WinOS DLL Errors

A DLL error is the most common WinOS error. You've likely had a message pop up, at least once or twice, informing you that a DLL error has occurred. If you're like a lot of people, you probably shut your computer down and rebooted, hoping the issue had gone away. But, what exactly is a DLL error, and how does it affect your computer?

DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library. Essentially, a DLL file is a necessary component of a particular program or application. Without that DLL file, the program or application cannot run properly. Some DLL files are shared by numerous programs, and if a particular DLL file becomes corrupted or is accidentally deleted, it could wreak havoc on how those programs, that are associated with it, are run.

Missing DLL - this means that a call has been made by an application for a particular DLL. However, that DLL could not be found. In some cases this means that the DLL file in questions cannot be found on your system. However, when a DLL is called, the application must provide a path to that library.

A missing DLL error can occur in cases where the actual DLL name does not match the name of the DLL being called. It may also mean that the path being called does not match the actual path of the existing DLL. The DLL may be on your system, but it is possible that it could have an incorrect name or be in the incorrect location. This could be an error with the DLL itself or with the coding of the application causing the error.

Corrupt DLL - a DLL, like any other file or folder on your computer, can become corrupt. They become corrupt for one of a number of reasons. Spyware or virus infections can certainly lead to a number of important files on your system becoming corrupt. If you have manually attempted to alter the contents of a file, then this too can lead to a corruption. An interrupted installation or even an interrupted execution of the DLL may also lead to a corrupt DLL error message.

Reimage and WinOS DLL Errors

Sure, you can spend countless hours trying to figure out how to repair your DLL error but wouldn't it save time to have an automatic program do it?

Reimage will replace your missing/damaged DLL files with fresh, clean and up-to-date ones
Reimage will replace ALL DLL files* that are missing and/or damaged - Even those you don't know about!

Reimage can only fix system DLL files, such as those that came with your WinOS installation, as opposed to third-party DLL files.

For a list of what Reimage can and can't fix, visit our What does Reimage fix? page.