What Causes DLL Errors?

DLL Errors: Causes and Fixes

DLL or Dynamic Link Library files are used to create executable code libraries that can be dynamically called in applications to perform specific functions. One of the main benefits of DLL files is that one DLL file can be shared across multiple applications to perform the same function. There are hundreds of DLL files on your Windows computer—some are shipped along with your system and some come when you install other software programs and device drivers on the PC.

Due to the presence of so many DLL files, there are many conditions that can generate DLL errors on your system.

Incorrect program install and uninstall processes are one of the most common causes of DLL errors. When you install an application, DLL errors may occur if you overwrite an existing DLL file—being shared across other applications—with an older version. In this case, the best way to resolve the error would be to look for and install an update for the application you have installed—if it is available. You may also try to look for a newer version of the DLL file, copy it to your system and then register it using the Regsvr32 command. If nothing works, you may have to use System Restore to revert your system back to the state before you had installed the application that caused the error.

Similarly, you may encounter missing DLL errors when you uninstall an application or when an application is not installed properly. For instance, you may encounter “AdvrCntr.dll cannot be found” error, when you try to use the Nero tool but it is not installed properly on the system. In the same way, you may encounter the “Xvidcore.dll not found” error, when you try to play an XviD format file and the XviD codec is not installed on the PC or is corrupt. To fix these errors, you must first try to reinstall the application that you had uninstalled earlier to restore the deleted DLL. Next, uninstall the application again but this time take care not to delete the shared DLL files during the process.

Malfunctioning devices and corrupt device drivers may also cause DLL errors on the system. To fix these errors, first try to update the driver of the faulty device to see if that resolves the errors. If updating the device driver does not fix the problem, then there may be problem with your device and you may either have to get the device repaired or replaced to repair the error.

Malware infections are a major cause of several computer errors—including DLL errors. Malware programs, such as viruses and Trojans add infected codes to your application files and several corrupt entries in the registry. By doing this, these malicious programs alter the way your PC normally behaves by dramatically slowing it down and generating several computer errors. To prevent these errors, you must regularly scan your PC using a reliable antivirus tool and detect and remove all malicious information from your system.

Lastly, ensure that the registry of your Windows system is compact, healthy, and free of errors. This is important because a registry full of unwanted data easily gets damaged and starts generating computer errors. To keep your registry free of these unwanted problems, you may need to use a registry cleaner tool. Registry cleaners are GUI-based, user-friendly tools that any computer user can use to repair and fix registry problems. Many registry cleaner tools enable you to customize your search and look only for specific types of errors. For instance, if you are suffering from DLL errors, you may customize the registry cleaner tool to look only for DLL-related problems and fix them.