Fix msvcp140.dll Missing or Not Found in Windows

This guide walks you through the most reliable ways to fix the msvcp140.dll missing or not found error on Windows. This error typically appears when you try to launch a game or application that needs the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package. You’ll fix it by reinstalling that package, and if that doesn’t work, we’ll cover system file checks and manual replacement.

What You’ll Need

Administrator access to your Windows PC (to install software and run system commands).
A stable internet connection to download the official Microsoft files.
About 15 minutes of time.

Step-by-Step

Restart your computer. A simple reboot clears temporary glitches and can resolve the error if it was caused by a recent update or a hung process.
Download the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Go to the Microsoft Download Center and search for “Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015-2022”. Download both the x64 and x86 versions. Even if your Windows is 64-bit, many programs still require the 32-bit version.
Install the downloaded packages. Right-click each installer and select Run as administrator. Follow the prompts and restart your PC after installation.
Test the application. Launch the program that gave the error. If it works, you’re done. If not, continue.
Run the System File Checker (SFC). Type cmd in the Windows search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This scans and repairs corrupted system files. Wait for it to finish, then restart.
Run DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool). In the same admin Command Prompt, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This fixes Windows image corruption that SFC might miss. Restart after completion.
Check Windows Update. Go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates, especially .NET Framework and Visual C++ related ones, then restart.
Manually replace the DLL (advanced). If the error persists, you can copy the file from a working system. On a working PC, navigate to C:\Windows\System32 (for 64-bit DLL) or C:\Windows\SysWOW64 (for 32-bit DLL). Copy msvcp140.dll to a USB drive. On your broken PC, place it in the same folder. You may need to take ownership of the file first – right-click it, go to Properties > Security > Advanced, change the owner to your user account, and grant full control.
Reinstall the problematic application. Uninstall the program that triggers the error, then download a fresh copy from the official source and install it again. This ensures the app’s own DLL files are correctly placed.

Common Mistakes

Downloading from third-party sites. Always use the official Microsoft download page. Random DLL sites often bundle malware or provide outdated versions.
Only installing the x64 version. Many 32-bit apps need the x86 version of the redistributable. Install both.
Skipping the restart. Windows often needs a reboot to register the newly installed DLL files.
Copying the DLL to the wrong folder. The 64-bit version goes in System32, the 32-bit version in SysWOW64. Mixing them up causes the error to persist.

Tips

Keep your Visual C++ Redistributables up to date. Microsoft releases updates that fix bugs and security issues.
If you’re a developer, install the redistributable as part of your application’s installer to avoid this error for your users.
Use a system restore point before making major changes, especially if you’re manually replacing DLL files.
If the error appears in a specific game, check the game’s official forums for known fixes – sometimes a game update resolves it.

Troubleshooting

If the error still appears after following all steps, try these additional checks:

Check the Event Viewer. Press Win + R, type eventvwr, and look under Windows Logs > Application for errors that mention msvcp140.dll. The details may point to a specific module or path.
Run the application as administrator. Right-click the program’s shortcut and select Run as administrator. Some apps need elevated permissions to load DLLs.
Disable antivirus temporarily. Sometimes security software quarantines DLLs. If disabling it fixes the issue, add an exception for the program.
Check for conflicting versions. If you have multiple Visual C++ versions installed, uninstall all of them (via Control Panel > Programs and Features) and reinstall the latest 2015-2022 redistributable.
Perform a clean boot. Use msconfig to disable non-Microsoft services and startup items. If the error disappears, a background program is interfering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is msvcp140.dll?

It’s a dynamic link library file that’s part of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. It provides C++ standard library functions that many Windows applications rely on.

Why does this error happen?

It usually occurs when the redistributable is missing, corrupted, or outdated. It can also happen after a Windows update or when a program installs an incompatible version.

Can I just download msvcp140.dll from a website?

It’s not recommended. Those sites are often unsafe and the DLL may be a different version. Installing the official redistributable is safer and fixes the root cause.

Do I need both x64 and x86 versions?

Yes, in most cases. Even on 64-bit Windows, 32-bit applications use the x86 version. Installing both covers all possibilities.

Will this error harm my computer?

No, the error itself is harmless. It only prevents the specific application from running. However, using a DLL from an untrusted source can introduce malware.

How long does the fix take?

Usually 10-15 minutes. The redistributable install is quick, but the system file checks and restarts take a bit longer.

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

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