A program refuses to start because Visual C++ is missing
Why does my laptop say Visual C++ Redistributable is missing?
Written by The CommonFixes team · fact checked by CommonFixes review desk
Last updated
Short answer
Many programs and games are built with Microsoft's Visual C++ tools and rely on shared runtime files rather than shipping their own. If those runtime packages were never installed, were removed with another app, or are damaged, the program cannot find the file it needs and quits before it appears. The quickest thing to try first: install the current runtime straight from microsoft — Go to Microsoft's official page 'Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads' and get the X64 installer, plus the X86 one as well. Many 32-bit apps need the X86 copy even on a 64-bit laptop, which is why installing only one often fails to help. Most people are done in about 15 minutes.
Full walkthrough below: 5 steps for Windows, rated easy.
Sounds like this
- •A box mentions VCRUNTIME140.dll or MSVCP140.dll
- •The app closes the moment you open it
- •It started after removing another program
Why it happens
Many programs and games are built with Microsoft's Visual C++ tools and rely on shared runtime files rather than shipping their own. If those runtime packages were never installed, were removed with another app, or are damaged, the program cannot find the file it needs and quits before it appears.
Work through these in order
0% done- 1
Install the current runtime straight from Microsoft
Go to Microsoft's official page 'Latest supported Visual C++ Redistributable downloads' and get the X64 installer, plus the X86 one as well. Many 32-bit apps need the X86 copy even on a 64-bit laptop, which is why installing only one often fails to help.
- 2
Repair what is already there instead of stacking copies
Settings, Apps, Installed apps, find each 'Microsoft Visual C++ 20xx Redistributable' entry, choose the three dots, Modify, then Repair. Repair replaces damaged files and is safer than uninstalling entries other apps still depend on.
- 3
Add the older versions the app may actually want
Some software still needs the 2010, 2012 or 2013 runtimes, which are separate downloads. Read the error text carefully: MSVCR100.dll means 2010, MSVCR110.dll means 2012, MSVCP140.dll means 2015 to 2022.
- 4
Restart, then reinstall the program itself
Runtimes register during restart. Reboot first, then reinstall the app, because most installers bundle the exact runtime version they were tested with.
- 5
Repair Windows component files
Right click Start, Terminal (Admin), run sfc /scannow, then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Damaged system files can block runtime registration even after a clean install.
If none of that worked
Never download a loose DLL from a random site. If the error names a specific file, search that filename on Microsoft Learn to see which official package it belongs to, then install only that package.
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Who wrote this and how we checked it
The CommonFixes team
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We are a small group of people who spend our days repairing laptops and desktops for family, friends and small offices. Every guide here starts with a problem someone actually brought to us, and we only write down the steps that put the machine right.
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CommonFixes review desk
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This guide was last updated on 10 August 2026. If a step no longer matches what you see on screen, tell us on the contact page and we will test it again.
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