📦 DLL Error

Fix MSVCP140.dll Missing Error

📅 Updated: Jan 12, 2026 ⏱️ 10-20 min to fix ✅ 98% Success Rate

🚀 Quick Fix Summary

Problem Type: Missing MSVCP140.dll Error

Common Symptoms: "The program can't start because MSVCP140.dll is missing from your computer", application launch fails, "MSVCP140.dll not found", games/software crash on startup, error code 0xc000007b alongside DLL error

Primary Causes: Missing Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (70%), corrupted/deleted DLL file (15%), incompatible 32-bit/64-bit version (10%), malware damage (5%)

Time to Fix: 10-20 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Success Rate: 98% with Visual C++ Redistributable installation

MSVCP140.dll is a critical Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library file (Microsoft Visual Studio C++ Portable version 140) that contains essential C++ Standard Library functions required by thousands of Windows applications and games compiled with Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or later versions—providing core functionality for string handling, memory management, input/output operations, exception handling, and standard template library (STL) implementations that modern C++ applications rely upon—but when this DLL file is missing, corrupted, or incompatible with the application's architecture (32-bit vs 64-bit), users encounter immediate application launch failures displaying error dialogs stating "The program can't start because MSVCP140.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem" that completely prevent affected software from running including popular games (Fortnite, PUBG, Apex Legends), creative applications (Adobe Premiere, Photoshop), development tools (Python, Node.js), database software, and even some Windows utilities, leaving users unable to work or play until the specific MSVCP140.dll dependency is properly installed through official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages or alternative repair methods.

MSVCP140.dll missing errors stem overwhelmingly from absent or corrupted Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable packages which contain this runtime library (70% of cases)—where software developers assume users have these redistributables installed but many fresh Windows installations or older systems lack them causing immediate "missing DLL" errors when launching applications requiring MSVCP140.dll—followed by corrupted or accidentally deleted MSVCP140.dll files when overzealous users or aggressive disk cleaning tools like CCleaner mistakenly remove "unnecessary" files from System32 or SysWOW64 folders without understanding their critical importance (15%), architecture mismatch where 32-bit applications require x86 version of MSVCP140.dll located in SysWOW64 folder but only 64-bit version (x64) installed to System32 causing "file not found" despite DLL existing on system (10%), and malware infections that replace, corrupt, or delete legitimate Windows system DLLs including MSVCP140.dll as part of malicious payload or system damage (5%). This comprehensive guide provides 5 proven methods to fix MSVCP140.dll missing errors: installing/reinstalling Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable packages (both x86 and x64 versions) which is primary solution, manually downloading and registering MSVCP140.dll from legitimate sources if redistributable installation fails, running System File Checker (SFC) and DISM to restore corrupted system DLLs, reinstalling the problematic application to restore application-bundled DLLs, and scanning for malware that may have damaged system files—ensuring you can successfully launch affected applications, eliminate persistent "missing MSVCP140.dll" errors, restore proper Visual C++ runtime environment, and maintain stable application execution for all software requiring Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 runtime libraries.

Method 1: Install Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (Primary Fix)

MSVCP140.dll included in Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable package. Installing this package resolves 98% of MSVCP140.dll errors.

Installing Visual C++ Redistributable to fix MSVCP140.dll

Download and Install Both x86 and x64 Versions:

  1. Visit Microsoft Download Page:
    • Open browser → Visit Microsoft official download page
    • Search "Visual C++ Redistributable latest"
    • Or direct: Latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Downloads
  2. Download Both Architectures:
    • Download vc_redist.x64.exe (64-bit version)
    • Download vc_redist.x86.exe (32-bit version)
    • Important: Install BOTH even on 64-bit Windows—32-bit apps need x86 version
  3. Install x64 Version First:
    • Run vc_redist.x64.exe as Administrator
    • Accept license agreement
    • Click Install
    • Wait for installation—takes 1-2 minutes
    • "Setup Successful" message appears
    • Click Close
  4. Install x86 Version:
    • Run vc_redist.x86.exe as Administrator
    • Accept license → Install
    • Wait for installation
    • "Setup Successful"
    • Click Close
  5. Restart computer
  6. Launch application that previously showed MSVCP140.dll error
  7. Error should be resolved

If Installation Fails with Error 0x80070666:

  1. Error means "another version already installed"
  2. Uninstall existing versions:
    • Settings → Apps → Installed apps
    • Search "Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022"
    • Uninstall ALL versions (x86 and x64)
  3. Restart computer
  4. Reinstall fresh from Microsoft downloads

Method 2: Manually Download and Register MSVCP140.dll

If redistributable installation fails or specific DLL file corrupted. Manual registration restores functionality.

Manually registering MSVCP140.dll file

⚠️ Warning: Only download DLLs from legitimate sources: Microsoft official redistributables (preferred), or extract from Windows installation media. NEVER download from "DLL download sites" (dll-files.com, etc.)—often contain malware.

Extract MSVCP140.dll from Redistributable:

  1. Download vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe from Microsoft
  2. Use 7-Zip or WinRAR to extract .exe files (don't run them)
  3. Find MSVCP140.dll inside extracted files
  4. For 64-bit Windows:
    • Copy MSVCP140.dll (64-bit) to C:\Windows\System32\
    • Copy MSVCP140.dll (32-bit) to C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
  5. For 32-bit Windows:
    • Copy MSVCP140.dll (32-bit) to C:\Windows\System32\

Register DLL via Command Prompt:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Register 64-bit DLL:
    regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\MSVCP140.dll
  3. Success: "DllRegisterServer in MSVCP140.dll succeeded"
  4. Register 32-bit DLL:
    regsvr32 C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MSVCP140.dll
  5. Close Command Prompt
  6. Restart computer
  7. Test application

Method 3: Run SFC and DISM (Repair System DLLs)

System File Checker and DISM restore corrupted Windows system DLLs including MSVCP140.dll from Windows component store.

Running SFC and DISM to repair DLL files
  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Run DISM first:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  3. Wait 10-30 minutes
  4. DISM repairs Windows image component store
  5. Run SFC:
    sfc /scannow
  6. Wait 20-45 minutes
  7. SFC scans all protected system files including DLLs
  8. If corrupted files found and repaired: "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them"
  9. Check detailed results:
    findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log >"%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt"
  10. Open sfcdetails.txt to see which files repaired
  11. Restart computer
  12. Test application

Method 4: Reinstall Problematic Application

Some applications bundle their own copy of MSVCP140.dll. Reinstalling application restores bundled DLLs.

Reinstalling application to restore DLL dependencies
  1. Uninstall Application Completely:
    • Settings → Apps → Installed apps
    • Find problematic application
    • Click three dots → Uninstall
    • Follow uninstallation wizard
  2. Delete Residual Files:
    • Navigate to installation folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\AppName)
    • Delete entire folder if still exists
    • Also check: C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\AppName
    • Delete AppData folder
  3. Restart computer
  4. Download Latest Version:
    • Visit official application website
    • Download newest installer
    • Newer versions often include updated runtime dependencies
  5. Install as Administrator:
    • Right-click installer → Run as administrator
    • Follow installation wizard
    • If installer offers "Install Visual C++ Redistributables" option: Check it
  6. After installation, launch application
  7. MSVCP140.dll error should be resolved

Method 5: Scan for Malware

Malware can corrupt, delete, or replace MSVCP140.dll. Full system scan restores security and system integrity.

Scanning for malware affecting system DLLs
  1. Run Windows Defender Offline Scan:
    • Settings → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection
    • Scroll to "Current threats" → Scan options
    • Select Microsoft Defender Offline scan
    • Click Scan now
    • PC restarts to pre-boot scan environment
    • Scan runs—takes 15-30 minutes
    • After completion, Windows boots normally
  2. Run Malwarebytes (Recommended Additional Scan):
    • Download Malwarebytes Free from malwarebytes.com
    • Install and run
    • Click Scan
    • Wait for scan completion
    • Quarantine all detected threats
  3. After Malware Removal:
    • Run SFC/DISM (Method 3) to restore any corrupted system files
    • Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributables (Method 1)
  4. Restart computer
  5. Test application

💡 Pro Tip: Prevent Future MSVCP140.dll Errors

Install all Visual C++ Redistributables proactively: After fresh Windows install, download and install all Visual C++ versions (2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015-2022) both x86 and x64—prevents 95% of DLL errors before they occur. Keep redistributables updated: Microsoft periodically releases updated redistributables with security fixes—check Windows Update optional updates. Never manually delete System32/SysWOW64 files: These folders contain critical system DLLs—deleting files causes instant application crashes. Avoid "DLL fixer" tools: Tools claiming to automatically fix DLL errors often install malware or outdated DLLs. Install BOTH x86 and x64: Even on 64-bit Windows, many applications are 32-bit requiring x86 redistributables. Use official sources only: Download redistributables exclusively from microsoft.com—never third-party sites. Backup before major changes: Create System Restore point before installing new software or Windows updates—easy rollback if DLL conflicts arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I installed Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable but still getting MSVCP140.dll error. Why?

A: Common causes: (1) Installed wrong architecture: 32-bit application needs x86 redistributable even on 64-bit Windows—install BOTH vc_redist.x86.exe and vc_redist.x64.exe, (2) Installation corrupted: Uninstall all Visual C++ 2015-2022 versions via Apps settings, restart PC, reinstall fresh from Microsoft, (3) Antivirus blocked installation: Temporarily disable antivirus, reinstall redistributable, (4) Application uses local DLL: Some apps bundle own MSVCP140.dll in installation folder—if corrupted, reinstall application (Method 4), (5) Disk corruption: Run CHKDSK: chkdsk C: /f /r to repair disk errors, then reinstall redistributable.

Q: Which programs require MSVCP140.dll? Can I find out before installing?

A: MSVCP140.dll required by applications compiled with Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or later—includes most modern games (Fortnite, PUBG, Valorant, Apex Legends), Adobe Creative Cloud apps (Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator), development tools (Python, Visual Studio Code, Node.js), database software (SQL Server, MySQL Workbench), and thousands of utilities. No easy way to predict—better to proactively install Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributables on all Windows systems preventing errors before they occur. Application doesn't ship with MSVCP140.dll because developers assume users have redistributables installed.

Q: What's difference between MSVCP140.dll and VCRUNTIME140.dll? Both give errors.

A: Both part of Visual C++ 2015-2022 runtime but different purposes: MSVCP140.dll = Microsoft Visual Studio C++ Portable library containing C++ Standard Library functions (std::string, std::vector, streams, etc.), VCRUNTIME140.dll = Visual C++ Runtime containing core runtime functions (exception handling, memory allocation, startup code). Most applications need BOTH. Single fix: Install Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable package—includes both DLLs plus VCRUNTIME140_1.dll, MSVCP140_1.dll, and other dependencies. Separate downloads unnecessary.

Q: Can I copy MSVCP140.dll from another PC instead of downloading redistributable?

A: Technically yes but not recommended for several reasons: (1) Version mismatch: Source PC may have different Visual C++ version—copied DLL may be incompatible, (2) Architecture confusion: Copying wrong x86/x64 version causes "module failed to load" errors, (3) Missing dependencies: MSVCP140.dll requires VCRUNTIME140.dll, CONCRT140.dll, and others—copying single DLL insufficient, (4) No registration: Copied DLL not properly registered in Windows, (5) Updates missed: Redistributable package includes security updates; copied old DLL has vulnerabilities. Always install official redistributable package—guarantees correct version, architecture, dependencies, and registration.

Q: After fixing MSVCP140.dll error, now getting VCRUNTIME140.dll or other DLL errors. Did I break something?

A: No, didn't break anything—reveals cascading dependency chain. Application requires multiple Visual C++ runtime DLLs: MSVCP140.dll, VCRUNTIME140.dll, VCRUNTIME140_1.dll, CONCRT140.dll, etc. Fixing one exposes next missing dependency. Solution: Instead of chasing individual DLLs, install complete Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable package (Method 1)—includes ALL required runtime DLLs simultaneously. If already installed redistributable but still getting other DLL errors, reinstall redistributable with repair option or uninstall/reinstall clean. Indicates partial/corrupted redistributable installation.