vcruntime140.dll: download the file and fix the error

32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Scanned by antivirus

vcruntime140.dll is a file of Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022, the runtime library that a great many games and programs need to run. Its official description: “Microsoft® C Runtime Library”, by Microsoft Corporation.

If it is missing or damaged, Windows displays for example: “The program can't start because vcruntime140.dll is missing from your computer.” Two methods can fix the error, below.

Method 1 · quick · about 1 minute

Download only vcruntime140.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 · downloaded 729,547 times

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: 14.00.24212.0 (64-bit)14.44.35211.0 (32-bit)
Size: 87.89 KB (64-bit)91.22 KB (32-bit)
Architecture: 64-bit (x64)32-bit (x86)
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

Then:

Extract vcruntime140.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): 538237f49e96e05138b33a5bb0990f515c797678fad4dbee93ce671303763040 · Check on VirusTotal
SHA-256 (32-bit): a9d7732a3c3de09f0601a7fa2555093dcb49f08e2fc62a86091461f0f38393ed · Check on VirusTotal · Product: Microsoft® Visual Studio® 2015

Method 2 · complete · official method · 5 to 10 minutes

Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022

Microsoft’s free package restores vcruntime140.dll and all the files of the same family, in 32-bit and 64-bit. Recommended if several DLLs are missing or if the error comes back.

Microsoft.com: 64-bit version Microsoft.com: 32-bit version

Already installed? Settings › Apps › Installed apps › Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable › Modify › Repair.
Otherwise, run both downloaded files (64-bit and 32-bit on 64-bit Windows), then restart your computer.

Complete guide: Visual C++ errors (msvcp, msvcr, vcruntime)

Error messages related to vcruntime140.dll

The program can't start because vcruntime140.dll is missing.
Failed to load vcruntime140.dll
Error loading vcruntime140.dll. The specified module could not be found.

Why does this error occur?

Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 is not installed: new computer, reinstalled Windows, or a program that does not install its own prerequisites.
The file was deleted or damaged: another program was uninstalled, an overly aggressive cleanup, an antivirus.
Wrong architecture: a 32-bit program cannot use the 64-bit version of the DLL, and vice versa.

Files of the same family (Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022)

concrt140.dll mfc140.dll mfc140u.dll msvcp140.dll msvcp140_1.dll msvcp140_2.dll msvcp140_atomic_wait.dll msvcp140_codecvt_ids.dll ucrtbase.dll vccorlib140.dll vcomp140.dll vcruntime140_1.dll

Frequently asked questions

Is vcruntime140.dll a virus?

No: it is a legitimate Microsoft file. Only be wary of a copy found outside C:\Windows or a program’s folder; you can compare its SHA-256 fingerprint with the one shown on this page.

Should I install the 32-bit or the 64-bit version?

On 64-bit Windows, install both: a 32-bit game needs the x86 version, even on 64-bit Windows. On 32-bit Windows, only the x86 version can be installed.

What is the difference between msvcp140.dll and vcruntime140.dll?

Both are part of Visual C++ 2015-2022: vcruntime140.dll contains the basic functions, msvcp140.dll the C++ standard library. The official package installs both.