Missing or Damaged DLL files

Category: Software

"When my uncle's PC is powered up he gets message CAN'T LOAD MSMGR32.DLL -- I have to click on it three times until the message no longer displays. Is there a way to keep the message from displaying, or do I need to reload the whole system?"

Replacing a Missing DLL or Other System Files

If Windows is whining about a missing or damaged file, you don't need to reload the system. That's a rather drastic measure, since you'd have to re-install all your software, as well as apply all the Windows Update security fixes. Even on a fast system with a high-speed Internet connection, that would take hours.

Instead, try the System File Checker, also known as SFC. Sometimes a hardware or software glitch will cause an important system file to be damaged and unusable. If you get a message about a problem with a DLL file, if you see the dreaded Blue Screen of Death , or if Windows seems to behave erratically, the System File Checker may restore your computer to its former glory.

The SFC utility will scan your system for damaged DLL files, and replace them with the original version. The correct version of the file will be copied from a cache folder on your hard drive, if possible. If the file cannot be copied from the cache, SFC will prompt you for the Windows installation CD.

To run the System File Checker, click Start, then Run, then enter this command:
SFC /SCANNOW

SFC may run for quite a while, so don't be alarmed if it grinds away for 30 minutes or more. Unfortunately, it does not produce a report of problems that it found and fixed. Note that if you are running Windows 2000, you should install Service Pack 4 (SP4) before running SFC, or it may overwrite some existing Windows 2000 hotfixes or security updates. When SFC finishes, reboot your computer and see if the error message is gone.

Dude, You Gotta Get a DLL

If SFC doesn't do the trick, or if you know for sure that you need just one specific DLL file, you can try DLL-File.com. You can search for the desired file, then download a ZIP containing your file and a README with instructions for installation.

Got any tricks of your own for fixing annoying Windows problems? Post your comments below.


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Posted by Bob Rankin on February 27, 2006 10:37 PM


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Related Keywords: Software   missing DLL   damaged DLL   SFC   scannow  

Most recent comments on "Missing or Damaged DLL files"

(See all 13 comments for this article.)

Posted by:
Linda
01 Mar 2006

For replacing missing DLL files, I just typed the DLL name in Google's search bar, pressed search, and viola...there it was!


Posted by:
Bob Holley
01 Mar 2006

Windows also whines if it finds an unattached DLL and stops the boot. I used the resources above to discover that it was a DLL connected with a printer that I had removed from the system. I then carefully edited that line in the registry to remove the reference to the DLL to eliminate this minor annoyance.


Posted by:
Karen
14 Jun 2006

You mention DLL-file.com but I would rather recommend DLL-files.com (with an 's' at the end) They have a better updated list of needed dll-files.


Posted by:
Emily
05 Nov 2006

Doesn't each file depend on the OS one is using. Or does it matter? Some sites don't put the DLL files according to the OS. Isn't that dangerous?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, you definitely need to match the file to the operating system!


Posted by:
faman
22 Dec 2006

I am missing a "Psligo49.dll" file, where can I get it?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't see this file anywhere, even with a Google search. If it's part of a software package you installed, trying removing and re-installing it.


Posted by:
Debbie
08 Mar 2007

Can anyone help me, I seem to have been messing a little too much with my pc and have obviously done some damage re. Error and missing dll files. Is there any way I can just download all missing dll files as I don't know the name of them and frankly it would take me months lol. Also with error notices about parameters, error code is 1/10100/8000/6800. The parameters are 1/1012/10100 doc 4536.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The System File Checker comes to mind. See http://askbobrankin.com/missing_or_damaged_dll_files.html


Posted by:
Brian Beckelman
13 Apr 2007

First of all, I would to commend you on this excellent website. I attempted to run the scan but my computer suddenly restarts every time I do it. I have already disabled the automatic restart feature. And switched the memory, video card, and even changed my fan! I know the problem has something to do with heat because when my comp got up to 65 or 70 degrees it would automatically restart. With the new fan it stays a LOT cooler, @ 37 or so, but the problem still occurs! I can replicate the problem by opening certain programs, such as the SCV /SCANNOW. Help would be greatly appreciated!


Posted by:
GEORGE
13 Oct 2007

Earlier I was using "Windows XP" with "FAT" format. Now I changed to "NTFS" format. I found that there is no system file checker is running, if the computer becomes down due to power failure[which had run when the same "windows XP" was in "FAT"]. I searched a lot and I got information that in "XP" with "NTFS" format it will not be there and power failure is not at all a problem. Is it correct? From the site "http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc" it is understand that checking can be done with "SFC /SCANNOW". Though I tried all the methods prescribed in there, the "SFC /SCANNOW" is not working. What else I can Do? pl. advise. Sojan, Kerala, India.

EDITOR'S NOTE: What happens when you try the SFC command?


Posted by:
john
27 Dec 2007

Error 1723

after I tried to download iTunes for Ipod classic it won't let me I get this attention sign (!)
and it says this:

iTunes + QuickTime
There is a problem with this windows installer package.
A DLL required for this install to complete could not be run.Contact your support personnel or package vendor.

(what can I do ? I have tried everything I could think of.


Posted by:
Kevin
14 May 2008

Well, you can always try http://www.dll4free.com/ and download the missing dlls... Saved me many times...


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