If you’re seeing the “MSVCP140.dll was not found” error when trying to open an app or game, you’re not alone.

This is one of the most common DLL errors on Windows 10, and it’s usually not as scary as it looks.

The error typically pops up when you try to launch:

  • Games
  • Adobe software
  • Video editing tools
  • Certain productivity apps

Most people panic and start downloading random DLL files from sketchy websites.

Don’t do that.

Here are the 5 fixes that actually work in 2026, ranked from easiest to most effective.

Fix 1 - Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (The Real Fix)

This is the solution that works 90% of the time.

MSVCP140.dll is part of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package. When this package is missing, outdated, or corrupted, apps can’t find the DLL file they need.

Steps

  1. Go to the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable download page

  2. Download the x64 version (most modern PCs need this)

  3. Run the installer

  4. Click Install and wait for it to complete

  5. Restart your computer

After restart, try opening the app that was giving you the error.

Why this works

The redistributable package contains all the necessary DLL files that Windows applications need to run. Installing it replaces missing or corrupted files with fresh, official copies from Microsoft.

If you’re on 32-bit Windows

Download the x86 version instead. Most people don’t need this anymore, but if you’re on an older machine, this might be the one.

Fix 2 - Run Windows Update

Sometimes Windows itself is missing important system files that the redistributable needs.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings

  2. Go to Update & Security

  3. Click Check for updates

  4. Install all available updates

  5. Restart your computer

Windows Update often includes fixes for system components and runtime libraries that can resolve DLL issues automatically.

Fix 3 - Reinstall the Problematic App

If the error only happens with one specific app, the app’s installation might be corrupted.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + X and choose Apps and Features (or Installed Apps in newer Windows)

  2. Find the app that’s showing the error

  3. Click it and select Uninstall

  4. Download the latest version of the app from the official website

  5. Reinstall it fresh

This gives the app a clean installation with all the necessary files properly registered.

Fix 4 - Run System File Checker (SFC)

Windows has a built-in tool that can repair corrupted system files, including DLLs.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + X and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)

  2. Type this command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

  1. Wait for the scan to complete (this can take 10-20 minutes)

  2. If it finds corrupted files, it will repair them automatically

  3. Restart your computer

This tool checks all Windows system files and replaces corrupted ones with cached clean copies.

Fix 5 - Perform a Clean Boot (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, something on your system might be interfering with the redistributable.

Steps

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run

  2. Type msconfig and press Enter

  3. Go to the Services tab

  4. Check Hide all Microsoft services

  5. Click Disable all

  6. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager

  7. Disable all startup items

  8. Restart your computer

  9. Try installing the Visual C++ Redistributable again

  10. After it works, go back and re-enable services one by one to find the culprit

This helps identify if a third-party program was blocking the installation.

What NOT To Do

Don’t download DLL files from random websites

I see this constantly. People search for “MSVCP140.dll download” and grab it from some DLL archive site.

This is dangerous.

  • The file might be infected with malware
  • It might be the wrong version
  • It might not even be a real DLL file
  • You’re bypassing Windows security

Always get DLL files from official sources or through proper installers.

Don’t copy-paste DLL files from another computer

Even if you have another PC that works fine, copying DLL files manually usually doesn’t fix the root cause.

The file might be registered differently, or there might be dependencies missing.

Use the proper installation methods instead.

Why This Error Happens

The MSVCP140.dll error usually occurs because:

  • Visual C++ Redistributable is missing - Most common cause
  • The redistributable is outdated - Old version doesn’t support newer apps
  • Windows update broke something - Rare but happens
  • App installation was incomplete - Corrupted files
  • Malware or antivirus interference - Sometimes security tools block DLL files

It’s almost never because the file was “deleted” by accident. Windows protects these system files pretty well.

When You Need Professional Help

If you’ve tried all 5 fixes and the error persists, it might be something deeper:

  • Hard drive corruption - Run chkdsk to check your disk
  • Windows system corruption - You might need a Windows repair install
  • Malware infection - Run a full scan with Windows Security

These are edge cases though. For most people, Fix 1 (installing the redistributable) solves the problem immediately.

Final Thoughts

The MSVCP140.dll not found error looks intimidating, but it’s usually a simple fix.

Start with Fix 1 - installing the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. That alone solves the problem for the vast majority of people.

If that doesn’t work, move through the other fixes in order. They’re all safe, official methods that don’t involve downloading sketchy files from the internet.

The key is to use Microsoft’s official tools and installers rather than trying to manually place DLL files. Windows handles these dependencies better when you let it do the work properly.

Quick FAQ

Is MSVCP140.dll a virus?

No, it’s a legitimate Microsoft file. If your antivirus flags it, it’s likely a false positive or you downloaded it from a bad source.

Do I need all Visual C++ versions?

Yes, different apps need different versions. Having multiple versions installed is normal and doesn’t cause problems.

Can I just delete the error message?

No, the app won’t run without this file. You need to fix the underlying issue, not ignore it.

Why did this happen suddenly?

Usually because you installed a new app that needs a newer version of the redistributable, or a Windows update changed something. It’s rarely random.