Fix VCRUNTIME140.dll Missing on Windows 10

If you see a “VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing” error on Windows 10, it usually means a program needs the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, but it’s not installed or is corrupted. This guide walks you through the most reliable fixes, from reinstalling the runtime to system-level checks, so you can get your app running again.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to your Windows 10 PC (to install software and run system commands).
An internet connection to download the official Microsoft package.
Knowledge of whether your Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit (most are 64-bit). You can check in Settings > System > About.

Step-by-Step

Restart your computer. Sometimes a simple reboot clears temporary glitches that cause the error to appear. If the error persists, continue.
Reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. This is the most common fix. Go to the official Microsoft download page for “Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015-2022” (search for it on microsoft.com). Download both the x64 and x86 versions (even if you have a 64-bit system, some programs need the 32-bit runtime). Run each installer as administrator and follow the prompts. Restart your PC after installation.
Run the program as administrator. Right-click the program’s shortcut or .exe file, select “Run as administrator.” If it works, the issue may be related to permissions. You can permanently set this by right-clicking the shortcut > Properties > Compatibility > check “Run this program as an administrator.”
Check for Windows Updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and click “Check for updates.” Install any pending updates, especially optional updates that include driver or runtime updates. Restart after.
Repair the Visual C++ Redistributable. Open Control Panel > Programs and Features. Find “Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64)” (and x86 if present). Right-click and choose “Change” (or “Repair”). Follow the on-screen instructions. Do this for both versions if both are listed.
Run System File Checker (SFC). Open Command Prompt as administrator (type “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click, Run as administrator). Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete (may take 10-15 minutes). If it finds issues, restart and check if the error is gone.
Use DISM to repair system image. If SFC doesn’t help, run DISM. In the same Command Prompt, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This can take up to 30 minutes. After it finishes, restart and run SFC again.
Manually place the DLL (advanced, last resort). If the error specifically names a missing DLL and other fixes fail, you can copy the file from a working system. However, this is risky and not recommended. Instead, try reinstalling the specific program that triggers the error. Many installers include the runtime files.

Common Mistakes

Downloading DLL files from random websites. These are often outdated, infected, or the wrong version. Always use the official Microsoft redistributable.
Only installing the 64-bit version. Many 32-bit applications require the x86 runtime even on 64-bit Windows. Install both.
Skipping the restart. The runtime installation often requires a reboot to take effect.
Ignoring other missing DLL errors. If you see errors for MSVCP140.dll or VCRUNTIME140_1.dll, the same fix applies – reinstall the redistributable.

Tips

Always download the latest version of the Visual C++ Redistributable, as it includes all previous versions’ DLLs.
If you have multiple versions of the redistributable installed (e.g., 2013, 2015), keep them. Some programs need specific versions.
Use a reputable uninstaller tool if you suspect a corrupted installation, but manual uninstall via Control Panel is usually sufficient.

Troubleshooting

If the error persists after all steps:

Check if the program is 32-bit or 64-bit. If you’re unsure, right-click the program’s .exe, go to Properties > Compatibility, and try running it in compatibility mode for an older Windows version (e.g., Windows 7).
Look for a specific DLL name. The error might mention VCRUNTIME140_1.dll instead. This is part of the same redistributable, so the fix is identical.
Try a clean boot. Disable all startup items and non-Microsoft services (via msconfig) to see if another program is interfering. If the error disappears, re-enable items one by one to find the culprit.
Check the Windows Event Viewer. Look under Windows Logs > Application for errors related to the program. It may give more details about the failure.
If all else fails, perform a system restore. Go to Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore, and choose a restore point from before the error started. This reverts system files without affecting your personal data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VCRUNTIME140.dll?

It’s a runtime component of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Programs written in C++ need it to run on Windows.

Why does the error appear even though I have the latest Windows?

Windows doesn’t include the Visual C++ runtime by default. Each program that needs it must install it, or you must install it manually.

Can I just download the DLL file and put it in System32?

Technically yes, but it’s risky. Using the official redistributable ensures the file is correct, properly registered, and includes all dependencies.

Will this fix work for games?

Yes, many games (especially older ones) rely on the Visual C++ runtime. Installing the latest redistributable usually resolves the error.

Do I need both x64 and x86 versions?

Yes, it’s recommended. Some 32-bit programs run on 64-bit Windows and need the x86 runtime.

What if the error still occurs after reinstalling?

Try running the program as administrator, check for Windows updates, and if it’s a specific program, reinstall that program. If it’s a system-wide issue, run SFC and DISM as described above.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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