2025 guide to fixing msvcr110.dll errors on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Summary

Struggling with sudden crashes or a frustrating “msvcr110.dll is missing” error on your Windows 10 or 11 PC? You’re not alone. This common but disruptive issue can halt your favorite applications in their tracks. Whether you’re facing a startup failure or a program that won’t launch, our 2025 guide provides clear, step-by-step solutions. We’ll walk you through everything from a simple reinstall to using the Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 redistributable and advanced system tools. Get ready to fix this error for good and get back to a seamless computing experience. Let’s dive in.

Introduction to msvcr110.dll errors and their impact on Windows 10 and 11

That dreaded pop-up. One moment you’re launching your favorite game or essential software, the next, your screen is hijacked by an error message stating msvcr110.dll is missing or could not be found. It’s a jarring experience that can bring your productivity or entertainment to an abrupt halt, leaving you wondering what went wrong with a system that was working perfectly fine moments before. For users on both Windows 10 and the newer Windows 11, this specific DLL error remains a surprisingly common and disruptive issue, often appearing without any obvious trigger.

So, what’s really happening? The msvcr110.dll file is a critical component of the Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable package. Think of it less as a standalone program and more as a shared library of code—a set of instructions that many different applications rely on to perform basic functions. When you encounter a msvcr110.dll error on startup, it typically means one of three things: the DLL file itself has been accidentally deleted or corrupted, the application you’re trying to run is pointing to the wrong version of the file, or the necessary Visual C++ redistributable package was never properly installed in the first place. This is why the error can seem so random; a Windows update, an application install, or even a security scan can inadvertently disrupt the delicate ecosystem where these files reside.

Key Takeaway: The msvcr110.dll file is not a virus or malware. It’s a legitimate Microsoft system file. However, malware can sometimes disguise itself with this name, so it’s crucial to obtain any files or fixes from official sources only.

The impact is immediate and frustrating. Beyond the error message, symptoms can range from the application refusing to launch entirely to sudden crashes mid-use. The good news is that this is almost always a solvable problem. The solutions, which we will explore in detail, are methodical and range from simple reinstalls to more advanced system checks, all designed to restore the missing link and get your software running smoothly again. Let’s break down exactly what causes these errors to better understand the fixes.

What is msvcr110.dll and why does it cause errors?

At its core, msvcr110.dll is a dynamic link library (DLL) file, a fundamental building block of the Windows operating system. The name itself is a code: “ms” for Microsoft, “vcr” for Visual C++ Runtime, and “110” indicating it belongs to Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 redistributable (specifically, version 11.0). Unlike an application’s main executable file, a DLL contains a collection of reusable functions and procedures that multiple programs can call upon simultaneously. This shared library approach is efficient—it prevents software bloat by allowing different applications to use the same common code. However, this very efficiency is the root of the msvcr110.dll missing problem.

Errors occur when this shared resource becomes unavailable or damaged. The most straightforward cause is a simple deletion. Perhaps an overzealous antivirus scan mistakenly flagged the file, or a cleanup utility removed it thinking it was unnecessary. More commonly, the issue stems from an incomplete or corrupted installation of the software you’re trying to run. If a program expects to find msvcr110.dll in a specific location but the installer failed to place it there correctly, you’ll get the error. Another frequent culprit is a failed or conflicting installation of the Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable package itself, which is supposed to deploy this DLL to the correct system folders.

Important Note: A single Windows system can have multiple versions of the Visual C++ Redistributable installed side-by-side (e.g., 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013). They do not conflict, as each version maintains its own set of DLLs. A problem with the 2012 package will not affect software relying on other versions.

Understanding this dependency is key. The application crashing isn’t necessarily “broken”; it’s simply unable to access a critical piece of shared code it requires to function. This explains why the error can appear suddenly after a Windows update, which might modify system permissions or file locations, or after installing another program that overwrites the DLL with an incompatible version. Now that we’ve demystified the ‘what’ and ‘why,’ the next step is to identify the specific symptoms, which will help pinpoint the most effective solution.

Common symptoms of msvcr110.dll issues on Windows 10 and 11

That sudden, unmistakable pop-up is the most glaring sign of trouble, but the msvcr110.dll error on startup often manifests in other, more subtle ways. You might click a program’s icon only for it to fail silently, vanishing from the screen without any explanation. In other cases, an application might appear to load normally, displaying its splash screen, only to crash abruptly to the desktop once it attempts to access the missing runtime functions. These symptoms are not random; they are direct consequences of the application’s inability to locate or properly communicate with this essential library file.

The specific error messages can vary slightly, but they all point to the same core dependency issue. The most common alerts include:
* “The program can’t start because msvcr110.dll is missing from your computer.”
* “msvcr110.dll Not Found.”
* “This application failed to start because msvcr110.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.”

A Crucial Distinction: Pay close attention to the exact wording of the error. A message stating the file is “missing” from your computer suggests a system-wide issue, likely a problem with the Visual C++ Redistributable installation. However, if the error says the file is “missing” from the application’s own directory, it often points to a flaw in that specific program’s installation.

Sometimes, the problem is more insidious. You might successfully launch a program and use it for several minutes before it crashes, often when you perform a specific action that triggers a call to a corrupted segment of the DLL. This intermittent behavior can be the most frustrating to diagnose, as it masks the true origin of the instability. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward an effective solution, as the nature of the symptom can guide which fix you should try first. With a clear picture of how these errors present themselves, we can now move on to the practical, step-by-step solutions to get your system back on track.

Step-by-step guide to fixing msvcr110.dll errors

Excellent. Now that we’ve identified the enemy—the frustrating msvcr110.dll error and its various symptoms—it’s time to shift from diagnosis to action. This section is your practical toolkit, a clear, step-by-step guide designed to systematically eliminate the problem. We’ll begin with the simplest, most direct solutions and progressively move to more involved system-level repairs. This logical escalation ensures you spend the least amount of time and effort for the maximum chance of success. Think of it as troubleshooting from the ground up: first, address the specific application, then the shared library it depends on, and finally, the Windows system itself.

The most straightforward and often effective first response to a msvcr110.dll not found error is to reinstall the program that’s failing. Why does this work so frequently? The installation process isn’t just about copying the main application files; it’s also about setting up dependencies, including registering the required DLL files or placing them in the correct directories. A corrupted installation can break these links. By completely removing the software and performing a fresh install, you give it a clean slate to correctly deploy all necessary components, including msvcr110.dll. Before you proceed, remember to fully uninstall the problematic application via Windows Settings > Apps to remove any corrupted configuration data.

Pro Tip: When reinstalling, always try to download the latest version of the application directly from the developer’s official website. Software updates often include fixes for compatibility issues with modern Windows versions like 10 and 11.

If a simple reinstall doesn’t do the trick, the issue likely lies not with the application itself but with the system-wide runtime library it requires. This is where the core solution comes into play: installing the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012. Since this DLL is a core component of that package, a fresh, official installation is the definitive fix for a genuinely missing file. We’ll guide you on where to safely download the correct version (x86 for 32-bit applications, x64 for 64-bit) to avoid any security risks. For stubborn cases where file corruption is suspected, tools like the System File Checker (SFC) can automatically scan and replace damaged system files, while a Windows Update can resolve underlying compatibility conflicts. Let’s start with the most targeted approach.

Reinstalling the affected program to restore missing DLL files

When a specific program throws the msvcr110.dll is missing error, your most direct and often successful course of action is to focus on that application itself. This isn’t a system-wide failure yet; it’s a broken link between the program and a dependency it expects to find. The installation process for software is designed to handle these dependencies, either by bundling the necessary DLLs or by ensuring they are correctly registered on your system. A flawed installation—perhaps interrupted by a loss of power, a conflicting process, or simply a glitch—can leave these crucial connections incomplete or corrupted. A clean reinstall acts as a reset, forcing the installer to correctly deploy all required files, including msvcr110.dll, into the appropriate directories.

Here is the most effective method for a clean reinstall:

1. Uninstall Completely: Navigate to Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10 or 11. Locate the problematic application in the list, click the three-dot menu, and select “Uninstall.” Simply deleting the program’s shortcut from your desktop is not sufficient; this process ensures registry entries and configuration files are also removed.
2. Restart Your PC: This is a critical yet often skipped step. A restart clears any temporary files or locked processes related to the old installation, providing a clean slate for the new one.
3. Download and Reinstall: Visit the official website of the software developer to download the latest version of the program. Avoid using old installation files you may have stored, as the latest version might contain fixes for compatibility issues with current Windows updates.
4. Run as Administrator: Before launching the new installer, right-click on the installation file and select “Run as administrator.” This grants the installer the necessary permissions to write files to protected system directories, which is essential for correctly placing DLL files.

Why This Works: This process directly addresses the common cause mentioned earlier: an application pointing to a missing or incorrect version of the DLL. By starting fresh, you eliminate installation corruption as the variable.

This targeted approach resolves the issue for the specific application without affecting the rest of your system. It’s the logical first step because it’s quick, low-risk, and has a high success rate for application-specific errors. If, however, the error persists across multiple programs or the reinstall fails, the problem is almost certainly systemic, pointing to a missing or damaged Visual C++ Redistributable package. This leads us to the next, more foundational solution.

Installing Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012

If reinstalling the application doesn’t resolve the msvcr110.dll missing alert, the core issue likely isn’t with the program itself but with a system-wide absence of its essential runtime library. This is where you address the problem at its source by installing the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012. Remember, msvcr110.dll is a core component of this specific package; if the package was never installed correctly, was corrupted by an update, or was accidentally removed, any program relying on it will fail.

The process is straightforward, but getting the correct version is critical for compatibility. You must match the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of the software you’re trying to run, not necessarily your operating system. Most modern Windows 10 and 11 systems are 64-bit, but many applications are still built for 32-bit (x86). The safest approach is to install both the x86 and x64 versions of the redistributable to cover all bases.

Here’s how to proceed:

1. Download from the Official Source: Navigate to the official Microsoft Download Center. Search for “Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012.” The official package is often labeled vcredist_x64.exe (for 64-bit) and vcredist_x86.exe (for 32-bit). Avoid third-party “DLL download” sites, as they are a common source of malware.
2. Install the Correct Version(s): Run the downloaded installer(s). If you are unsure which version your application needs, install both. They are designed to coexist peacefully on the same system.
3. Restart Your Computer: After installation, a restart is highly recommended. This ensures that all system processes recognize the newly available runtime libraries and that any lingering locks on the old files are released.

Architecture Matters: A 64-bit application cannot use a 32-bit DLL, and vice-versa. Installing the wrong version will not fix the error. When in doubt, installing both the x86 and x64 versions is a foolproof strategy to fix msvcr110.dll error Windows 11 and Windows 10 systems comprehensively.

This method is often the definitive solution, as it replenishes the shared library that multiple applications depend on. If the error persists even after a correct redistributable installation, the msvcr110.dll file on your system might be actively corrupted, which requires a more powerful system tool to repair.

Running System File Checker (SFC) to repair corrupted system files

Sometimes, the problem isn’t that a file is missing, but that it’s damaged. Windows updates, disk errors, or even malware can corrupt system files, including msvcr110.dll, leading to persistent errors even after reinstalling the redistributable. When you suspect such underlying corruption, the built-in System File Checker (SFC) tool is your next logical step. This powerful utility scans the integrity of all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with genuine Microsoft copies.

Think of SFC /scannow as a detective and a repair crew rolled into one. It compares the digital signatures of your system files against a known-good cache. If it finds a file that’s been tampered with or is corrupt—like a damaged msvcr110.dll—it automatically attempts to fetch a clean version from a compressed folder located within your Windows directory. Running this scan is a proactive measure to ensure the very foundation your applications rely on is intact.

Here is how to execute the scan correctly:

1. Launch Command Prompt as Administrator: This is non-negotiable. The tool requires elevated privileges to repair protected system files. Search for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click on “Command Prompt,” and select “Run as administrator.”
2. Run the Scan: In the black command prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
   sfc /scannow
3. Wait Patiently: The scan can take 15-30 minutes to complete. Do not interrupt it. The utility will display a progress percentage and a message when it finishes.

Interpreting the Results: The tool will report one of three outcomes:
* “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.” Your system files are clean; the msvcr110.dll error has another cause.
* “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.” A corrupted file was likely the culprit. Restart your PC and check if the error is resolved.
* “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.” This indicates a deeper issue, often requiring more advanced steps like running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.

This scan addresses file corruption at the system level, a common hidden cause of DLL errors. If SFC successfully repairs your system, the frustrating crashes should cease. However, if the error remains or SFC cannot fix the problem, it often points to a broader compatibility issue, which is frequently resolved by ensuring your Windows installation is completely up to date.

Updating Windows 10 and 11 to resolve compatibility issues

While a corrupted or missing msvcr110.dll file is often the direct culprit, the underlying cause can sometimes be a deeper incompatibility between the application and your operating system. This is where keeping Windows 10 and 11 fully updated transitions from a general maintenance task to a specific troubleshooting step. Microsoft routinely releases updates that include critical fixes for system stability, security vulnerabilities, and, importantly, compatibility with legacy software and runtime libraries. An outdated system might lack a specific patch that allows older applications to correctly interface with modern OS components, leading to errors like the one you’re experiencing.

The process of updating is straightforward but essential. Navigate to Settings > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.” Install all available updates, including optional updates which often contain driver and non-security fixes. After the updates are installed and your system has restarted, attempt to launch the problematic application again. This single action can resolve the msvcr110.dll error on startup by ensuring that all the underlying subsystems your software depends on are speaking the same language.

A Note on Timing: If the error appeared immediately after a major Windows feature update, the compatibility issue might be temporary. Check the software developer’s website for a patch, as they often release updates to address problems with new Windows versions shortly after their launch.

What makes this solution particularly powerful is its proactive nature. It doesn’t just fix the current error; it fortifies your system against a range of similar dependency issues. Updates can refine how Windows manages DLL files, improve the security of the runtime environment, and provide newer versions of system components that legacy software can fall back on. If, however, your system is already fully updated and the error persists, the conflict is likely more immediate and localized, requiring a more surgical approach to isolate the interfering software. This leads us to one of the most effective methods for diagnosing stubborn application conflicts: the clean boot.

Performing a clean boot to isolate software conflicts

You’ve methodically worked through the obvious fixes—reinstalling the application, ensuring the Visual C++ runtime is present, scanning for corruption, and updating Windows. If that msvcr110.dll is missing error stubbornly persists, it’s a strong indicator that the conflict isn’t with a missing file, but with an active interference from another program running in the background. This is where performing a clean boot becomes an invaluable diagnostic step. It allows you to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, effectively isolating software conflicts that a standard scan would miss.

The beauty of a clean boot is its surgical precision. Third-party services like antivirus utilities, cloud storage sync clients, or even hardware controller software can sometimes lock or conflict with DLL files, preventing applications from accessing them correctly. By disabling these non-Microsoft services temporarily, you can determine if one of them is the hidden culprit. It’s a diagnostic tool, not a permanent fix, but it points you directly toward the solution.

Here’s how to perform a clean boot safely in Windows 10 and 11:

1. Open System Configuration: Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Configure Selective Startup: In the General tab, select “Selective startup” and uncheck the box for “Load startup items.”
3. Disable Services: Navigate to the Services tab. First, check the box “Hide all Microsoft services” to avoid disabling critical system functions. Then, click “Disable all.”
4. Apply and Restart: Click “Apply” and then “OK.” Restart your computer when prompted.

Critical Safety Note: Hiding Microsoft services before disabling others is essential. This prevents your system from becoming unstable by ensuring core OS functions continue to run normally.

After restarting, your desktop will look different, with many system tray icons missing. This is normal. Now, try to launch the application that was causing the error. If it starts successfully, you’ve confirmed that a background service or startup program is the source of the DLL conflict. The next step is to systematically re-enable services in the msconfig tool in small groups, restarting each time, until the error returns. This will identify the exact offending software, which you can then update, configure, or uninstall.

This method resolves some of the most elusive cases by targeting interference at its source. When even a clean boot doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to explore the final tier of advanced troubleshooting for the most persistent issues.

Advanced troubleshooting for persistent msvcr110.dll problems

You’ve reached the final frontier of troubleshooting. When the standard, methodical fixes—reinstalling programs, updating runtimes, scanning for corruption, and isolating conflicts—have all failed to silence the msvcr110.dll error, the problem is often rooted in deeper system irregularities. This doesn’t mean the situation is hopeless; it simply means we need to employ more powerful tools that can reset core components or surgically replace the problematic file. These advanced techniques address issues that lie beneath the surface of standard Windows utilities.

One of the most effective last-resort measures is using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. While SFC scans and repairs Windows using a local cache, DISM is designed to fix the Windows component store itself, which SFC relies on. If SFC reported that it was unable to repair files, running DISM first can often resolve that underlying corruption. Open an Administrator Command Prompt and run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This command connects to Windows Update to download replacement files for any corrupted components. After it completes (which can take over 20 minutes), restart your PC and run the sfc /scannow command again. This one-two punch of DISM followed by SFC has resolved countless stubborn system file errors.

A Note on Manual Replacement: Downloading a single DLL file from a third-party website is highly discouraged due to severe security risks. However, if you are certain the file is corrupt and other fixes have failed, the safest method is to extract a clean version from the official Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 redistributable installer using a tool like 7-Zip, rather than downloading the DLL in isolation.

For issues that seem tied to user profile corruption or persistent registry errors, creating a new Windows user profile can serve as a diagnostic nuclear option. If the application runs flawlessly under the new profile, it confirms that your main profile’s configuration is damaged. At this juncture, a “Repair Install” of Windows (an in-place upgrade that preserves your files and applications) or a system restore to a point before the errors began are the final, comprehensive steps to regain stability without a full wipe.

These advanced strategies tackle the most entrenched causes of the msvcr110.dll missing error, ensuring you have a path forward even when the standard playbook falls short.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you now have a clear path from a simple program reinstall to advanced diagnostics like an SFC scannow to resolve the msvcr110.dll missing error on Windows 10 or 11. For a lasting solution, ensure the correct Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 redistributable is installed. If issues persist, revisit the clean boot procedure to effectively isolate any lingering software conflicts and restore seamless application performance.