Seeing a DLL error on your Windows PC? These common errors are frustrating to troubleshoot because you often have to go through several steps to find the problem.
Let's review some of the most common DLL errors and go through the process of troubleshooting these irritating issues.
What Is a DLL?
It helps to understand what your error message means before you begin troubleshooting it. DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library. Essentially, these files are a core part of Windows and allow programs to perform a variety of functions without writing them from scratch every time.
For instance, a program might access a DLL when it wants to display a message on the screen. It uses the appropriate DLL to create this box instead of the developers having to make a new one. This results in more efficiency for programmers and standardization across Windows.
But when something goes wrong, that DLL file can go missing. And because many programs can share one DLL on your PC (even at the same time), often a DLL error doesn't indicate a problem with just one app. This is part of what makes troubleshooting a pain.
Common DLL Errors
As you might imagine, some DLLs pop up in error messages more frequently than others. Here are some of the DLLs most known for causing issues.
MSVCP140, MSVCP120, MSVCP110, and MSVCP100
All four of these are different versions (14.0, 10.0, etc.) of the same DLL. MSVC stands for Microsoft Visual C++, an extremely common format for Windows applications.
Chances are that if you open your installed programs list, you'll see multiple entries labeled Microsoft Visual C++ 20xx Redistributable. Whenever you install a program that needs a particular version of this package, it prompts you to do so or it won't work.
Because this file is used by so many applications, it commonly shows up in errors. Users report issues with this when launching Skype, the WordPress app, and various games.
MSVCR100, MSVCR71
These two DLLs are companions of the above. While the CP in those stands for C++, these files contain libraries in the C programming language. These two numbers are again different versions of the same file, and you likely have multiple versions installed thanks to program compatibility.
Since these are so common, errors often appear when you launch a variety of software.
VCRUNTIME140
The "link" in Dynamic Link Library exists for a reason---here's another DLL that's related to the first two. Versions 7 to 13 of the Visual C++ library DLLs used a different name for each version, resulting in the above common files. Starting with version 14, programs using either language have to link to another new DLL. Its name is VCRUNTIME, which changes with each new version.
This error is known to occur when trying to run Adobe Creative Cloud software, as well as Kodi.
D3DX9_43
Here's a DLL with a different root. The DX in this file name refers to Microsoft DirectX, a collection of APIs for running multimedia games and apps. The 43 in the title refers to a specific version, so you may also see this with another number.
Since your computer only uses DirectX for these intensive programs, you're likely to see this error when starting a video game.
Lame_enc
Lame_enc isn't an insult to your PC. It refers to the LAME (LAME Ain't an MP3 Encoder) encoder that allows audio software to convert to MP3. Due to software patents, programs legally can't include MP3 encoding software. Thus, you'll need to install LAME on your own.
The majority of users who see this error will have LAME installed for use in Audacity. If you're not using Audacity, you'll probably see this error when you try to load or save an MP3.
Before you follow all the troubleshooting steps below, make sure you actually have LAME installed. If you see a message from Audacity starting with Audacity does not export MP3 files directly..., download LAME and try again.
NTDLL
Probably the most serious error on the list, NTDLL is a file that handles NT kernel functions. NT used to stand for New Technology and was once a part of the Windows product name, but now is only included in technical Windows information.
Errors about this DLL are often caused by driver issues or a problem with Windows interfacing with a program. Because this file handles low-level system functions, crashes often prevent you from booting into Windows.
How to Troubleshoot DLL Errors
Now that we've reviewed some of the most common errors, let's walk through the general process of troubleshooting them. Note that these are generic troubleshooting steps and may not apply to every error. But if you're getting an error because DLL files are missing, this sequence will help.
- Reboot
- Check for the missing DLL
- Install Windows updates
- Reinstall the affected program
- Update relevant drivers
- Perform a system file check
- Scan for malware
- Re-register the DLL
- Try a System Restore
- Reset Windows
Step 0: What Not to Do
When troubleshooting DLL errors, you will almost certainly come across websites claiming they can fix all your problems with a simple download of the DLL file you need. Do not download DLL files from these websites.
Like driver update utilities, you have no way of knowing where these sites got their DLLs from. Thus, they're almost certainly not official, are often outdated, and could contain malware. Plus, replacing a single DLL is often not enough to fix your issue, which means tracking down a new one is a waste of time.
Also, avoid jumping right to the specific DLL file that causes the error, and don't dig around in the Windows Registry. These advanced steps are not necessary in most cases, and you could easily end up causing more problems.
Step 1: Reboot
As with most troubleshooting, rebooting should be what you try first. If you're lucky, your issue is just a minor glitch and a reboot will clear it up. Save your work, reboot, and try whatever caused the error again.
Step 2: Check for the Missing DLL
It's not likely since Windows protects the folders containing DLLs, but you (or a program) may have deleted a DLL by mistake. Check the Recycle Bin for the DLL in question and restore it if you find it there. If you think you deleted it but already emptied the Recycle Bin, use a restoration program.
Step 3: Install Windows Updates
Since many DLL errors are related to Microsoft-distributed libraries, checking for Windows updates can resolve issues by downloading the newest versions. This is especially important if you've put off installing updates for some time.
After you install any available updates, reboot your system again to make sure they're applied.
Step 4: Reinstall the Affected Program
Sometimes a particular program can get tripped up when accessing a DLL file. It's worth uninstalling whatever program is giving the error and re-installing a fresh copy. This may be a bit of work depending on what's giving you the issue, but it's an important step.
Step 5: Update Relevant Drivers
If the DLL error pops up when you deal with a specific piece of hardware, you should update the appropriate drivers. For example, if you see the error every time you try to print, try updating your printer's driver. Update your graphics card driver if the error happens during graphics-intensive tasks like launching a game.
Step 6: Perform a System File Check
Next, you should try running the SFC (System File Checker) command. This has Windows check various system files and fixes any that are missing or damaged.
To do so, type cmd into the Start Menu. Right-click its entry, and choose Run as administrator. Then, enter the following command:
sfc /scannow
This scan will take a while, so run it when you have a few minutes. When it finishes, Windows will tell you if it found any problems.
Step 7: Scan for Malware
While DLL errors aren't necessarily caused by malware, they could be. Perhaps an infection damaged a DLL file in the past or is messing with one now. Run a scan with your antivirus and then use the free version of Malwarebytes for a second opinion, just to rule it out.
Step 8: Re-Register the DLL
At this point, it's worth trying to unregister and re-register the DLL file. This forces Windows to "forget" the DLL for a moment and re-establishes the component, which can fix the issue.
Open another elevated Command Prompt by typing cmd into the Start Menu, then right-clicking and choosing Run as administrator. Type the following commands one at a time, adding in the name of the problematic DLL:
regsvr32 /u FILENAME.dll
regsvr32 FILENAME.dll
Step 9: Try a System Restore
If this error started recently, a System Restore can take you back in time and hopefully reverse the problem.
Type control panel into the Start Menu, open it, and select Recovery. Here, select Open System Restore. Follow the prompts to choose a restore time and let Windows complete the process.
Check out our help on troubleshooting System Restore if you run into issues.
Step 10: Reset Windows
At this point, you've done nearly all the troubleshooting you can. If you're sure that you've installed all available Windows and driver updates, reinstalled the program, tried the Command Prompt utilities, and rebooted (recently), then you should proceed with resetting Windows.
Thankfully, you can use the Reset This PC function to reinstall a fresh copy of Windows without removing your personal files. Hopefully, it never gets to this point. But after all the above troubleshooting, you should just reset and avoid wasting even more time troubleshooting.
What DLL Errors Drive You Crazy?
Now you know the roots of some common DLL errors and how to troubleshoot them. Unfortunately, these issues are some of the most frustrating to troubleshoot, so we wish you luck. Hopefully, your issue will disappear with a few quick updates and a reboot.
For more, check out our complete guide to troubleshooting the Fall Creators Update.