Fix Common DLL Errors on Windows (2026 Guide)

Most Windows users don’t come across the term DLL until something goes wrong. If you’re facing error messages like “DLL file is missing,” “DLL not found,” or “The code execution cannot proceed because [filename].dll was not found,” there’s a good chance that you’ve run into a DLL-related issue.

Dynamic Link Library, or more commonly DLL, contains shared code and resources that Windows and installed applications rely on. When these files are deleted, corrupted, or become inaccessible, Windows displays a DLL error. This guide will cover the most common DLL errors in detail and walk you through the most effective ways to fix them.

What Causes DLL Errors?

Windows uses thousands of DLL files that allow the operating system and installed apps share code, functions, and resources. Because a single DLL can be referenced by multiple programs, it eliminates the need to duplicate the same code in every application. DLL errors occur mostly due to:

• Missing runtime libraries like MSVCP140.dll and VCRUNTIME140.dll. These files are installed as part of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistribution package.
• Corrupted or deleted DLL files. This can occur due to unexpected shutdowns, disk errors, malware infections, or accidental deletion.
• Incorrect software installation or update. Common after reinstalling apps or upgrading to a newer version, it can leave behind missing or incompatible DLL files.
• Installing the wrong version of a runtime package or trying to run a 32-bit app with incompatible DLL files can trigger errors.
• Corrupted Windows system files due to failed OS updates, storage drive corruption, or abrupt shutdowns.
• Interference caused by malware or security software.
• Invalid registry entries or broken file references can prevent DLLs from loading properly.

List of DLL Errors That Put Your Data at Risk

How to Fix MSVCP140.dll and VCRUNTIME140.dll Errors?

MSVCP140.dll and VCRUNTIME140.dll are part of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistribution, which is a runtime package that many desktop apps, games, and creative software depend on. When the redistributable is missing, corrupted, or outdated, the affected program will not launch and display error messages like:

• MSVCP140.dll was not found
• VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing
• The code execution cannot proceed because MSVCP140.dll/VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found

1. Repair or Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistribution Package

The safest way is to install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable from Microsoft’s official website. This package includes both MSVCP140.dll and VCRUNTIME140.dll along with other important runtime libraries. But first check whether your PC is running 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) version of Windows:

• Press Win + X and open Settings.
• Go to System > About.
• Check the System type under Device specifications.

Now that you’ve confirmed your Windows version, move on to repairing the Visual C++ Redistribution package.

• Press Win + R to launch the Run dialog box.
• Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.

• Locate your Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, right-click and select Change.

• Click Repair and wait for the process to complete.

• Restart your PC to apply changes.

If the problem still persists, Uninstall the existing Visual C++ Redistribution package (using the above method) and re-download the compatible redistribution package from Microsoft’s official downloads page. If you’re using a 64-bit version of Windows, Microsoft recommends installing both x64 and x86 redistribution packages because many 32-bit apps still rely on the x86 runtime.

2. Reinstall the Problematic Program

If there’s a certain program that’s showing the MSVCP140.dll or VCRUNTIME140 error, a simple fix is to uninstall and then reinstall that particular application. The fresh install will replace program’s files which also include DLLs and registry entries.

• Press Win + R to open Run.
• Type in appwiz.cpl and press Enter.

• Select the app you want to uninstall, right-click and hit Uninstall.

• Reinstall the program from a trusted source.
• Reboot your PC.

3. Update Windows to the Latest Version

If the above solutions fail to fix the errors, update Windows to the latest version. This step is crucial for your system’s security and stability. Also, a Windows update might ship a fix for the bugs causing the MSVCP140.dll and VCRUNTIME140.dll errors on your PC.

• Press Win + X and open Settings.
• Go to Windows Update.
• Click Check for updates.

• Windows will automatically look for the latest updates and download them on your system.
• Restart your PC to apply changes.

3. Run the System File Checker (SFC)

In case the DLL error is caused by corrupted Windows system file rather than a missing runtime package, Windows built-in utility System File Checker can help restore the original files. Since corrupted system files can trigger the DLL errors, run DISM first to repair the Windows component store, then run SFC to scan system files and replace the damaged ones. Order matters here: SFC pulls its replacement files from the component store that DISM repairs.

• Open Command Prompt as administrator.
• Execute the following command: 

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

• If that flags a problem, run the following commands, one after another:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Then execute the following command:

sfc /scannow

• Wait for the scan to finish.

How to Fix D3dx9_43.dll and Xinput1_3.dll Errors?

D3dx9_43.dll and Xinput1_3.dll are DirectX runtime files which help accelerate the hardware on Windows for a smoother gaming experience. When these DirectX files go missing or corrupted, Windows shows error messages like:

• D3dx9_43.dll is missing
• The program can't start because D3dx9_43.dll is missing from your computer
• Xinput1_3.dll was not found
• The code execution cannot proceed because Xinput1_3.dll was not found

1. Install the DirectX End-User Runtime

Modern versions of Windows include newer DirectX components but they may be missing the optional legacy libraries required by older games. Install the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer package from Microsoft’s official website to restore these missing DLLs.

• Go to the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer page on Microsoft’s website.
• Select your preferred language and then hit Download.
• Run the dxwebsetup.exe file and follow the instructions to complete the process.

• Restart your PC to apply changes.

2. Update Your Graphic Drivers

Check if your device drivers are up to date as outdated graphic drivers can also be responsible for DirectX related errors or prevent games from loading required runtime components correctly. You can update the drivers with the following steps:

• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager. 
• Expand the Display adapters and right-click on the graphic driver.
• Choose Update driver.

• Select Search automatically for drivers on the following prompt.

• Windows will look for the latest compatible driver for your device. If any driver version is available, download it and reboot your system.

How to Fix Ole32.dll Errors?

Ole32.dll is a core Windows system library that supports Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) and Component Object Model (COM) functionality. If this file becomes corrupted or inaccessible, applications may fail to launch, Windows features may stop responding, or you'll see error messages like:

• Ole32.dll not found
• The code execution cannot proceed because Ole32.dll was not found.

Since Ole32.dll is a protected Windows system file, the recommended fixes typically involve running SFC, DISM, installing pending Windows updates, or repairing the affected application rather than downloading the DLL manually. Learn how to fix Ole32.dll Missing or Not Found Error.

How to Fix Comdlg32.dll Errors?

Comdlg32.dll is another essential Windows system DLL responsible for common dialog boxes, including the Open, Save, and Print windows used by many applications. Errors involving this file often occur because of corrupted system files, faulty Windows updates, damaged registry entries, or incompatible software.

General system repair tools, such as SFC, DISM, and Windows Update resolve many Comdlg32.dll issues. If the problem persists, follow Fix Comdlg32.dll not Found Error in Windows for detailed solutions.

How to Fix Ntdll.dll Errors?

Ntdll.dll is an important Windows system library that manages low-level OS functions like memory management and system calls. The Ntdll.dll error is usually caused due to corrupted system files, outdated drivers, faulty windows updates, or third-party software conflicts. Common error messages read:

• File Explorer has stopped working
• Faulting module name: Ntdll.dll
• Explorer.exe crashed because of Ntdll.dll

General troubleshooting steps involve installing Windows update, updating device drivers, and performing a clean boot to identify software conflicts. If the crashes started after a recent update or software installation, roll back the update or uninstall the conflicting application. Read our detailed guide File Explorer Keeps Crashing with Ntdll.dll error for step-by-step instructions and advanced solutions.

Recover Data Lost After Fixing a DLL Error

Usually, fixing a DLL error doesn’t affect your personal files. But data loss can occur if the error was caused by underlying issues like malware, file system corruption, a failing storage drive, or if you had to reinstall Windows on an application to fix the problem. You may also accidentally delete important files while troubleshooting.

So if you notice that files are missing, stop using the affected drive immediately as saving new data can overwrite deleted files. Use a professional data recovery software – Stellar Data Recovery Professional to reclaim your lost files. The software supports recovery from accidentally deleted, formatted, or corrupted drives and lets you preview recoverable files before restoring them.

Bottom Line

DLL errors can range from a simple missing runtime library to deeper problems involving corrupted system files, faulty software installations, or malware. The trick to resolving them is identifying, which DLL is causing the error and applying the appropriate fix instead of downloading individual DLL files from untrusted sources.

If you lose important files while troubleshooting or after reinstalling Windows or an application, stop using the affected drive and recover your data as soon as possible. A professional recovery solution, such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional can help restore deleted or lost files from HDDs, SSDs, USB drives, and other storage devices before they're overwritten.