How to Fix MSVCP140.dll is missing (Windows Applications)
Quick Answer
The "MSVCP140.dll is missing" error indicates that a required Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable file is absent or corrupted on your system. The fastest solution is to download and install the appropriate Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package directly from Microsoft's official website.
What Causes This Error
- The Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, which contains MSVCP140.dll, is not installed.
- The installed Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package is corrupted or incomplete.
- The MSVCP140.dll file was accidentally deleted or moved from its system directory.
- A software installation or uninstallation process incorrectly removed or overwrote the MSVCP140.dll file.
- Malware infection has corrupted or removed system files, including MSVCP140.dll.
- Outdated or incompatible versions of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable are present on the system.
Step-by-Step Fixes
1Reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package
- Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable download page. Search for 'Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022'.
- Locate the download links for both 'vc_redist.x64.exe' (for 64-bit systems) and 'vc_redist.x86.exe' (for 32-bit systems). Download both files.
- Run 'vc_redist.x64.exe' first. If prompted, select 'Repair' if it's already installed, or 'Install' if it's not. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- After the 64-bit installation, run 'vc_redist.x86.exe' and follow the same installation or repair process. Both versions are often required even on 64-bit systems.
- Restart your computer after both installations are complete. Attempt to launch the application that was displaying the 'MSVCP140.dll is missing' error.
2Reinstall the Problematic Application
- Open the 'Settings' app by pressing 'Windows key + I', then navigate to 'Apps' > 'Apps & features'.
- Locate the application that is generating the MSVCP140.dll error in the list. Click on it and select 'Uninstall'. Follow any on-screen prompts to confirm and complete the uninstallation.
- After uninstallation, restart your computer to ensure all temporary files and registry entries are cleared.
- Download the latest version of the application from its official website or a trusted source.
- Install the application, ensuring that any prerequisites, such as Visual C++ Redistributables, are also installed during the process. Test the application.
3Run a System File Checker (SFC) Scan
- Open the 'Start' menu, type 'cmd', right-click on 'Command Prompt' in the search results, and select 'Run as administrator'.
- In the Command Prompt window, type 'sfc /scannow' and press 'Enter'. Ensure there is a space between 'sfc' and '/scannow'.
- Allow the scan to complete. This process may take several minutes. Do not close the window until the verification is 100% complete.
- Review the scan results. If corrupted files were found and successfully repaired, a message to that effect will be displayed. If files could not be repaired, proceed to the next step.
- Restart your computer and attempt to run the application again.
4Perform a Windows Update
- Open the 'Settings' app by pressing 'Windows key + I'.
- Navigate to 'Update & Security' (or 'Windows Update' on Windows 11).
- Click on 'Check for updates'. Windows will search for available updates.
- If updates are found, click 'Download and install'. Allow the updates to download and install completely.
- Restart your computer when prompted. After the restart, check if the MSVCP140.dll error persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MSVCP140.dll?
MSVCP140.dll is a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file that is part of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. It contains essential runtime components required by applications developed with Visual C++ to function correctly on Windows.
Why is MSVCP140.dll missing?
This file can be missing for several reasons, including an incomplete or corrupted installation of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, accidental deletion, or conflicts with other software installations. It is a common error when an application requires specific runtime libraries that are not present or correctly configured on the system.
Can I download MSVCP140.dll individually from a DLL download site?
Downloading individual DLL files from unofficial websites is not recommended. These files can be outdated, corrupted, or contain malware. The safest and most effective method is to install the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, which ensures all necessary and correctly versioned files are installed.
Do I need both x64 and x86 versions of the Visual C++ Redistributable?
Yes, even on a 64-bit Windows operating system, it is often necessary to install both the x64 (64-bit) and x86 (32-bit) versions of the Visual C++ Redistributable. This is because some applications, even on 64-bit systems, may be compiled as 32-bit and require the x86 runtime libraries.
What if reinstalling the Redistributable package doesn't fix the MSVCP140.dll error?
If reinstalling the Redistributable package does not resolve the issue, consider reinstalling the problematic application itself. If the error persists, running a System File Checker (SFC) scan to check for corrupted system files or performing a Windows Update to ensure all system components are current may be necessary.