Pages How to Fix the “VCRUNTIME140.dll Is Missing” Error on Windows 10

Sometimes when trying to launch an application, you may be getting the error message “The program can’t start because VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing from your computer.” This can show up in multiple apps, starting from Skype to HP 3D DriveGuard (accelerometerst.exe).

Example of “The program can’t start because VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.”

Luckily, there are many easy methods to fix this issue. In this article, we’ll be going over the easiest and most effective ways to ensure you have the VCRUNTIME140.dll on your computer. Say goodbye to annoying system errors and continue using your favorite apps within minutes!

Common causes of the “VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing” error

Just like most of Windows 10’s other issues, this one has multiple possible causes. This is due to the system being quite large and complex — one error can lead to another.

Tip: All of the methods in this article can be performed by anybody, as our guides are easy to follow and don’t require any previous Windows 10 experience. If you know anyone who’s experiencing issues with their system, don’t forget to recommend us!

We were able to trace down and compile the most common causes for the “VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing” error using the active and helpful user base of Windows 10.

• The VCRUNTIME140.dll file has been deleted or corrupted. The main cause of this error is the fact that the crucial .dll file needed by an application is deleted. Without that file, the apps you’re trying to use are unable to start, so you need to restore it or re-download it.
• Known error with Adobe’s Creative Cloud. Adobe has addressed an issue with Creative Cloud. The issue started after they migrated from Microsoft runtimes to Visual C ++.
• Visual Studio 2015 files are damaged or missing. The VCRUNTIME140.dll file is related to Visual Studio 2015. It may be missing from your computer or has been damaged by an app, your system, or malware.
• Your system is infected with malware. It’s possible that your system has been infected with a virus or malware. As a result, VCRUNTIME140.dll may have gotten corrupted or damaged.
• Corrupted system files. System files are often vulnerable to errors and corruption, especially after resetting Windows 10 or dealing with a malicious application.

Keep in mind that these aren’t all of the causes, you might be experiencing a unique issue. However, our methods in the next section will surely help you fix this error with ease.

Now that we’ve taken a look at some possible causes, it’s time to start troubleshooting. We have several methods to try when it comes to this troublesome error message, all easy and simple to execute.

Note: You will be required to use an administrator account to be able to perform all of the steps described below. Don’t have access to an administrator account? Watch Global IT Resolution’s video titled “How to Create a New Administrator User Account in Windows 10.

Follow our guides and eliminate this error to use all of your applications without obstacles!

How to Fix VCRUNTIME140.dll is Missing Error on Windows 10?

 Let's discuss these methods in detail!

Method 1: Re-register the VCRUNTIME140.dll file

You can use the Command Prompt to re-register the missing .dll file, which may be able to fix your issue. To do this, simply follow our steps below and execute the commands in the proper way.

1. Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run utility. Here, type “cmd” into the input field. When done, press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys to launch the Command Prompt with administrator permissions.
   
2. If prompted, allow the Command Prompt to make changes on your device by pressing the “Yes” button.
3. First, you need to un-register the file. You can do this by typing in or copy-pasting the next command, then pressing the Enter key: regsvr32 /u VCRUNTIME140.dll
4. Afterward, you’ll need to re-register the file. This can be done with the following command — make sure to press Enter after you input it: regsvr32 VCRUNTIME140.dll
5. Close the Command Prompt window and attempt running the problematic application again.

Method 2: Run the System File Checker (SFC scan)

The System File Checker is a tool available in Windows 10 by default. It’s also called an “SFC scan,” and it’s your quickest way to automatically fix corrupted system files and other issues.

Here’s how to run it.

1. Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to launch the Run utility. Type in “cmd” and  press Ctrl + Shift + Enter. This is going to open the Command Prompt with administrative permissions.
   
2. If prompted, make sure to allow the Command Prompt to make changes on your device. This means that you might need an administrator account.
3. Type in the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
   
4. Wait for the System File Checker to finish scanning your computer. If it finds any errors, you’ll be able to fix them automatically through the SFC command itself, which may also fix related errors.

Method 3: Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015

Many professionals recommend to simply reinstall the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015 when having problems with .dll files related to it. This can be done by downloading the appropriate files directly from Microsoft.

1. Click here to navigate to the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable download page. Here, simply select your language and click the “Download” button.
   
2. You’ll see two available downloads:
1. If you have a 64-bit system, select vc_redist.x64.exe.
2. If you have a 32-bit system, select vc_redist.x86.exe.
3. Click on the “Next” button after selecting the appropriate file. Wait for it to download — this may take a longer time depending on your connection.
   
4. Open the file you just downloaded. This will take you to the installer wizard. The first thing you need to do is check the “I agree to the license terms and conditions” option, then click the “Install” button.
   
5. Wait for the installation process to complete. You may be required to restart your computer, then test whether or not the application(s) you had issues with work.

Method 4: Download and manually replace the missing VCRUNTIME140.dll file

If you only have this error with specific applications, you can try to manually download and place the missing .dll file into the application directory. This can be done quite simply, but it’ll only fix the error for one application as opposed to a system-wide solution.

1. Click here to download the VCRUNTIME140.dll file from DLL-Files. Choose either the 64-bit or 32-bit version depending on your system.
   
2. You’ll download a .zip file, which can be opened with applications such as WinRAR and 7zip. Open the file and drag “vcruntime140.dll” into the install directory of the problematic application.
   
3. If prompted, choose to replace the original file in the destination folder.
4. Check if you can run the problematic application after manually replacing the VCRUNTIME140.dll file. If yes, you can follow these steps for every application that has issues with the same .dll file missing.

Method 5: Update Windows 10 to the latest release

Some users report that simply updating to the newest version release of Windows 10 made any present VCRUNTIME140.dll errors go away. As a bonus, you might even get access to new and exciting features, improved security, and more optimization.

1. Open the Settings application using the Start menu or the Windows + I keyboard shortcut.
   
2. Click on “Update & Security.”
   
3. In the Windows Update tab, click on the “Check for updates” button.
   
4. If a new update is found, click on the “Install” button.
5. After your system successfully installs the newest Windows 10 update, you might be able to use the application that was having VCRUNTIME140.dll errors.

Method 6: Re-install the application you're trying to run

If all else fails, you can attempt to uninstall and reinstall the application which fails to run due to the .dll error. This can be done easily.

1. Open the Settings application using the Start menu or the Windows + I keyboard shortcut.
   
2. Click on the “Apps” tile.
   
3. Locate the application you’re having issues with and click on it once to expand your options. Choose the “Uninstall” option and follow the on-screen instructions.
   
4. Re-download the software and install it from the official website. You may be able to run it after the reinstallation process completes.

Final Thoughts 

We hope that by following our guides, you were able to solve the “VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing” error on Windows 10. You should be able to use your favorite applications without the error preventing you from launching them every time.

One more thing

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