The iertutil.dll errors can occur at any time while using a Windows XP machine. However, they are also reported on Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
Usually, they appear right after startup, while opening Internet Explorer, running Explorer, opening a program, or shutting down.
Sometimes, the error makes one program inaccessible such as Internet Explorer.
But in other cases, it can stop the File Explorer and render the system useless.
Let’s know why these errors occur and how to fix them in windows XP iertutil.dll errors.
Causes Of the iertutil.dll Error Message on Windows XP
- Corrupted Internet Explorer files
- Corrupted system files
- Virus or malware attack
- Missing update patch
- Bad registry files
How To Fix Windows XP iertutil.dll errors
- Check your Recycle Bin and dllcache Folder
- Install Windows Updates to Fix iertutil.dll Errors
- Search for the File in Windows Installation Folder
- Scan and Repair Corrupt System Files Using the System File Checker
- Uninstall Most Apps
- Perform an Antivirus or Malware Scan
- Use a Free Registry Cleaner
- Try Another Browser if Internet Explorer is Not Working
- Use System Restore for Resolving the iertutil dll Error
- Download iertutil.dll File from the Internet (Not Recommended)
- Reinstall Windows
1. Check your Recycle Bin and dllcache Folder
If you suspect the file is missing from your computer because you accidentally deleted the iertutil.dll file, check it in the Recycle Bin and restore it. If not, perform these steps:
- Go to C > Windows > System32 > dllcache and find the required dll file.
- Copy it to C > Windows > System32.
- If the iertutil.dll error has stopped your explorer, open a web browser, download a third-party explorer, and perform the process.
Furthermore, in the case, the error has stopped the explorer and the desktop, try this:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Click File > Run new task.
- Type C:\Windows\System32\dllcache and check if it has the iertutil file.
- If it does, copy it. Then, run a new task through Task Manager again. Go to C:\Windows\System32\ and paste the file there.
Bear in mind that the dllcache folder is present in XP only. You won’t find it in any other versions.
2. Install Windows Updates to Fix iertutil.dll Errors
Many Service Packs and patches copy newer dll files to the system. Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog of XP and check if you have installed the required updates as it may fix this problem.
If you did, it’s a good idea to uninstall a few updates and reinstall them again because the reinstallation of updates may copy the iertutil.dll file as well.
- Navigate to Control Panel > Updates > View installed updates.
- Right-click an update and select ‘Uninstall’.
- Restart your computer.
- Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog and download the update again.
3. Search for the File in Windows Installation Folder
If you’re sure the file is on your drive somewhere, try searching for it in your Windows system.
- Click Start > Search > For Files and Folders.
- Search for iertutil in C > Windows.
If the Windows search doesn’t work, install third-party file search programs.
4. Scan and Repair Corrupt System Files Using the System File Checker
When an issue is due to corrupted system files or a bad Windows registry running an SFC scan is recommended. It scans and repairs corrupted or missing files so it might fix the iertutil.dll not found error.
- Open the command prompt with administrative rights.
- Copy-paste the below command and press enter.
- sfc /scannow
- Wait while it scans and repairs files.
- Restart your PC.
5. Uninstall Most Apps
Some recently-installed programs may be interrupting the Windows processes and causing the iertutil.dll was not found error. So, uninstall them.
- Head to Control Panel > Programs
- Uninstall the problematic software.
6. Perform an Antivirus or Malware Scan
XP is an old operating system that isn’t supported by Microsoft either. This makes it an easy target for virus and malware attacks.
You must have a reliable antivirus program installed and regularly check for viruses.
- To perform a virus scan, open your antivirus app.
- Look for a scan option and select a full system scan.
- This will take time as your computer searches for malicious programs depending on the speed of your system and the hard drive space.
7. Use a Free Registry Cleaner
Sometimes, an invalid registry causes the failure to start because iertutil.dll is missing or not found. An SFC scan can fix it, but a specialized registry cleaner can also be helpful.
- Open a web browser and search for free registry cleaners.
- Choose a free app.
- Install it. I’m using CCleaner Free.
- Run the registry scan and fix the shown registry issues.
8. Try Another Browser if Internet Explorer is Not Working
If the iertutil.dll is missing error is only stopping Internet Explorer, simply use another browser like Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera. The reason is that this dll file is the run time utility for Internet Explorer.
9. Use System Restore for Resolving the iertutil dll Error
If you saved restore points on your Windows machine, you can restore your computer to a set restore point and resolve this Dynamic Link Library (DLL) error.
- Navigate to Control > System Restore.
- Follow the instructions in the wizard.
10. Download iertutil.dll File from the Internet (Not Recommended)
If nothing is working and you’re getting the iertutil.dll access violation error, you can download the file from the dll websites and place it in the C > Windows > System32 folder.
But the dll sites are trusted and I can’t guarantee the safety of the file so do it at your own risk.
11. Reinstall Windows
The last option is to consider installing a fresh copy of the Windows operating system. I’d recommend installing Windows 10 as it has Microsoft support so the risk of malware attacks will be lowered.
