How to fix RunDLL error in Windows 10

What is RunDLL error

On the initial basis, RunDLL (also RunDLL32.exe) is an integral file of Dynamic Link Library modules that function in correlation with the Windows Registry. The proper operation of all DLL files is meant to ensure faster response speed and memory management while using various apps and Windows processes. If one of such files has been deleted, is missing, or Windows is simply unable to verify its location, the system will prompt a box alert with a relevant message about the error that happened. DLL files stated in error messages can vary vastly, depending on which one of them failed to undergo successful verification by Windows. We have already had multiple guides dedicated to some popular RunDLL errors with files like MSVCP110.dll, D3D12.dll, VCRUNTIME140.dll, CONCRT140.dll, MSVCR110.dll, and API-MS-WIN-CRT-RUNTIME-l1-1-0.dll as well. As a rule, users who receive RunDLL errors can encounter messages with slightly different content and also a specified directory where the file could not be found. Here are some examples of what it may look like:

RunDLL errors tend to occur for various reasons. It can be because of an incorrectly deleted DLL file, accidental deletion of a shared DLL file at the time an application was being uninstalled (incomplete software removal), no longer valid or incorrect DLL entries inside Windows Registry, missing DLL files and their corruption as well. While solutions presented in this guide are made on the basis of Windows 10, they can also be used for other Windows versions as well. Try each one of them until the error is finally resolved.

RunDLL error in Windows 10 (sample 1)

RunDLL error in Windows 10 (sample 2)

1. Install fresh system updates

As a kickstarter in our guide, you should make sure all available system updates are installed. It is possible that new updates will resolve the issue with a problematic DLL file by reloading it again or correcting its entries in Windows Registry. Go to Windows Update Center to check if there are any updates for installation 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.

2. Check integrity of the system files

A highly-effective method that may be able to fix the problem with your DLL file is to use in-built scanning utilities like SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management). They are meant to detect and restore absent components if any are found during the scan. Make sure to use both utilities as they may have a different impact on solving the problem. Here is how:

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 do the same thing that caused the RunDLL error. If this does not work, move down to the other solutions presented below.

3. Startup Repair to restore the corrupted file

Here are quick steps you can use to fast-repair the DLL file that could be corrupted. Windows allows its users to boot into recovery options and select a feature designed to restore such files.

1. Similarly to above, type Recovery options into the search box next to Start Menu.
2. Under Advanced Startup, choose Restart now.
3. After this, your system will reboot and show a blue screen with different options on it.
4. Select Troubleshooting and navigate to Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Among the list of all options, choose Enable debugging and let your system boot itself back.

4. Clean up the Temp folder

It can also be the case that temporary files accumulated throughout your system usage are causing some conflicts with the RunDLL file network. This can be resolved by simply deleting all contents inside of the C:\Users\*Your Username*\AppData\Local\Temp directory. Don’t worry, it is totally safe to do it.

1. Press Windows Key + R buttons together and copy-paste this C:\Users\*Your Username*\AppData\Local\Temp. Replace Your Username with your username and press Enter.
2. Once the folder is opened, select and delete all the files located inside.

This is it with this method – fast and easy, just as we said.

5. Clear startup entries in Windows Registry

As we already mentioned in the introduction part of this article, sometimes DLL files are not deleted completely leaving unnecessary registry keys and scheduled tasks that lead to RunDLL errors. This method is helpful if the error occurs each time you boot up your system rather than when you open some app.

1. Press Windows Key + R buttons together and copy-paste regedit to open Registry Editor.
2. Once inside, press Ctrl + F to open the search box and write the name of the DLL file that you see in the error message and press Find Next. For instance, if it was MSVCP110.dll writen in the message, you should write it into the field.
3. Once all the DLL-associated entries are found, remove them one-by-one by right-clicking on each and choosing Delete.

After this part is done, we should go to Task Scheduler and also delete some entries there.

1. Press Windows Key + R again and copy-paste taskschd.msc.
2. Select Task Scheduler Library on the left pane and scroll down the list of appeared entries to see if you can find anything that matches the name of the problematic DLL file.
3. If anything has been found, right-click on it and choose Disable afterwards.
4. Then close the window and check if these manipulations have fixed the error.

6. Re-register DLL files manually

Windows has a feature allowing its users to reinstall many components without third-party methods using Command Prompt. This is what we are planning to do in this step. It should be helpful when a DLL file is missing or corrupted as well. Instead of re-registering one specific file separately, let’s do it with all so to make sure nothing is abscent. Follow these guidelines below:

1. Open Command Prompt like we did in the previous steps.
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.

7. Download DLL files manually

It is also possible to search for the file that is missing from this page and inject it into the corresponding folder. There are detailed instructions written on it, so you can use them to successfully replace the DLL file and remove the error.

8. Scan your system for malware

Sometimes people may be unaware of accident malware or unwanted programs that could sneak into the system. Malware is notoriously known to cause various clutter inside of a system. This is why it is worth giving your PC a full-blown scan. You can use either in-built Windows Defender or install advanced anti-malware software that will combat threats that Windows could miss. Also, many antiviruses can fix problems with registry entries that could be triggering the RunDLL error. We recommend you to use an antivirus developed by Malwarebytes – a trusted and talented group of experts constantly maintaining their software to combat both minor and global threats. It is now available for Windows 11 as well. You can download it now using the link below and try a 14-day trial of the ultimate antimalware experience for free.

Malwarebytes main window

Malwarebytes settings

Malwarebytes scan results

9. Use System Restore Point

In case nothing works out and trying to find the right solution results in constant failure, System Restore may help you get out of this trouble. Unless you installed Windows just now, there should be a backup point stored by the system when DLL problems were out of their current existence. Therefore, let’s get your system back to its latest backup.

1. Open Control Panel as we did in the steps above.
2. Set View by to Large icons and choose Recovery. You can also find it using the search box.
3. Click Open System Restore and select Next.
4. Choose a restore point you want to you from the list and click Scan for affected programs to see what programs will be deleted upon restoration. If there are no Restore points visible, try to choose Show more restore points.
5. Click Next again and Finish to finalize the process and let Windows restore your system from the selected backup.

Summary

After performing the majority of methods in our guide, you should already be satisfied with the results and no longer face the same error. We hope this is exactly the case and that you managed to find the solution that worked things out for you. If you are looking for any other error solutions or malware removal guidelines, feel free to look them up on our website to get the relevant article for it. Chances are there will be one already available for reading.