In this article we will explain what a DLL file is and what causes different DLL errors.  We will also discuss the steps you can perform to fix DLL errors.
                      
What is a DLL file?

A DLL file is a collection of commands or codes that can be used by different programs to perform specific functions. Each Windows computer contains thousands of DLL files, so DLL errors are not uncommon.

DLL error messages and simple steps to fix them

Listed below are some common DLL error messages that you may come across and the reasons for their occurrence. Also discussed are the steps you can use to fix DLL errors:

Missing DLL error

The most common DLL error message is the missing DLL error message. A message similar to the one listed below may appear on your screen:

“Error Starting Program – A Required .Dll File, Machinist2.dll, Was Not Found”

“Machinist2.dll file was not found”

As these error messages point out, the missing DLL error is caused by the removal of the corresponding DLL file.

The first step in fixing such errors is to check to see if you have deleted the DLL file by mistake. This usually happens when you are trying to delete a similarly named file. Check the contents of your Recycle Bin and see if you find your missing DLL file there. If this is not the case, try to recall if you have recently uninstalled any program from your system or not. Incorrect uninstallation may lead to deletion of a shared DLL file and cause missing DLL error messages. In such cases, you will need to install the application again to restore the DLL file to your system.

In case the above steps fail to restore the missing DLL file, you can download a copy of the DLL file from a free and legitimate DLL download website. You must ensure that you save the downloaded DLL file in its original location on your computer.

Rundll Errors

Another common DLL error message that you may encounter is Rundll error messages. An example of a rundll error is listed below:

“RUNDLL: Error loading d3dx9_27.dll. The specified module could not be found”

The most common reason behind such errors is malware infection. If you see a rundll error message appearing on your screen, immediately run a full system antimalware scan on your system. To prevent such errors from occurring in the future, ensure that your antivirus software is always running in the background and keep it updated with the latest virus definitions and security updates.

Registry Issues

DLL errors may also occur due to incorrect or damaged registry entries. This is the reason why it is important that you regularly scan your registry using an advanced registry cleaning tool.

Performing the steps mentioned above helps you keep DLL errors at bay and fix them whenever they appear on your screen.