11 Easy Fixes For VCRUNTIME140.dll Not Found Error

Have you ever faced problems while opening applications or programs such as the WampServer, Skype, Photoshop, or anything developed in Microsoft Visual Studio? If so, you must have, at least once, got the error message VCRUNTIME140.dll not found or missing on the screen. 

It’s a common error most Windows users report and it’s likewise pretty straightforward to resolve. 

In today’s article, I have covered the VCRUNTIME140.dll error in detail, its primary causes, and the top 11 fixes. So, let us start.  

What is the VCRUNTIME140.dll error?

In VCRUNTIME140.dll, .dll is the extension of DLL (Dynamic Link Libraries) files. A DLL file contains instructions or code to smoothly run apps and programs developed in Visual Studio. In other words, these files are called upon by the apps or programs when an activity needs to be performed.

Sometimes, these files get lost, corrupt, or damaged for various reasons (I’ll talk about these in the next section). As a result, the apps or programs linked to the DLL file can’t access it and refuse to launch or operate. 

That’s why you get the following error message on your screen. 

The program can’t start because VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem. 

What causes the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error on Windows?

Here are the common causes of the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error while launching an app or program. 

• The VCRUNTIME140.dll file is lost, corrupt, or damaged
• Incomplete Windows update
• Faulty installation of software (if only a particular software is not launching or working)
• Damaged Visual Studio 2015
• Corrupt system files
• Virus or malware attack

Once you’ve figured out what is the reason behind the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error, it’ll become easier to work around the possible solutions as discussed below. 

Solutions for the VCRUNTIME140.dll Not Found error on Windows

Here are the top 12 solutions to get rid of the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error on your OS. 

1. Restart your PC
2. Run the system file checker (SFC) tool
3. Register the VCRUNTIME140.dll file again
4. Reinstall/Repair Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015
5. Reinstall the app showing the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error
6. Update your network drivers
7. Update your Windows to the latest version
8. Run the Troubleshooter
9. Restore your system to an earlier version
10. Run the Windows Defender scan 
11. Factory reset your Windows 10

Let’s discuss each of these in detail below.  

Restart your PC

The best way to solve the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error on any Windows version is through restarting your PC. In fact, I recommend frequently restarting your PC to maintain your system’s optimal health to smoothly execute your routine processes. Otherwise, get ready to face glitches, slow operation speed, and other issues. 

To restart your PC, follow these steps. 

• Click on the Start menu. 
• Click on the Power icon that’s present in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
• Select Restart from the available options. 

Your PC will now restart. Once done, check if the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error resolves or not. If not, try the next method. 

Run the system file checker (SFC) tool

Microsoft provides you with a built-in system file checker (SFC) tool that scans and repairs the disputed files to solve the various issues, including the VCRUNTIME140.dll one. You can easily access it in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 

To run the SFC tool, please follow the given steps. 

• Launch the Search box of your PC or press the Windows key on your keyboard. 
• Type cmd in the input field and select Command Prompt from the results. Right-click on it and select Run as Administrator from the context menu. 

• Once the command prompt opens, simply enter the command – sfc /scannow and hit the Enter key. 

The following message will appear on your screen. 

Beginning verification phase of system scan.

Verification 0% complete_

The scanner will take sufficient time to scan the disputed files and repair them as well. In most cases, the tool will itself display the results on the screen. 

If it doesn’t, follow these steps. 

• Follow the above steps to reopen the command prompt as an admin. 
• Enter the following command and hit the Enter key.  

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log
>"%userprofile%\Desktop\sfclogs.txt"

The above command will return with sfclogs.text document on your desktop. Just click on it and open it in the Notepad to view the scanned files and other details. 

Register the VCRUNTIME140.dll file again

Another best hack I applaud in solving the annoying VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error is by re-registering the VCRUNTIME140.dll file. 

Follow these steps to register the VCRUNTIME140.dll again.  

• Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Search box or you can directly open it as well. 
• Type cmd in the input field and select Command Prompt from the results. Right-click on it and select Run as Administrator from the context menu. 
• Execute the command – regsvr32 /u VCRUNTIME140.dll.
• In the next step, enter the command – regsvr32 VCRUNTIME140.dll to register the DLL file again. 

Now, check if the earlier VCRUNTIME140.dll not found message still shows up or not. If yes, try the next method. 

Reinstall/Repair Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015

Since the VCRUNTIME140.dll error is associated with apps and programs developed in the Microsoft Visual Studio, any issues with the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio is another culprit behind the error. 

Hence, you must either repair the current version of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio or re-install. 

Follow these steps to reinstall/repair the Visual Studio. 

To repair:

• Launch the Control Panel. 
• Navigate to the Programs & Features section as shown below. 
• Scroll down the list of programs till you find Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable (x86). Right-click on it and select Change. 

• A pop-up will appear. Click on Repair. 
• Once the repair process is successful, click on Close.

Now, try to open the software or app that was earlier not reopening. If it still fails to open, I suggest installing it again. 

To reinstall:

Always use the official website to download the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages. 

• Click on the above link to land on the official download page. 
• Click on Download. 
• On the next screen, either select vc_redistx64.exe or vc_redistx86.exe for 64-bit and 32-bit systems respectively. Click on Next. 
• On the next screen, tick the checkbox stating – I agree to the license terms and conditions and click on Install. 

• Click on Close when the setup completes. 

Now, check if the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error persists or not. If yes, try the following method. 

Reinstall the app showing the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error

If only a particular app or program is displaying the VCRUNTIME140.dll error, the problem may be with that app or program only! That’s why I recommend reinstalling it. 

Follow these steps to do so. 

• Launch the Settings. 
• Search for the Apps & Features option and click on it. 
• Under the Apps & Features heading, search for the disputed app or program. Select Uninstall to uninstall it. 
• Now, reinstall the app or program from its official website only. 
• Launch the app or program again. 

The issue must have been resolved by now. If not, here’s another solution. 

Update your network drivers

There are multiple ways to update your network drivers. These include:

• Via the Device Manager
• Via Windows Optional Update
• Via the driver’s official website

Out of all these, I recommend Device Manager as the easiest way to accomplish the task. 

Follow these steps to do so. 

• Launch the Device Manager either through the Control Panel or Run box. In the latter, execute the command devmgmt.msc. 

• Once the Device Manager window opens, scroll down to Network adapters and click on it to expand it. 

• Find your disputed driver, right-click on it, and select Update device from the menu. 
• On the next screen, either select Search automatically for updated driver software or Browse my computer for driver software.

• Follow the on-screen instructions to update the network driver. 

Now, check if the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error is still showing up or not. 

Update your Windows to the latest version

If updating the network drivers doesn’t work in your case, I believe you must be using an outdated Windows version on your PC. If that’s true, please upgrade to the latest version. 

Follow the given steps to do so. 

• Launch the Settings of your system. 
• Search for the Update & Security option and click on it. 

• Click on the Windows Update option on the right panel.

• Click on Check for updates to scan for any update. If there’s one, it’ll be automatically downloaded. 

You can also check Advanced options if you want to explore further. 

Run the Troubleshooter

To run the built-in troubleshooter on your Windows, follow these steps.  

• Launch the Settings.
• Search for the Update & Security option and click on it. 

• Click on Troubleshoot from the left panel. On the right side of the screen, you’ll get an entire list of troubleshooters for you to choose from.

• Select your desired troubleshooter and right-click on it to run it. 
• Follow the on-screen instructions, if any. 

Now, check if the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found message still appears or not. If it still shows up, here’s the next solution. 

Restore your system to an earlier version

Yes, I agree that an updated Windows is the key to getting rid of various system issues. In some cases, however, your system may malfunction due to the same update. 

As a solution, you must restore your system to its earlier version. Follow the given steps to do so. 

• Click on the Search icon and enter Create a restore point. Select the top result. 
• The System Properties window will open up. Click on the System Protection tab and then on Configure… 
• On the next screen, click on Turn on system protection and slide the slider at the bottom to allot sufficient memory for the restore. Click on Apply and then, OK.
• On the next screen, click on Create…, and enter the restore point name. Click on Create. 
• This will create a restore point. 
• Again, click on the System Protection tab, and click on System Restore. 
• Follow the on-screen instructions and click on Yes if prompted. 

The Windows restoration process will start and may take from 15 minutes to an hour to complete. So, have some patience.  

Run the Windows Defender scan 

Windows Defender is another smart built-in tool from Windows that scans your software and hardware for problems and solves them as well. 

To run the Windows Defender tool, follow these steps. 

• Launch the Settings of your system. 
• Search for the Update & Security option and click on it. 

• Click on Windows Defender on the left sidebar and select Open Windows Defender Security Center on the right.

• On the next screen, click on Quick Scan to enable Windows Defender to get to its work. 

The process may take some time depending upon the number of issues that are present. Once the process is complete, check whether the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found issue still shows up or not. 

If yes, I suggest performing a factory reset. 

Factory reset your Windows 10

To factory reset your Windows 10, here’s the step-by-step guide. 

• Go to the Settings page of your system. 
• Search for the Update & Security option and click on it. 

• As the Update & Security window opens up, click on the Recovery option on the left sidebar. 
• Under the Reset this PC section, click on Get started. 
• A pop-up box will appear with two options to choose from. First, Keep my files, and second, Remove everything. 

• Click on the desired option among these two and follow the on-screen instructions. 
• On the Ready to reset this PC window, click on Reset, and relax. 

Your PC will restart from scratch and you’ll be required to set up everything. Check now the issue must have been resolved by now. 

So, these are the top 11 solutions for the VCRUNTIME140.dll not found error on Windows. 

Conclusion

Trying to open a program and instead of the program’s interface, viewing the error message VCRUNTIME140.dll not found is not a unique thing, at least for Windows users. You must have also gone through an identical situation, courtesy of programs such as Adobe’s Creative Cloud, Kodi, or WAMP. 

In most cases, incompatibility between the programs and Windows is the main reason. Besides, corrupt system files, malware, and bugs are also prominent contributors. 

Nevertheless, the problem is easy to solve and the above solutions will surely help you out. If you face any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us in the comments below.  

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