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StaceyAbrams's avatar
StaceyAbrams
Copper Contributor
Feb 13, 2025

How do you fix missing dll files on Windows 11?

I recently encountered some problems on Windows 11. When I started a certain program, it always prompted that the DLL file was missing. I checked and found that many people have this problem. I would like to ask everyone, is there any simple way to fix missing dll files on Windows 11? I tried a few methods myself, but it was still not stable.

First, I tried restarting the computer. Sometimes these simple operations can solve the problem, but this time it didn't seem to work. Then, I ran sfc /scannow from the command line, and it didn't seem to have any special effect.
In short, there is no perfect solution yet. If you have experience or useful suggestions, please share them!

  • Stephennen's avatar
    Stephennen
    Iron Contributor

    Sure thing! In my experience, when you run into those annoying "DLL file missing" errors, a tool like Dll Fixer can be a real lifesaver. It automates the tedious process of finding and fixing DLL files. Just run a scan, and usually, it'll patch things up pretty quickly.

    I followed this tutorial (worked greatly)

    https://www.reddiite.com/fix-dll-issues-on-windows

    Definitely worth a try!

  • johnjacobb40's avatar
    johnjacobb40
    Copper Contributor

    You can try downloading the missing DLL file from a trusted source and place it in System32 or SysWOW64.  

  • Xioun's avatar
    Xioun
    Copper Contributor

    If you're tempted to start replacing system DLLs (like those in the System32 or SysWOW64 folders), create a system restore point first! That way, if something goes horribly wrong, you can roll back your system to a working state. I learned this the hard way after rendering my OS unbootable and spending half a day reinstalling Windows. 

    Don't just Google and grab any DLL to fix corrupted DLL files, this is a HUGE no-no. There are tons of shady websites out there hosting DLL files. Downloading from them is a recipe for malware, viruses, or incompatible files that'll mess up your system even more. I've seen it happen where people download a DLL, and suddenly their computer is riddled with pop-up ads or worse.

  • Zaamp's avatar
    Zaamp
    Copper Contributor

    Before we dive into more complex fixes, let's make sure your Windows 11 is up-to-date. Microsoft often releases updates that include DLL fixes or patches, so this could resolve your issue. Head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click on 'Check for updates'.

    About how to fix missing DLL files on Windows 11, you can use the DlSM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) Tool
    The DlSM tool is another powerful utility that can help fix issues related to system files, including DLLs. To use it:

    1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator (same steps as above).
    2. Type dlsm /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and press Enter.
    3. DlSM will scan your system files and repair any issues it finds.
  • Manually downloading and replacing DLL files is a method I used when I encountered the problem of fix corrupted dll files. Although it is a bit cumbersome, it can be effective if all other methods have failed.

    1. Identify the missing DLL file: Usually the program will indicate which DLL file is missing. For example, you will see an error message saying "missing xxx.dll". Note the file name.
    2. Download the DLL file: I went to some trusted DLL download sites (such as DLL-files.com) to download the missing DLL file. Be careful to choose the download source here to ensure that the file is safe and avoid downloading viruses or malware.
    3. Replace the DLL file: After downloading, I copied the DLL file to the correct location, usually C:\Windows\System32 folder, or C:\Windows\SysWow64 folder if it is a 64-bit system.

    This manual method can help you fix corrupted dll files, especially if the system files are corrupted or the program is not installed completely. However, manually downloading and replacing DLL files is risky, so be sure to download the file from a reliable source. Overall, this is an effective solution.

  • Yanksk's avatar
    Yanksk
    Iron Contributor

    Running the D1SM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) is an effective way to fix corrupted system files, including DLL files, on Windows 11. D1SM repairs the Windows system image, which can fix corrupted dll files on Windows 10/11 underlying issues causing DLL corruption. 

    Step 1: Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

    Step 2: Check the health of your system image. This command quickly checks for corruption but does not make any changes.

    D1SM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

    Step 3: If the health check indicates issues, run a more detailed scan. It scans the system image for corruption and reports any issues.

    Step 4: If corruption is found, repair the system image with the following command as it downloads and replaces corrupted files from Windows Update or a specified source.

    D1SM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    The repair process may take some time (10–30 minutes or more, depending on your system and the extent of corruption). Do not interrupt the process. Once the process is complete, restart your computer.

    Additional Notes:

    1. If the corrupted DLL is associated with a specific program (not a system file), reinstalling the program may be necessary.

    2. Always ensure your system is up to date by running Windows Update (Settings > Windows Update).

     

  • Eansbuin's avatar
    Eansbuin
    Copper Contributor

    I've found that many times the missing DLL files are actually a result of a program not being fully installed during installation, resulting in missing files. I tried this method:

    Uninstall the problem program: Simply uninstall the program that says it's missing DLL files from Settings > Apps.

    Reinstall: Then re-download and install the program from the official website or a reliable source. After reinstalling, the program will usually automatically repair any missing DLL files and the problem will be solved.

    This method is particularly effective for situations where the DLL files of a specific program are missing.

    • StaceyAbrams's avatar
      StaceyAbrams
      Copper Contributor

      I've found that many times the missing DLL files are actually a result of a program not being fully installed during installation, resulting in missing files. I tried this method:

      Uninstall the problem program: Simply uninstall the program that says it's missing DLL files from Settings > Apps.

      Reinstall: Then re-download and install the program from the official website or a reliable source. After reinstalling, the program will usually automatically repair any missing DLL files and the problem will be solved.

      This method is particularly effective for situations where the DLL files of a specific program are missing.

      This method does work, especially for DLL files that are missing due to an incomplete program installation. However, I'm curious if you think this method works for different types of programs (such as games, office software, etc.) or if some types of software are more likely to have DLL problems fixed by reinstalling them? 

       

  • I have encountered the problem of missing dll file on Windows 11 before. I tried many methods and finally solved it by running the System File Checker (SFC). In fact, this method is quite simple. I saw someone else's recommendation at the time and decided to give it a try.

    At that time, I opened a program and it always prompted that the DLL file was missing. After checking, I found that this problem is quite common, so I wanted to start with the System File Checker (SFC). The steps are very simple:

    1. Open the Command Prompt (Admin): Right-click the Start menu and select "Windows Terminal (Admin)", or directly search for "cmd", and then right-click "Run as Administrator".
    2. Run sfc /scannow: Type sfc /scannow in the command line and press Enter. At this time, the system will start scanning and repairing your system files. In fact, this process is a bit slow, and you have to wait patiently, but after it finishes scanning, it will automatically repair some damaged or missing files, including DLL files.
    3. Restart the computer: After I ran it, I restarted the computer and opened the program again, and found that the missing DLL file was no longer prompted.

    In fact, sfc /scannow is the most effective step for me to solve the problem of missing dll file on Windows 11. Although it may not work for everyone, at least in my experience, it works well. You can give it a try!

  • Eavasin's avatar
    Eavasin
    Iron Contributor

    If the missing DLL error occurs when using a specific program, it often indicates that the program's installation is corrupted, incomplete, or the required DLL file is missing or damaged. Here's to fix Missing DLL files on Windows 11. Please the suggestions one by one.

    Method 1: Reinstall the Program

    This can replace missing or corrupted files, including the required DLL.

    1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
    2. Locate the program, click the three dots next to it, and select Uninstall. 
    3. Download the latest version of the program from the official website. 
    4. Reinstall the program and check if the DLL error is resolved.

    Method 2. Repair the Program (if available) 

    1. Some programs include a built-in repair feature that can fix issues without requiring a full reinstall. 
    2. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
    3. Locate the program and click the three dots next to it. If a Modify or Repair option is available, select it and follow the on-screen instructions.
    4. Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

    Method 3. Check for Program Updates

    The missing DLL error might be caused by a bug or compatibility issue that has been fixed in a newer version of the program.

    1. Open the program and check for updates in its settings or help menu.
    2. Alternatively, visit the official website of the program to download and install the latest version.
    3. Restart the program and see if the error persists.

    If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider contacting the program's support team for further assistance. They may provide specific guidance or updates to fix the problem.

  • RasBaraka's avatar
    RasBaraka
    Copper Contributor

    It's really annoying to encounter this kind of problem! I also encountered the problem of fixing missing dll file in Windows 11. I tried several methods and finally got some results. I share them with you, maybe they can help you.

    Method 1: Run System File Checker (SFC)
    This is the first method I tried and it is also recommended by many people. You can fix missing dll file in Windows 11 through command line. The specific steps are:

    1. Open "Command Prompt (Admin)": Right-click the Start menu and select "Windows Terminal (Admin)" or search for "cmd".
    2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. The system will scan and repair errors in the file, including missing DLL files.
    3. However, after running it, although there were some repairs, the problem of fixing missing dll file in Windows 11 still existed. So, I decided to try other methods.

     

    Method 2: Reinstall the corresponding program
    Sometimes a missing DLL file is caused by an incomplete installation of a software. I tried reinstalling the problematic program (the one that caused the DLL file to be missing). After uninstalling and reinstalling it, it worked. The program started without any problems and there was no missing DLL file error.

     

    Method 3: Manually download and replace the DLL file
    This method is a bit risky, but if you are sure which DLL file is missing, you can try to find a reliable online source to download it. After downloading, follow the steps below:

    1. Find the location of the missing DLL file (usually the specific path is provided in the error message).
      Download the correct DLL file and place it in the specified folder.
    2. You can also copy the DLL file to the C:\Windows\System32 folder (64-bit systems should usually be placed in C:\Windows\SysWow64).
    3. It should be noted that when downloading DLL files, you should choose a trusted source to avoid downloading malicious files.

    In general, the problem of fixing missing dll file in Windows 11 is not difficult to solve, but it requires patience. I have tried the above three methods. Although none of them are immediate, they all helped me restore normal use in the end. If you have other methods, you are also welcome to share and discuss them together!

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