"DLL File Is Missing": Why Programs and Games Won't Start and Why You Shouldn't Download DLLs from Websites

You start a program or a game, and instead a window appears: "The program can't start because MSVCP140.dll is missing from your computer", "VCRUNTIME140_1.dll was not found", "Error in d3dx9_43.dll" or "The procedure entry point could not be located in the dynamic link library". The first thing a search engine offers is websites where you can "download DLLs for free". That's one of the most common — and most dangerous — mistakes people make. Let's look at what DLLs are, why they "go missing" and how to get programs working properly.

What DLLs are

DLLs are libraries — files of shared program code that many programs use at once. Instead of each program containing every function itself, it calls on ready-made libraries: Windows system libraries, Microsoft Visual C++ components, DirectX and .NET, as well as its own DLLs in the program folder. If the library it needs is missing, damaged or the wrong version, the program won't start.

The most common errors and where they come from

MSVCP140.dll, VCRUNTIME140.dll, MSVCR120.dll

These are components of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Many programs and games need a particular version of this package but don't always install it themselves. The fix is to install the official Visual C++ packages from Microsoft's website — and often both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions are needed.

d3dx9_43.dll, xinput1_3.dll, d3dcompiler_43.dll

Components of older DirectX versions that games from past years need. Modern Windows doesn't include them by default; they're installed with Microsoft's official DirectX runtime installer.

.NET errors

Many accounting, record-keeping and corporate programs need a specific version of the .NET Framework or .NET Runtime. Without it they won't start or show errors at launch.

A program's own DLLs

If the error names a file that clearly belongs to the program itself, the installation is most likely damaged — for example after a failed update, or because antivirus software deleted or quarantined the file.

"Entry point not found"

This error means the DLL is there but it's the wrong version: the program expects a function the file doesn't contain. It often happens after DLLs have been swapped by hand or when running a new program on an outdated version of Windows.

Why you shouldn't download DLLs from websites

• Malware. A DLL is executable code. A tampered library can contain a trojan, a cryptominer or a password stealer that runs every time your program does.
• The wrong version. The downloaded file may be the wrong version or bitness, causing new errors or instability.
• The wrong place. Files copied into system folders by hand can break other programs and even Windows itself.
• The cause isn't fixed. If one file from a package is missing, others probably are too — right after the first error, the next one appears.

When DLL errors are linked to pirated software

DLL errors very often appear with cracked games and programs. Cracks replace original libraries, and antivirus software removes them as malicious — after which the program won't start. In that situation, restoring the crack means voluntarily putting malicious code back into the system. The right fix is a legitimate copy of the program.

When the problem runs deeper

If DLL errors appear in many programs at once, including system ones, it's a sign of Windows damage, disk errors or the after-effects of malware. That calls for a check of the system's integrity and the drive, and sometimes for restoring or reinstalling Windows while keeping your data.

It also helps to keep the essential runtime packages up to date as a matter of routine. When we set up a new or reinstalled computer, we install the current Visual C++, .NET and DirectX components in advance, so most programs and games simply start the first time without any missing-file messages at all.

What our technician does

1. Identifies which package or program the missing library belongs to.
2. Installs the official Visual C++, DirectX and .NET packages in the right versions and bitness.
3. Repairs a damaged program installation and checks the antivirus quarantine.
4. Removes manually downloaded DLLs and checks the system for malware.
5. If errors are widespread, checks and repairs the system files and the drive.

A real example

An architecture student from Vake couldn't start his 3D modelling program just before a project deadline: an error said VCRUNTIME140_1.dll was missing. Before we arrived, he'd downloaded the file from a DLL site and copied it into a system folder — after which a game stopped working too. Our technician removed the tampered file (the antivirus identified it as a trojan), installed the official Visual C++ packages in both bitnesses, checked the system and changed his email and Steam passwords. The program and the game both worked, and the project was handed in on time.

Call a technician

If programs or games won't start because of DLL errors, we'll come to any district of Tbilisi around the clock. Learn more on our software installation, virus removal and computer setup pages.