How to fix missing api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file error on Windows 10

What is missing api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file error

These are the kind of messages one will receive if the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file is missing or cannot be located:

The most common reason why such errors occur is a lack of Visual C++ Redistributable elements, file corruption, or faulty software that you are attempting to run. Due to one of these causes, users are unable to run specific applications that require the file. It is possible to face the same or similar error like MSVCR110.dll, CONCRT140.dll, msvcp110.dll, VCRUNTIME140.dll, and so forth in any Windows OS. In essence, this error should not be a big challenge to solve on whatever Windows version you use (be it 7, 10, or 11). We have delivered a complete tutorial with solutions that might potentially work down below.

1. Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributables

As said, DLL errors are problems associated with Microsoft Visual Studio. Therefore, it is quite likely that the error is caused by corrupted or missing Redistributable packages. We first advise you to try and repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable using the steps below. If this does not sort out the problem, you can reinstall the software as well. api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is part of Microsoft Visual Studio 2015, so this is the one you will have to install.

1. Open this Visual Studio page.
2. Click on the download links for vc_redist.x86.exe and vc_redist.x64.exe.
3. Execute both of these files and start the process by clicking Install. If you have Visual Studio already installed, the setup will offer to either Repair or Uninstall it. Choose Repair and close the window once finished.
4. In case it turns out some Visual C++ Redistributables are not installed, the setup will offer to do it.
5. Follow on-screen instructions and finish the installation.

2. Check integrity of the system files

We recommend you also check whether all system files are in place using in-built scanning utilities – both SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management), which will detect and restore absent components, if any.

Using SFC

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching loop next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Once the console is opened, type the sfc /scannow command and click Enter.
4. When the fixing process is done, restart your computer.

Using DISM

1. Open Command Prompt as we did in the previous step.
2. Copy and paste this command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.
3. Click Enter and wait until Windows ends the scanning and fixing.
4. Once done, restart your PC and try to open the problematic program again.

After performing both of these scans, attempt to boot the application you struggled with again. If this does not work, get down to the other solutions presented below.

3. Re-register DLL files manually

Windows has a feature allowing its users to reinstall many components right in the system – without referring to third-party resources. This is what can be done down here. Instead of re-registering the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file separately, let’s do it with all so to make sure nothing is missing. Follow these guidelines below:

1. Open Command Prompt like we did in the previous step.
2. Copy-paste this command for %1 in (*.dll) do regsvr32 /s %1 and press Enter.
3. The process may take a couple of seconds. Once done, restart your PC and check whether you can finally open the problematic application.

4. Download api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll manually

Try this if reinstalling Visual C++ did not give the fruits we expected it to. api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is a separate DLL file stored inside of your system. The error says Windows could not locate this file meaning it is likely to be out of its native dedicated location. To fill the gap and restore this file back to its regular slot, we can search and download it manually from the web. Open this page and follow instructions written on it. They will guide you towards a successful replacement of the api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll file to remove the error.

5. Install fresh system updates

Sometimes it is also wise to give your system an update. Unless you did manipulations with the local file system yourself, it is possible that api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll disappeared due to a bug in the OS. Microsoft might also deliver updates for various Visual Studio versions, so it is worth updating your system. Check if there are any pending in Windows Update Center by following this:

1. Right-click on Start menu located at the bottom desktop panel and choose Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update on the left pane and Check for updates.
3. Windows will scan for available updates and offer to install them if found.
4. Install the found updates and restart your system.

6. Reinstall the problematic application

You can also try to reinstall the application you are unable to open. Maybe you restored the file successfully, but it is the application itself that got bugged. Therefore, try to install it again. Note that it is recommended to install software only from official and trusted resources to avoid getting bugs or malware delivered by it.

1. Left-click on the magnifying glass right next to Start menu and search for Control Panel.
2. Open it up and choose Uninstall a program under Programs.
3. Select the program dealing with the error and click Uninstall.
4. Finally, install it again and check if the error is fixed.

Summary

We hope you are no longer dawned by the error and can now use your software without any error messages. If there is anything else you think our website could help you with, feel free to search up the problem using keywords for the instructions. We release a bundle of articles each time with new and old problems that still target users.