msvcp140.dll

What Is msvcp140.dll?

msvcp140.dll is a core component of the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable. It provides many of the C++ Standard Library functions used by modern Windows applications and games that were built with Microsoft Visual C++.

This DLL is not part of the low‑level Windows kernel. Instead, it is a Microsoft‑signed runtime library that applications depend on at launch. If it is missing or broken, programs that require it may:

• Fail to start entirely
• Crash on startup
• Display errors mentioning msvcp140.dll or the Visual C++ runtime

Common messages include:

"The program can't start because msvcp140.dll is missing from your computer."

"msvcp140.dll was not found."

"Error loading msvcp140.dll. The specified module could not be found."

"Unable to load 'msvcp140.dll' or one of its dependencies."

What Does msvcp140.dll Do?

✔ C++ Standard Library Runtime

msvcp140.dll contains implementations of many standard C++ features, including:

• Containers like std::string, std::vector, std::map
• File and stream I/O
• Exceptions and runtime type information
• Utility functions and algorithms
• Threading and synchronization helpers

Any program compiled with Visual C++ that uses these features expects the matching msvcp140.dll to be present.

✔ Works Together With Other VC++ Runtime DLLs

It is part of a larger runtime set that often includes:

• vcruntime140.dll
• vcruntime140_1.dll
• msvcp140_1.dll
• msvcp140_2.dll

Applications may need several of these DLLs at the same time. If any of them are missing or mismatched, the program can fail to launch.

Where Is msvcp140.dll Normally Located?

On a typical Windows installation, msvcp140.dll is installed by the Visual C++ Redistributable into system folders such as:

• C:/Windows/System32/ (for 64‑bit binaries on 64‑bit Windows)
• C:/Windows/SysWOW64/ (for 32‑bit binaries on 64‑bit Windows)

In some cases, software may also ship its own copy in the application folder, for example:

• C:/Program Files/AppName/
• C:/Program Files (x86)/AppName/

You should generally let installers and redistributables decide where the file belongs, rather than moving it manually.

What Software Uses This DLL?

You will encounter msvcp140.dll with:

• PC games compiled with Microsoft Visual C++
• Desktop applications (editors, launchers, utilities)
• Tools that rely on C++ libraries or game engines

Because Visual C++ is widely used, this DLL is effectively a shared dependency for thousands of programs.

Why Do msvcp140.dll Errors Occur?

✔ Missing or Not Installed

The most common reason is that the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable required by the application is not installed. This happens after:

• A clean Windows installation
• Removing older runtimes during cleanup
• Installing software that assumes the runtime is already present

✔ Corrupted or Incomplete Installation

If the redistributable or the application installer was interrupted, the file may be:

• Partially written
• Corrupted on disk
• Registered incorrectly

This can lead to crashes or missing‑DLL errors.

✔ Wrong Architecture (32‑bit vs 64‑bit)

A 64‑bit application needs the 64‑bit runtime, while a 32‑bit application needs the 32‑bit runtime. Installing only one of them can cause errors if your programs use both.

✔ Antivirus or Security Software

Security tools can sometimes quarantine runtime DLLs they do not recognize, especially in non‑standard locations. This turns a working installation into a missing‑DLL error until the file is restored.

✔ Manual DLL Swaps

Copying msvcp140.dll from another machine, another Windows version, or a random download can create subtle version mismatches. The program may:

• Start but behave unpredictably
• Crash when reaching certain code paths
• Break again after Windows or the app updates

How To Fix msvcp140.dll Errors

1. Install or Repair the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (Recommended)

The most reliable fix is to install (or repair) the official Visual C++ Redistributable package that includes msvcp140.dll.

1. Open Apps and Features in Windows.
2. Look for entries like Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable.
3. If present, select it and choose Modify → Repair.
4. If it is not present, download the latest supported redistributable from Microsoft and install it.
5. On 64‑bit Windows, install both the x86 and x64 versions if you use both 32‑bit and 64‑bit applications.

After that, restart the affected program and test again.

2. Reinstall the Affected Program or Game

Some software packages include their own copy of the VC++ runtime or trigger its installer automatically.

If a specific game or application still fails after repairing the redistributable:

1. Uninstall the program from Apps and Features.
2. Restart Windows (optional but helpful).
3. Install the program again from its official source.

This ensures its bundled runtime and dependencies are installed correctly.

3. Check Antivirus Quarantine

If the program used to work and only recently started showing msvcp140.dll errors:

1. Open your antivirus or security suite.
2. Check Quarantine / History / Threats for detections involving msvcp140.dll or the program’s folder.
3. If the file was flagged by mistake, restore it and add the application folder to exclusions if you trust it.
4. Re‑run the program and, if needed, re‑run the VC++ redistributable installer to verify all runtime files.

4. Redistributable Package

When Downloading msvcp140.dll:

• The file may be the wrong version or architecture.
• It may introduce instability or crashes.

Always prefer:

• Official Microsoft redistributables
• The installer provided by your game or software vendor

Summary

msvcp140.dll is a key Microsoft C++ runtime library used by many Windows applications and games. Errors involving this DLL usually mean:

• The required Visual C++ Redistributable is missing
• The runtime installation is corrupted or incomplete
• Antivirus or manual changes removed or replaced the file

The best long‑term fix is to:

• Install or repair the official Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable
• Reinstall the affected application if needed
• Avoid random, third‑party DLL downloads and manual file swaps

This approach restores a version‑correct, secure copy of msvcp140.dll and reduces the chance of future runtime issues.