Fix Entry Point Not Found Error in Windows 10

This guide walks you through resolving the “Entry Point Not Found” error in Windows 10, which typically appears when a program or system file cannot locate a required function in a DLL. You’ll learn the most common causes and step-by-step fixes, from simple restarts to system file repairs.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to the Windows 10 PC
Internet connection (for downloading updates and system files)
Patience—some fixes require multiple attempts

Step-by-Step

Restart your computer. A simple reboot clears temporary glitches that may cause the error. Save your work and restart via Start > Power > Restart.
Run Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click “Check for updates.” Install any pending updates and restart. This often fixes missing or outdated system files.
Reinstall the problematic program. If the error appears when launching a specific app, uninstall it via Settings > Apps > Apps & features, then download the latest version from the official website and reinstall. This replaces corrupted or missing DLL files.
Run the System File Checker (SFC). Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)). Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete (may take 15-20 minutes). Restart if it finds and repairs issues.
Run DISM to repair system image. In the same admin Command Prompt, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This fixes corruption in the Windows system image that SFC might miss. Restart after completion.
Update device drivers. Outdated drivers (especially graphics, chipset, or network) can cause entry point errors. Open Device Manager (right-click Start > Device Manager), expand categories, right-click each device, and select “Update driver” > “Search automatically for updated driver software.” Repeat for all devices with warnings.
Check for malware. Run a full scan with Windows Defender (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options > Full scan). Malware can replace or corrupt DLL files.
Use System Restore. If the error started recently, restore your PC to a point before it began. Type “rstrui” in the Start menu and press Enter. Choose a restore point and follow the prompts.
Perform a clean boot. This helps identify if a third-party service is causing the issue. Type “msconfig” in Start, go to the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” click “Disable all,” then restart. If the error disappears, re-enable services one by one to find the culprit.
Reset or reinstall Windows 10. As a last resort, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > “Reset this PC” and choose “Keep my files.” This reinstalls Windows while preserving personal data, but reinstalls all apps.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the restart after each fix. Many repairs only take effect after a reboot.
Downloading DLL files from random websites. These are often infected or incorrect. Always reinstall the program or use Windows system tools instead.
Ignoring Windows updates. Microsoft regularly patches DLL issues; skipping updates leaves your system vulnerable.
Running SFC without admin rights. It will fail with “You must be an administrator.” Always right-click and run as administrator.
Assuming it’s always a system issue. Often it’s a single app that needs updating or reinstalling.

Tips

Always create a system restore point before making major changes (search “create restore point” in Start).
Write down the exact error message, including the DLL name and function. This helps you identify the culprit—search for that DLL name online to see which program it belongs to.
Keep your drivers updated regularly, especially after a Windows feature update.
Use the “Windows Update Troubleshooter” from Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters if updates fail.
If the error occurs on startup, check which programs launch automatically (Task Manager > Startup tab) and disable suspicious ones.

Troubleshooting

If the error persists after all steps:

Check the event logs. Open Event Viewer (search “event viewer”), go to Windows Logs > Application, and look for errors around the time the error appears. The details may point to the exact DLL or module.
Use the Microsoft Sysinternals Process Monitor. This free tool can trace which DLL is being loaded and failing. Run it while launching the problematic program, then filter for “NAME NOT FOUND” results.
Try a different user account. Create a new local user (Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else). If the error doesn’t appear there, your user profile is corrupted—consider creating a new one.
Check for conflicting software. If you recently installed a new program, uninstall it and see if the error goes away. Also check for leftover files in the registry (use a reputable registry cleaner only if you’re confident).
Perform an in-place repair upgrade. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official site, run it, and choose “Upgrade this PC now.” This reinstalls Windows while keeping your files and apps, and often fixes deep system corruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Entry Point Not Found” mean?

It means a program tried to call a function (entry point) in a DLL file, but that function doesn’t exist in the version of the DLL present on your system. This usually happens when a DLL is outdated, corrupted, or missing.

Why does this error appear on startup?

Startup errors often come from programs that launch automatically. Their DLLs may be outdated or incompatible with a recent Windows update. Check Task Manager’s Startup tab and disable suspicious items.

Can I fix this by copying a DLL file from another PC?

Not recommended. DLLs are system-specific and version-dependent. Copying from another PC can cause more errors or even crash your system. Always reinstall the program or use system repair tools.

Is this error dangerous?

It’s usually not dangerous, but it can be a sign of malware if it appears randomly. Run a full antivirus scan to be safe. Otherwise, it’s just a software compatibility issue.

Will reinstalling Windows fix it?

Yes, a clean install of Windows 10 will almost certainly fix the error, but it’s a drastic step. Try the other fixes first, especially SFC and DISM, which are less invasive.

How long does SFC take?

Typically 15-20 minutes, but it can take longer on slower systems. Let it run to completion without interrupting.

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

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