Fix msvcp140.dll Missing on Windows 10

If you see an error saying msvcp140.dll is missing when you launch a game or app, your system is missing the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package that provides this file. This guide walks you through installing the correct redistributable and other fixes to get your program running again.

What You’ll Need

An internet connection to download the redistributable.
Administrator access to your Windows 10 PC (you’ll need to confirm a UAC prompt).
Knowledge of whether your Windows is 64-bit or 32-bit (most are 64-bit).

Step-by-Step

Identify the exact error. Right-click the Start button and select System. Under Device specifications, note the System type (e.g., “64-bit operating system”). This tells you which version of the redistributable to download.
Download the official Visual C++ Redistributable. Open your browser and go to the official Microsoft Download Center. Search for “Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015-2022.” Download both the x64 and x86 versions if your system is 64-bit (many apps need the 32-bit version even on 64-bit Windows).
Run the installer. Double-click the downloaded file. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click Yes. Follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to restart your PC after installation.
Test your app. Launch the program that gave the error. If it works, you’re done. If not, proceed to the next steps.
Run Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates and restart your PC. This can replace corrupted system files.
Reinstall the app that’s failing. Uninstall the program (Settings > Apps > Apps & features), then download a fresh copy from the official source and install it again. This ensures the app’s own files are intact.
Run System File Checker. Right-click the Start button, select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to finish (may take 15 minutes). Restart and test.
Use DISM if SFC finds issues. In the same admin window, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. After it completes, run sfc /scannow again. Restart.
Check for a corrupt file manually. Search your system for msvcp140.dll (use File Explorer, search C:). If you find it in a folder like C:\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64, the file exists but may be corrupted. You can copy a fresh one from the redistributable’s install folder (usually C:\Windows\System32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64 after install) to the app’s folder, but only as a last resort.
Perform a clean boot. Type msconfig in the Start menu. Under Services, check Hide all Microsoft services, click Disable all. Under Startup, open Task Manager and disable all startup items. Restart and test. If the app works, a background service was interfering.

Common Mistakes

Downloading from unofficial sites. Some sites offer “dll download” files that may contain malware. Always use the official Microsoft redistributable.
Installing only the x64 version. Many apps are 32-bit even on 64-bit Windows, so they need the x86 redistributable. Install both.
Skipping a restart. The redistributable installer may not fully register files until you restart.
Copying the DLL from the internet. This is risky and rarely fixes the root cause. The DLL must be registered properly.

Tips

Keep your Visual C++ Redistributables up to date. Microsoft releases updates that include security fixes and new versions of the DLL.
If you have multiple versions of Visual C++ installed (2010, 2013, etc.), leave them. Apps may need a specific version.
Use the “Repair” option in the redistributable installer if you already have it installed but the error persists. Right-click the downloaded installer and select Repair.
Create a system restore point before making major changes, so you can roll back if needed.

Troubleshooting

The error still appears after installing the redistributable.

Uninstall all Visual C++ Redistributables (x86 and x64) from Apps & features, then reinstall the latest ones. Sometimes old versions conflict.
Check if the app is 32-bit or 64-bit. If it’s 32-bit, ensure the x86 redistributable is installed.
Run the app as an administrator (right-click > Run as administrator) to rule out permission issues.

The app crashes with a different error after fixing msvcp140.dll.

Other Visual C++ DLLs (like msvcp100.dll or vcruntime140.dll) might also be missing. Install all recent redistributables (2015-2022 covers most).
Update your graphics drivers and DirectX.

Windows Update fails to install.

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter from Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Free up disk space if your drive is full.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is msvcp140.dll missing even after I installed the redistributable?

You may have installed only the x64 version while the app needs the x86 version, or the installation was corrupted. Reinstall both versions and restart.

Can I just download msvcp140.dll from a website?

It’s not recommended. Unofficial DLL sites often host outdated or malicious files. The correct fix is to install the official redistributable.

Is msvcp140.dll a virus?

No, it’s a legitimate Microsoft file. However, a virus might disguise itself with that name. If you find it in a suspicious location, run a full antivirus scan.

Which version of Visual C++ Redistributable do I need?

For msvcp140.dll, you need the 2015-2022 redistributable. Install both x86 and x64 to cover all apps.

Will this fix work on Windows 11?

Yes, the same steps apply to Windows 11.

Why does the error appear only for one game?

The game may be 32-bit and requires the x86 redistributable. Also, the game’s own installation might be incomplete; try reinstalling it.

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

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