair install

Advanced Fixes

Check DLL Path

Ensure DLL is in correct location:

1. Program folder
2. C:\Windows\System32 (64-bit)
3. C:\Windows\SysWOW64 (32-bit apps)

Set DLL Path Environment Variable

1. Search “Environment Variables”
2. Edit system environment variables
3. Find PATH
4. Add folder containing DLL

Repair Install Windows

Last resort for system DLLs:

1. Download Windows 11 ISO
2. Mount ISO
3. Run setup.exe
4. Choose “Keep files and apps”
5. Repairs all system DLLs

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Warning: DLL Download Sites

Never download DLLs from random websites. These are often:

• Malware disguised as DLLs
• Wrong versions causing more problems
• Outdated and incompatible

Always get DLLs from:

• Microsoft official downloads
• Original program installation
• Legitimate redistributable packages

Prevention

1. Keep Windows updated
2. Install all Visual C++ Redistributables
3. Don’t delete unknown files
4. Use reputable software sources

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