How to Fix: “MSVCP140.dll is missing”

Quick Fix

Download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable directly from Microsoft’s official site, then restart your PC.

1. Go to Microsoft’s official Visual C++ Redistributable downloads page (search “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable latest supported downloads”).
2. Download both the x64 and x86 versions (vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe), even on a 64-bit PC.
3. Run each installer, then restart your computer and relaunch the program.

Step-by-Step Guide

What This Error Means

MSVCP140.dll is missing is a Windows-specific error. The MSVCP140.dll is Missing error indicates that the application you’re trying to run requires the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015-2022, which includes the MSVCP140.dll file. It typically shows up as one of two messages: “The program can’t start because MSVCP140.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem” or “The code execution cannot proceed because MSVCP140.dll was not found.”

MSVCP140.dll is a Dynamic Link Library file that provides ‘execution’ instructions to certain applications, and it’s part of the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 which handles run-time components needed to run C++ applications. It’s a core system DLL used by system programs, games, and other software that rely on Microsoft Visual C++, and when it’s missing or damaged, the program you’re trying to use won’t function properly or won’t open at all. This error is Windows-only and commonly affects games launched from Steam or Epic Games, Adobe apps, Autodesk products, and other C++-based software.

Step-by-Step Fixes (Windows)

1. Reinstall the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (most effective fix). Go to Microsoft’s website to download the latest Visual C++ Redistributable, and click the link for both x86 and x64 versions of VCRedist to download the setup files. Double-click to open the “vc_redist.x64.exe” and “vc_redist.x86.exe” files and install them, since some applications and games potentially require both x86 and x64 versions installed. Restart your PC afterward and try opening the program again.
2. If it’s already installed, repair it instead of reinstalling. Go to “Programs and Features”, find the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, and select “Repair”. If repair doesn’t fix it, uninstall it completely and reinstall fresh using the downloaded files.
3. Check if you need an older redistributable version. If you are still seeing the error, the app may require an older version of the Visual C++ Redistributable package — visit Microsoft’s download page and scroll down to find older versions, then download and install them as needed. Older or specialized software (especially older games or engineering/CAD tools) sometimes needs the 2013, 2012, or even 2010 redistributable rather than just the latest one.
4. Reinstall the specific program throwing the error. Many MSVCP140.dll errors suggest reinstalling the program because it will sometimes come with a copy of the file itself, and the initial installation may have been disrupted, causing the file to go missing in the first place. Uninstall via Settings > Apps, then reinstall from the original source (Steam, Epic, official installer, etc.).
5. Verify the file actually exists on your system. Check your system to see if a file named MSVCP140.dll is actually in the correct folders — 64-bit Windows users should check both C:WindowsSystem32 and C:WindowsSysWOW64.
6. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM to repair corrupted system files. Corrupted Windows system files can also cause this error. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: run “sfc /scannow” to fix corrupted Windows System Files. If SFC fails to run properly or cannot repair the files, run “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” to fix any remaining issues. Restart your PC after each tool finishes.
7. Run a Windows Update check. Make sure your Windows installation is fully updated, since some updates include necessary runtime components, then restart and retest the program.
8. Try a System Restore (if the error appeared suddenly). If the MSVCP140.dll error only just started happening, you can go back to a previous point in time using a Windows restore point, which will hopefully revert any system changes that are causing the error. Search “Create a restore point” in the Start menu, open System Restore, and choose a restore point from before the error began.
9. Scan for malware. A DLL can also go missing or become corrupted due to malware. This can occur if MSVCP140.dll has been misplaced, corrupted by malware, or deleted. Run a full scan with Windows Defender or your preferred antivirus before continuing further troubleshooting.

Important Warnings

Never download the individual .dll file from random “DLL download” websites. Always download redistributable packages directly from Microsoft’s official website — avoid downloading individual .dll files from unofficial sources, as they may be outdated, incompatible, or contain malware, and using official sources ensures the integrity and security of your system.

When to Seek Different Help

If you’ve installed both x86 and x64 Visual C++ Redistributables, repaired them, run SFC/DISM, and reinstalled the affected app but the error persists, the problem may be deeper than a simple missing file. If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to check the application’s documentation or contact the vendor for further assistance. This is especially true for:

1. Specific commercial software (Adobe, Autodesk, accounting software) — these vendors often have their own dedicated troubleshooting articles because their installers bundle specific redistributable versions.
2. Persistent system file corruption that SFC/DISM cannot fix — this may indicate a deeper Windows installation problem requiring an in-place repair install or clean reinstall of Windows.
3. Hardware or severe corruption issues — if DLL errors keep recurring across multiple unrelated programs even after repairs, it can point to a failing hard drive or严重 disk corruption, which is outside simple software troubleshooting and may need a hardware diagnostic.

Note: This error and all fixes above are specific to Windows (10 and 11, and it also affects older versions like Windows 7/8). It does not occur on macOS, Linux, or consoles, since MSVCP140.dll is a Windows-only Visual C++ runtime component.