The Definitive Guide to Fixing VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll Errors on Windows 11
Missing or corrupted VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll files are a common cause of errors when installing or launching applications on Windows 11. These critical DLL (Dynamic Link Library) files are part of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package and provide essential functionality for apps built using Visual C++. Reinstalling the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable is often the easiest fix, however there are a few other troubleshooting methods that may resolve the issue. Here is our definitive guide to fixing VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll errors on Windows 11:
Diagnosing the Issue
When you attempt to install or launch an application in Windows and receive an error mentioning VCRUNTIME140.dll or MSVCP140.dll, it likely means one or both of the files are missing or corrupted. You may see various error messages such as:
How to fix runtime error in Windows 11?
Several users have reported encountering the Runtime Error in Windows 11, which prevents them from launching the app. To fix the issue, restart the PC, update the graphics driver, repair/reset the problematic application, amongst other methods listed below. Also, find out the best software to solve the Runtime Error for good.
"VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing"
"MSVCP140.dll not found"
"The code execution cannot proceed because VCRUNTIME140_1.dll was not found"
These DLLs are prerequisites and must be present for apps built with Visual C++ to run properly. If they are damaged or removed, runtime errors will occur.
Potential Causes
There are a few common reasons why you might see VCRUNTIME140.dll or MSVCP140.dll errors:
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Missing or corrupted system files– A damaged Windows system file can prevent the DLLs from registering correctly.
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Outdated or missing Visual C++ Redistributable– The files may be missing if the required Visual C++ Redistributable package is not installed, damaged or outdated.
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Software incompatibility– Certain software might replace or block the valid DLL versions needed by other programs.
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Malware/virus infection– Viruses and malware sometimes remove or replace key system files like DLLs.
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Software bug/glitch– Rarely, a software bug may mistakenly delete the files.
Fixing VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll Errors
1. Install the Latest Visual C++ Redistributable
The simplest solution is to download and install the latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable package from Microsoft. This contains the most updated DLL files that apps need.
You should install both the x86 and x64 versions:
x86: Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017 and 2019
x64: Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017 and 2019
Run both installers, reboot your PC, then try launching the problematic application again.
2. Repair Corrupt System Files
Sometimes corrupted Windows system files prevent the DLLs from registering properly. Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan for and replace damaged files:
- Open an elevated Command Prompt
- Type
sfc /scannowand hit Enter - Restart your PC once finished
This will check that all critical files including DLLs are intact and restore any faulty ones from a cache.
3. Reinstall the Problem Application
If the issue stems from the application itself, reinstalling can overwrite the missing DLL files. Uninstall the program from your PC fully, reboot, then grab a fresh installer copy from the developer. Run setup again to replace all associated program files.
4. Copy DLLs from Another PC
You can manually extract copies of VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll from another Windows 11 computer that has the Visual C++ Redistributable installed. Replacing the problematic DLLs may resolve the errors. Just be sure to extract matching x86 or x64 versions.
5. Use Dependency Walker
For advanced users, the Dependency Walker utility can diagnose why a specific application fails due to missing DLL dependencies. It reveals all the interconnected files and registry data that software depends on to function. If VCRUNTIME140.dll and/or MSVCP140.dll are listed as missing, reinstalling Visual C++ Redistributable should fix it.
Preventing VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll Errors
To avoid these runtime errors in the future:
- Keep Windows and all software up-to-date to prevent system file corruption.
- Don’t remove the Visual C++ Redistributables if software you use depends on them.
- Install applications to default directories and don’t move installed files.
- Use a registry cleaner like CCleaner to fix tangled registry issues.
- Run regular anti-virus scans to detect any malware on your system.
Following Microsoft’s best practices for app development and avoiding unnecessary modifications to your system can help prevent perplexing DLL errors. Our guide outlines the most common and effective ways to troubleshoot and fix missing VCRUNTIME140.dll and MSVCP140.dll files so you can get back to normal Windows usage quickly. Let us know if you have any other questions!
