VCRUNTIME140.dll / MSVCP140.dll is missing - fix it the right way

These two files - plus their siblings VCRUNTIME140_1.dll and MSVCP140_1.dll - belong to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, a runtime that thousands of programs share. When it is missing or damaged, every program built on it fails with the same scary message. The safe fix reinstalls the runtime - never the single DLL.

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Quick answer

Download the latest Visual C++ Redistributable from Microsoft's official page (search "Visual C++ Redistributable latest supported downloads" - the page lives on learn.microsoft.com), install both vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe, and restart the PC. This one runtime covers Visual Studio 2015-2022 and fixes VCRUNTIME140.dll, VCRUNTIME140_1.dll and MSVCP140.dll errors in one go.

Symptoms - how this problem looks

"The program can't start because VCRUNTIME140.dll was not found"

The same message names MSVCP140.dll or VCRUNTIME140_1.dll

The error appears when launching a game or app that worked before

It started after "cleaning" the PC or removing programs

Several unrelated programs show the same DLL error

Reinstalling the failing program did not help

Why it happens

The redistributable is missing

The app expected the shared runtime to be on the PC, but it was never installed - typical on a fresh Windows or after a big cleanup.

The runtime got damaged

A failed update, disk error or overzealous cleanup tool corrupted the runtime files that many programs share.

32-bit vs 64-bit mismatch

A 32-bit program needs the x86 runtime even on 64-bit Windows - if only x64 is installed, the error names the same DLL.

An uninstaller took it along

Removing one program sometimes removes the shared runtime other programs still need.

The fixes, in order

1. Install the official Visual C++ Redistributable (fixes most cases)

Search the web for "Visual C++ Redistributable latest supported downloads" and open the result on learn.microsoft.com - Microsoft's official download page.
Download both installers: vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe.
Run both (if one says "already installed", choose Repair).
Restart the PC and launch the failing program.

2. Repair the runtime that is already installed

Open Settings, then Apps, then Installed apps.
Search for "Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable" - you will usually see an x64 and an x86 entry.
Select each, press Modify, then Repair.
Restart and test.

3. Reinstall the failing program

If only one program shows the error, its own files may be damaged: uninstall it in Settings, then Apps.
Download a fresh installer from the developer's official site and reinstall - most installers put the runtime they need back as part of setup.
For Steam games: right-click the game, Properties, Installed Files, then "Verify integrity of game files" does the same job.

4. Repair Windows' own copies

Right-click Start, open Terminal (Admin), and run sfc /scannow.
If problems persist, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, then SFC again, then restart.

Do not do this: Never download VCRUNTIME140.dll or MSVCP140.dll as a single file from a "DLL download" site. Those files are unverified, often mismatched to your system - and a well-known malware channel. The official runtime installer is free and takes two minutes.

Cheat sheet - which download fixes which DLL

The error names	What it belongs to	The fix
vcruntime140.dll, vcruntime140_1.dll, msvcp140.dll, msvcp140_1.dll	Visual C++ 2015-2022 runtime	vc_redist x64 + x86 (method 1)
msvcr120.dll, msvcp120.dll	Visual C++ 2013 runtime	Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable from microsoft.com
msvcr110.dll, msvcp110.dll	Visual C++ 2012 runtime	Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable from microsoft.com
msvcr100.dll, msvcp100.dll	Visual C++ 2010 runtime	Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable from microsoft.com
d3dx9_43.dll, xinput1_3.dll, d3dcompiler_43.dll	Legacy DirectX components	See the game DLL errors guide

Frequently asked questions

Why do both x64 and x86 need to be installed on 64-bit Windows?

Because programs come in both flavors: a 32-bit program loads the x86 runtime even on 64-bit Windows. Installing both takes a minute and covers everything.

I installed the redistributable but the error is still there. What next?

Run Repair on both entries (method 2), then reinstall the failing program (method 3) - its own copy of the DLL may be damaged. If several programs fail, finish with SFC and DISM (method 4).

Is it ever OK to download just the DLL file?

No. A single DLL from a random site may be the wrong version, breaks other programs, and is a classic malware disguise. The official runtime installer replaces every related DLL correctly and is signed by Microsoft.