How To: Fix Missing DLL Problems
Applies to: Microsoft Windows (All versions)
Symptoms
You run a program and receive a message:
Cannot find the file xxxxxxxx.exe (or one of its components.)
followed by:
Error starting program. A required .DLL file xxxxxxxx.DLL was not found.
Cause
A system file required by the application has been deleted. This can happen after uninstalling software, running a disk clearer utility, or after an attempt to tidy up the hard disk by removing files and folders that don't appear to be used.
Solution
Method 1
Reinstall the application that is reporting the error. This will usually replace any missing components as well as put right any registry entries that might be contributing to the error.
Method 2
If you recently uninstalled another program, and suspect that the error began to occur subsequent to this, reinstall that program again, or use System Restore (if you're running Windows Me or XP) to roll back to a date before the problem occurred.
Method 3
Try downloading a copy of the DLL from this web site. A few of the most commonly required DLLs are available for download from the table below. If the file you require is listed, download it, run it, read and agree to the disclaimer text, and keep clicking on Next. The installer will install the file into its normal location, checking that it is for the right version of Windows and that it isn't overwriting a newer version in the process.
Method 4
Use the search page to try to locate a copy of the file. If you find it, download it and install it in the correct location. This can be C:\Windows\System32 (Windows NT, 2000 or XP), C:\Windows\System (Windows 95, 98 or Me) or the folder of the application that reports the error.
Downloads
| Required DLL file | Description | Download |
| CSAPI3T1.DLL | Microsoft CSAPI Converter | csapi3t1.exe |
| MSVCIRT.DLL | IOStreams DLL (Windows 9x/Me) | msvcirt9x.exe |
| MSVCIRT.DLL | IOStreams DLL (Windows NT/2K/XP) | msvcirtnt.exe |
| MSVCRT.DLL | Common Runtime DLL (Windows 9x/Me) | msvcrt9x.exe |
| MSVCRT.DLL | Common Runtime DLL (Windows NT/2K/XP) | msvcrtnt.exe |
| MSVCRTD.DLL | Microsoft C Runtime Library | msvcrtd.exe |
| MSVCRT40.DLL | Microsoft C Runtime Library Forwarder DLL | msvcrt40.exe |
| VBRUN300.DLL | Microsoft Visual Basic 3 Runtime Library | vbrun300.exe |
| VDSRUN30.DLL | Visual DialogScript 3 Runtime Library | vdsrun30.exe |
| VDSRUN40.DLL | Visual DialogScript 4 Runtime Library | vdsrun40.exe |
| VDSRUN50.DLL | Visual DialogScript 5 Runtime Library | vdsrun50.exe |
| VDSBRW50.DLL | Visual DialogScript 5 web browser extension | vdsbrw50.exe |
| VDSPOPUP.DLL | Visual DialogScript enhanced pop-up menu | vdspopup.exe |
