api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll: download the file and fix the error

32-bit and 64-bit Universal C Runtime (Windows) Scanned by antivirus

api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll is a file of the Windows Universal C Runtime (UCRT), used by programs compiled with Visual C++ 2015 and later. Its official description: “ApiSet Stub DLL”, by Microsoft Corporation.

If it is missing or damaged, Windows displays for example: “The program can't start because api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll is missing from your computer.” Two methods can fix the error, below.

Method 1 · quick · about 1 minute

Download only api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll

Ideal if only this file is reported missing: you replace a single file, without reinstalling anything.

⇓ Download the 64-bit version ⇓ Download the 32-bit version .zip file: the DLL + its instructions

Which version should you choose? The one that matches the program showing the error, not Windows: a 32-bit game or program needs the 32-bit DLL, even on 64-bit Windows. If in doubt, try the 64-bit version first, then the 32-bit one if the error persists or becomes “0xc000007b”.

Version: 10.0.17134.12
Size: 24.84 KB (64-bit)24.33 KB (32-bit)
Architecture: 64-bit (x64)32-bit (x86)
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

Then:

Extract api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll from the zip file and copy it to the folder of the program showing the error (where its .exe file is).
Still getting the error? Copy it to C:\Windows\System32 (64-bit DLL) or C:\Windows\SysWOW64 (32-bit DLL on 64-bit Windows), then restart.

SHA-256 (64-bit): 885309eb86dccd8e234ba05e13fe0bf59ab3db388ebfbf6b4fd6162d8e287e82 · Check on VirusTotal
SHA-256 (32-bit): 73ab2161a7700835b2a15b7487045a695706cc18bcee283b114042570bb9c0aa · Check on VirusTotal · Product: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System

Method 2 · complete · official method · 10 minutes

Update Windows and reinstall Visual C++ 2015-2022

This file is built into Windows 10 and 11. On Windows 7 and 8.1, it is installed by Windows Update or by Microsoft’s Visual C++ 2015-2022 package.

Microsoft.com: Visual C++ 64-bit Microsoft.com: Visual C++ 32-bit

Run Windows Update and install all available updates.
Install both Visual C++ 2015-2022 packages (64-bit and 32-bit), then restart your computer.

Error messages related to api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll

The program can't start because api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll is missing.
Failed to load api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll
Error loading api-ms-win-crt-string-l1-1-0.dll. The specified module could not be found.

Why does this error occur?

Windows 7 or 8.1 not up to date: the Universal C Runtime is not included out of the box.
Visual C++ 2015-2022 missing or damaged.
Damaged system file on Windows 10 or 11.

Files of the same family (Universal C Runtime)

api-ms-win-crt-heap-l1-1-0.dll api-ms-win-crt-math-l1-1-0.dll api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll api-ms-win-crt-stdio-l1-1-0.dll msvcp140.dll ucrtbase.dll vcruntime140.dll