How to Fix MSVCR110.dll is missing (Windows Applications)
Quick Answer
The "MSVCR110.dll is missing" error indicates that a program requires a specific Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package that is not installed or has become corrupted. The fastest fix is to download and install the correct Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012.
What Causes This Error
- The Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012 (which contains MSVCR110.dll) is not installed on the system.
- The installed Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package has become corrupted or damaged.
- The MSVCR110.dll file was accidentally deleted or moved from its system directory.
- A program installation failed to include or properly install the necessary Visual C++ runtime components.
- Malware infection has corrupted or removed system files, including MSVCR110.dll.
- Outdated or incompatible versions of the Visual C++ Redistributable are present on the system, causing conflicts.
Step-by-Step Fixes
1Install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012
- Navigate to the official Microsoft Download Center website.
- Search for "Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012 Update 4" or directly access the download page.
- Download both the 32-bit (vcredist_x86.exe) and 64-bit (vcredist_x64.exe) versions, regardless of your system architecture, as some applications may require the 32-bit version even on a 64-bit OS.
- Run both downloaded executable files (vcredist_x86.exe and vcredist_x64.exe) as an administrator. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
- Restart your computer after the installation is complete and attempt to launch the application that was displaying the error.
2Reinstall the Problematic Application
- Open the 'Control Panel' on your Windows system. You can do this by searching for 'Control Panel' in the Start Menu.
- Navigate to 'Programs' then 'Programs and Features' (or 'Add or Remove Programs' on older Windows versions).
- Locate the application that is generating the MSVCR110.dll error in the list of installed programs.
- Right-click on the application and select 'Uninstall' or 'Change/Uninstall'. Follow any on-screen prompts to completely remove the application.
- After uninstallation, restart your computer. Then, reinstall the application using its original installation media or downloaded installer. This process may include the necessary Visual C++ Redistributable package.
3Perform 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.
- Allow the System File Checker tool to complete its scan. This process may take several minutes.
- If SFC finds corrupted files, it will attempt to repair them. Review the scan results for any messages regarding repair status.
- Restart your computer after the SFC scan is finished and check if the MSVCR110.dll error persists.
4Update Windows
- Open the Start Menu and click on the 'Settings' icon (gear icon).
- Click on 'Update & Security' (or 'Windows Update' on newer Windows versions).
- Click the 'Check for updates' button.
- Allow Windows to download and install any available updates. These updates may include critical system files or runtime components.
- Restart your computer as prompted by the update process and retest the application.
Advanced Fixes
Register the MSVCR110.dll File (If Present)
- Open the Start Menu, type 'cmd', right-click on 'Command Prompt' and select 'Run as administrator'.
- To unregister the DLL, type 'regsvr32 /u MSVCR110.dll' and press Enter. You may receive an error if the file is not found or not registered.
- To register the DLL, type 'regsvr32 MSVCR110.dll' and press Enter.
- A confirmation message should appear indicating that the DLL was successfully registered. If an error occurs, the file may be missing or corrupted, requiring reinstallation of the Visual C++ Redistributable.
- Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Perform a Clean Boot
- Open the 'System Configuration' utility by typing 'msconfig' in the Start Menu search bar and pressing Enter.
- Go to the 'Services' tab, check the box for 'Hide all Microsoft services', and then click 'Disable all'.
- Go to the 'Startup' tab, click 'Open Task Manager'. In Task Manager, disable each startup item individually by right-clicking and selecting 'Disable'. Close Task Manager.
- Click 'OK' in the System Configuration window and restart your computer when prompted.
- After the clean boot, attempt to run the problematic application. If the error is resolved, re-enable services and startup items one by one to identify the conflicting software. If the error persists, proceed with other troubleshooting steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MSVCR110.dll?
MSVCR110.dll is a Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable file, specifically part of the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012. It contains runtime libraries required by programs developed using Visual Studio 2012 to function correctly on a Windows operating system.
Why do I need both x86 and x64 versions of the redistributable?
Even if your operating system is 64-bit, some applications installed on it may be 32-bit. These 32-bit applications require the 32-bit (x86) version of the Visual C++ Redistributable, while 64-bit applications require the 64-bit (x64) version. Installing both ensures compatibility for all types of applications.
Can I just copy the MSVCR110.dll file from another computer?
Copying DLL files from another computer is not recommended. This can lead to version mismatches, security vulnerabilities, or further system instability. The correct and safe method is to install the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package, which properly registers the DLL and its dependencies within the system.
What if installing the redistributable doesn't fix the MSVCR110.dll missing error?
If installing the Visual C++ Redistributable doesn't resolve the issue, consider reinstalling the specific application that is generating the error. This ensures the application's installation process correctly integrates all necessary dependencies. Additionally, performing a System File Checker scan can help identify and repair other corrupted system files that might be contributing to the problem.