Complete Guide to Fix DLL Errors on Windows 10 & Windows 11

When installing a new program or launching a new app on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 machine, you may encounter the “DLL is missing” or “DLL Not Found error”. The missing DLL problem is very common among the users and every Windows user would have encountered DLL-related issues on their PC. In this article, I am going to explain all the possible ways to fix DLL-related issues. So, do not skip this article if you really want to know how to resolve the missing DLL problems.

Table of Contents

  1. What is DLL File?
  2. Why this is so important to have in the PC?
  3. Is DLL file Safe or it’s a virus?
  4. What is DLL Not Found, or DLL is missing Error?
  5. Automatic DLL Fix Program
  6. How to Download, Install and Register a DLL File?
  7. How to Repair Visual C++ Redistributable Package?
  8. How to Install latest Windows Updates.
  9. How to Download and Update Drivers?
  10. Removes Virus and Trojan
  11. Restore Registry File
  12. Run System File Checker Tool
  13. Run System Update Readiness Tool
  14. Run DISM Tool
  15. Re-Install the affected Application
  16. Start PC in Clean Boot Mode
  17. System Restore
  18. Repair Windows Installation

Let’s start the session on How to Fix any dll related issue. Before diving deep, you must know a little about the DLL file so that you won’t make any mistakes while restoring this file.

What is DLL File?

The technical name of this file is Dynamic Link Library and it is a small component of any application that provides specific functionality. A DLL file is a precompiled component that contains functions, classes, variables, and resources (icons, images, files, etc). For example, if your app is providing you various features but unfortunately any DLL file gets damaged then the program will stop providing the functionality which is related to the damaged DLL file and when you try to open the function, you will get more likely DLL’s not found error.

Why this is so important to have in the PC?

DLLs provide code reusability, efficient memory usage, reduced disk space, multiple processes that load the same DLL at the same time, etc. It is a special component of the Windows-based operating system, so, it is very important to have this file type in Windows-based PC.

Is the DLL file Safe or it’s a virus?

Generally, when you install authentic apps on your PC; the DLLs files stored by that apps are safe. When you download the DLL file from a third-party website, there might be a high risk of downloading a virus in the form of DLL files. A DLL file contains executable code inside it so, it is highly risky of running malicious code inside a DLL file. It is recommended not to download a DLLs file from a third-party website.

What is DLL Not Found, or DLL is missing Error?

As mentioned above, DLL is a dependency file for most of the Apps running on Windows 8, 10 & 11. If your app looking for a specified DLL file, and the correct library is not installed in the target computer, the app will start showing the message DLL is not found or DLL is missing. If the specified DLL file gets deleted, damaged, or corrupted by the other application like virus/malware/trojan, you may also get the same error.

How to Fix DLL Not Found Error on Windows 10 & 11?

Method 1: Fix DLL issues using Advanced System Repair Tool

If you are not tech-savvy and want to fix dll-related issues as well as other system problems with ease, you can just download the Advanced System Repair Tool to optimize and fix problems from your PC. It takes care of your PC and does the necessary optimization like updating system drivers, software, windows updates, fixing missing file errors, improving security, and fixing registry problems.

Windows is made with huge number of dll files, exe files, sys files, various types of services, databases, etc so, it is not possible to keep monitoring all the files always. A brilliant PC Optimizer tool repairs damages, fix errors, update windows and drivers, and eliminate various types of errors silently.

Outbyte PC Repair Tool does all the above task easily and provides you an errorfree and smooth Windows environment to work so that you can focus on your business only.

3 Steps to Fix this Error
Step 1. Download Outbyte PC Repair Tool [File Size: 16.4 MB]
Step 2. SCAN your Windows PC
Step 3. Click Fix button to Repair Error

Method 2: Download, Install and Register a DLL File

If you want to fix dll-related issues yourself, you can download the dll file, install it on your PC and then register it properly to work. However, it is highly recommended not to download a DLL file from any third-party site or malicious site because you may download a virus in the form of a DLL file. This is an even worst condition than a simple missing DLL file. The best way to arrange a this file is to ask your friend to give you the same file from the specified location. If you cannot find the this file then do the following steps to Download, Install and Register your dll file.

Step 1: Go to the following site and search for your DLL file to download.

https://www.dll-files.com/

Step 2: Extract the file in the following location.

For 32 Bit:
C:\Windows\System32
For 64 Bit:
C:\Windows\SysWOW64

Registering the DLL File
Step 3: Go to the location where you saved the downloaded file and do Shift + Right-click on the blank area. Select Open PowerShell window here.

powershell

Step 4: Execute the following commands to register dll file.

regsvr32 xxx.dll
register_dll

Step 5: Reboot your PC to apply effect.

Method 3: Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package?

Repairing a Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package is necessary if you are getting dll not found error and other errors like AcroRd32.exe is missing, Bluestack App crash, mxdwdrv.dll not found etc. If the necessary MSVC++ Runtime Library is not installed, you may also get several kinds of errors. You must check the below article to Install or Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library on Windows 10 & 11.
Repair & Re-Install MS Visual C++ Redistributable Package Windows 10 & 11

Method 4: Install Latest Windows Updates

Outdated Windows Updates are also a major reason behind missing file errors. When you update your windows operating system, it installs the necessary files that are required to run modern applications and games. So, if you have outdated windows updates, make them quickly updated and fix dll related issues.

Step 1: Click on Start menu > Settings > Update & Security.
Step 2: Click on check for updates, and then install all the pending updates.

update_security_2

Method 5: Update third-party driver

After completing the Windows Updates, it is necessary to install updates for all the third-party drivers on your system. These third-party drivers are those which are installed with games or other third-party apps and hardware. You must check for outdated drivers software and update them.

Step 1: Go to the Device Manager and see if there is any exclamation mark on the drivers. To go to the Device Manager, Right-click on Start Menu and click on Device Manager.

open_device_manager

Step 2: Do right-click on outdated driver and select Update driver.

update_disk_driver

Step 3: Click on “Search automatically for drivers” and windows will find the updated drivers for your devices. If it was unable to install latest driver for your devices, then do the next step.

search-automatically-for-updated-driver-software

Step 4: Go the official site for your devices and download driver software manually. If you don’t know the official site, just google it and you will get the right website for your driver.

Method 6: Removes Virus/Trojan/Malware

When did you last scan your PC against Virus/Trojan/Malware? Viruses can come inside your PC in no time without letting you know, and your PC will be affected by some serious trojans/malware/rootkits. So, it is necessary to run a full system scan to remove all these malicious programs from your PC using the trusted antivirus program. Upon completion of scanning, start a Boot Sector Scanning through Windows Defender Program or your antivirus program.

Method 7: Restore or Repair Registry File

Windows uses registry file for storing configuration values for all the installed hardware, software, and drivers. Nothing can be run or attached with PC without making attendance in Registry File. This file is so important that, if it gets damaged or corrupted, your system will be down in no time. That’s why it is recommended to always keep a backup of the registry file on the external location so, in the situation of system failure, one can restore it. If you have a backup of the registry file, then follow the below guidelines to registry file.

Step 1: Open Registry File. Press Windows Key + R to open Run Dialog Box. Type regedit and click on OK.

type_regedit

Step 2: It will open User Account Control and ask for administrative permission. Click on Yes. After clicking on Yes, it will open Registry Editor.
Step 3: Click on File > Import. Browse your registry backup file and click to open. You will see the following message.

reg_backup_1

The Keys and Values contained in “C:\users\username\reg_backup.reg” have been successfully added to the registry.

reg_backup_2

Step 4: Reboot your PC to apply effect of newly restored registry file.

Method 8: Run Windows System File Checker (SFC) Tool

The Windows System File checker tool is inbuilt with all modern windows operating system like Windows 8/10/11 & Windows Server. The main objective of this tool is to find the corrupted or damaged system files and repair them. If somehow, System File checker tool is unable to repair the system file, the Clean Windows Installation might be next solution. The best part of this tool is that it can be simply used with command prompt as well as Windows Recovery Media.

Step 1: Open Admin command Prompt. Click on Start Menu and search for CMD. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

Step 2: Type following command and press Enter to execute.

sfc /scannow

Step 3: Wait until it completes the process. It may take several minutes depending on the number of corrupted files.

Method 9: Run System Update Readiness Tool

The System Update Readiness Tool is the great way to find and fix Windows OS Errors. System Update Readiness Tool scans your PC, verify integrity of each resources, and store each details into a log file including errors and fixes. So, if you are unsure about the problem areas, just run this tool as described below and fix the problems if it founds any. Unfortunately, it is not available for Windows 10 & 11. You can use System File Checker Tool in Windows 10 & 11 to fix file corruption issues. If you are running Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista then you can download and use this tool as follows:

Step 1: Go to the following site to download System Update Readiness Tool.

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=947821

Step 2: Run this tool and let the process complete.
Step 3: Check the log file for the errors.

%SYSTEMROOT%\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log
%SYSTEMROOT%\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.persist.log

The %SYSTEMROOT% folder points to Windows Installation Directory and it is C:\Windows

Step 4: For example, if your log file shows you the following details:
Summary

Seconds executed: 264
Found 3 errors
CBS MUM Missing Total Count: 3
Unavailable repair files:

servicing\packages\Package_for_KB958690_sc_0~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.0.1.6.mum

It means the package KB958690 is corrupted.

Step 5: Download this file from the Microsoft catalog website and install them in your PC.

Method 10: Run DISM Tool

The DISM is a command line utility, and it is used for repairing corrupted system images including Windows Recovery, Windows Setup, or WinPE. Full name of this utility is Deploy Image Servicing and Management, and it can also be used for fixing a running Windows 10/11 corruption.

How to use DISM command?

The following dism commands are commonly used for repair corrupted Windows files.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

This command check for your Windows Image health. You can run it as mentioned above.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Step 2: Run the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

dism_checkhealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

This option starts deeper searches for corrupted windows files and components.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Step 2: Run the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

dism_scanhealth

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This is one of the most useful commands in DISM. The RestoreHealth option scans for common corruption and fix them.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

[image]

Step 2: Run the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

dism_restorehealth

Method 11: Re-install the affected application

Sometimes, Re-installing apps may help to recover from a dll error. Due to various reasons, sometimes components of some applications get damaged, corrupted, or replaced by several malicious program and cause a dll error. What you need to do is just remove the apps completely from Windows 10 & Windows 11 machine and then download the latest version of your apps from the official site and install it. This process will re-register the apps once again and your PC will be set free from the further dll error.

Method 12: Start PC in Clean Boot Mode

Clean boot mode helps you to diagnosis the problem in the clean windows environment. When you start your PC in clean boot mode, it cuts-off all the third-party applications, drivers and services and allows your PC to start with only necessary and minimal drivers and services. The benefit of starting your PC in clean boot mode is, it removes the other third-party software conflicts, crashed or other issue so you can easily diagnose the problematic area and fix them. Read this article to know how to start Windows 10 & 11 in clean boot mode.

Clean Boot Startup to Windows 7/8/10 – Step by Step

Method 13: System Restore

System Restore is a technique of reverting back your PC to the stage when it was running good before appearing the dll not found error. This method has been used by computer users for long time to fix or avoid deep PC problems. If you have created System Restore Point earlier, then you are on the safe side and can easily Reset Windows PC without losing your data and files and apps.

Step 1: Go to Start Menu and Search for System Restore and click on the “Create a restore point” option to open it.

system_restore_1

Step 2: Click on System Restore button. It will open Restore system files and settings wizard. Click on the Next button.

system_restore_2

system_restore_3

Step 3: Select Recent restore point and click on Next button.

system_restore_4

Step 4: It will ask your confirmation to start restoring your PC. If you agree to restore your PC, then click on the Finish button to start Restoring process.

system_restore_5

Method 14: Repair Windows 10 & 11 Installation using USB

It is the last option to fix dll not found error and all the other errors from your Windows machine without losing your data, files, and apps. In this method, you repair windows installation using the bootable windows 10 or Windows 11 usb stick. To perform this issue, you need to have the bootable windows usb stick. If you don’t have one, see how to Create Bootable Pen Drive using Media Creation Tool – Windows 10 & 11.

Step 2: Restart the PC with boot from the USB option. Sometimes you need to enter in BIOS to change settings from “boot from hard drive” to “boot from usb”. Press F2 or F12 button continuously when you see the manufacturer logo at the starting of booting your PC. As Windows Installation windows appear click on the Next button.

repair-windows-from-usb-1

Step 3: On the next page click on the “Repair your computer” option.

repair-windows-from-usb-2

Step 4: Select “Troubleshoot”. It will open Advanced Option windows.

repair-windows-from-usb-3

Step 5: Select “Startup Repair”. It will start scanning your PC and fix the corrupted, damaged, or missing system file issue. So, if you are unable to start your PC because of “dll not found issue” or “dll is missing” problem, then this option will fix the problem and will allows you to login back your PC.

repair-windows-from-usb-4
repair-windows-from-usb-5

Summary:

DLL is very important file for Windows OS and if this file gets damaged, corrupted, missing or replaced by other apps you will start getting “dll not found error”. In this article, I explained 14 useful methods to fix “dll is missing” error on Windows 10 & 11.