Fixes / Windows · Checked September 30, 2026

Windows MSVCP140.dll was not found: what it means and how to fix

Short answer

MSVCP140.dll is part of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, a free runtime that many Windows programs and games need. The error means the program can't find it. Download and install both the x64 and x86 versions of the latest Visual C++ v14 Redistributable from Microsoft (aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x64.exe and aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x86.exe), restart the PC, then open the program again.

What this message means

MSVCP140.dll is the C++ standard library file from the Microsoft Visual C++ v14 runtime, the one shared by Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2026. Programs built with Microsoft's C++ tools load it when they start. If Windows can't find a copy that matches the program's architecture (32-bit or 64-bit), it stops the launch and shows this message. It's rarely a fault in Windows itself. Almost always the runtime package is missing, only one of the two architectures is installed, or the installed copy is damaged. The same fix applies to its sibling files VCRUNTIME140.dll and VCRUNTIME140_1.dll.

Common causes

Cause	How to tell
The Visual C++ Redistributable was never installed	In Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10), search "Visual C++" and you won't find a "2015-2022" or "v14" Redistributable entry. This is common on a fresh Windows install or with portable programs that skip their own installer.
Only the 64-bit (x64) runtime is installed, but the program is 32-bit (or the other way round)	You see "Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64)" in the list but no (x86) entry, or the reverse. In Task Manager, 32-bit programs usually run from C:\Program Files (x86).
The installed runtime is damaged or out of date	Both entries are listed but the error continues. Or it started after a failed update, a cleanup tool, or a disk problem. Other programs may show similar errors for VCRUNTIME140.dll.
Antivirus quarantined or deleted the program's own copy of the DLL	Only one program is affected, the error appeared right after an antivirus scan, and Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection history lists a quarantined item from that program's folder.
Corrupted Windows system files	Several unrelated programs fail with DLL errors even after you reinstall the redistributable, or sfc /scannow reports integrity violations.

How to fix it

1. Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributable (both x64 and x86)

Download the 64-bit installer from Microsoft: https://aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x64.exe
Download the 32-bit installer too: https://aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x86.exe. You need it even on 64-bit Windows because many programs are 32-bit.
Run each file, accept the license terms and click Install. If you're asked, allow it to make changes (administrator approval).
Restart the PC, even if the installer doesn't ask you to.
Open the program again.

2. Install the ARM64 runtime on Windows on ARM PCs

Windows 11 on ARM devices (for example, Snapdragon-based Surface and Copilot+ PCs)

Check your device type in Settings > System > About. Under System type, look for "ARM-based processor".
Install https://aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x64.exe. On ARM devices this package includes both the ARM64 and x64 runtime files.
Also install https://aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x86.exe for 32-bit programs.
Restart and open the program again.

3. Repair the existing Visual C++ Redistributable

Windows 11: Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Windows 10: Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Control Panel works on both.

Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open Programs and Features.
Find "Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64)" (newer builds may be called "Microsoft Visual C++ v14 Redistributable").
Right-click it, select Change, then click Repair.
Repeat for the (x86) entry.
Restart the PC and try the program again.

4. Reinstall the program that shows the error

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10) and uninstall the program.
Download a fresh installer from the developer's official site, or reinstall through Steam, Epic, the Microsoft Store or whichever launcher you used.
Run the installer and let it install any "Visual C++" or "prerequisites" components it offers. Don't skip them.
If your antivirus quarantined a file, restore it from Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection history, or add the program's folder as an exclusion. Only do this if you trust the source.

5. Repair Windows system files with DISM and SFC

Click Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
Run: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
When it finishes, run: sfc /scannow
Leave the window open until verification reaches 100%.
Restart, then reinstall both Visual C++ Redistributables from the first fix.

6. If the redistributable installer itself fails

Right-click the vc_redist file and choose Run as administrator.
Install all pending updates in Settings > Windows Update, then restart.
Close other programs and turn off third-party antivirus temporarily while it installs. Turn it back on afterwards.
If you see "Another version of this product is already installed" (0x80070666), a newer version is already present. Use the Repair fix instead.
For error 1603 or 1714, collect logs with Microsoft's Log Collection Tool (https://aka.ms/vscollect) and follow Microsoft's VC Redist troubleshooting guide.

Next time, skip the search

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Still not fixed?

Check the program's system requirements. Recent Visual C++ v14 runtimes support only Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server 2016 or later, so older systems may need the program's own bundled installer. Contact the program's developer or support forum, give them the exact error text and your Windows edition (Settings > System > About), and ask which Visual C++ version the program needs. On a work PC where you can't install software, ask IT to deploy the Visual C++ Redistributable. If Microsoft's installer fails with an error code, use the Report a Problem form on Microsoft's Developer Community and attach the logs from the Log Collection Tool.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to download MSVCP140.dll from a DLL download site?

No. Single-DLL sites often host outdated, mismatched or tampered files, and Microsoft warns against installing runtime files it didn't sign. Install the official Visual C++ Redistributable instead. It puts the correct, signed files in the right folders.

Do I need both the x86 and x64 versions on 64-bit Windows?

Yes, install both. A 32-bit program needs the x86 runtime even on 64-bit Windows, and the two install side by side without conflict.

Which Visual C++ version includes MSVCP140.dll?

The v14 runtime, which Microsoft now lists as the Redistributable for Visual Studio 2017 to 2026 (older installs show "2015-2022"). One up-to-date package covers programs built with Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2026.

I installed the redistributable but still get the error. Why?

Usually you installed only one architecture, or you didn't restart. Install both x64 and x86, restart, and if it still fails, repair the entries in Programs and Features or reinstall the program.

Should I copy MSVCP140.dll into System32 or the game folder?

It's better not to. A hand-copied DLL can be the wrong architecture or version and won't get security updates. The redistributable installer puts the files in the right places and keeps them updated.

Sources

Related errors