If there was a recent adware attack and some system files got changed, there is a chance of getting this particular error message. Similarly, an identical error message may appear if you download and install software from an untrusted website that contains malware.
The program can’t start because api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing from your computer
Instead of heading to some dedicated websites to download a particular DLL file, it is recommended to go through the following troubleshooting steps to eliminate this error first.
1. Download Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Update 3 RC
Whether you are using Windows 7, 8, or 10, you must download this package from the official Microsoft website and install it. To download the package, you need to know your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). If you do not know that already, open This PC, right-click on an empty space and select the Properties option. Now, check the System type. If x64 is visible, you have a 64-bit system, whereas x86 defines a 32-bit system. After installation, restart your computer and check if it solves the issue or not.
2. Repair the Installed Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package
1: Search for Control Panel in the Taskbar search box, and click on the individual result to open Control Panel on your computer. 2: Click on the Uninstall a program option. If you cannot find it, make sure the View by is set as Category. 3: Find Microsoft Visual C++2015-2019 Redistributable (x64) or (x86) and click on it to select. In case you see both, select the first package and click the Change button. 4: Click on the Repair option. It may ask for the administrator’s permission by showing the UAC prompt. You can click the Yes button to allow the app and wait for a few moments to allow the process to complete. Once done, restart your computer and check if the problem persists or not.
3. Update Universal C Runtime
At times, Windows Update might not download the required package due to some misconfiguration. To fix that, you may download the update package for Universal C Runtime in Windows from the official Microsoft website. It is a basic download and installation step. However, as you are using Windows 10, it is recommended to download the Windows 8.1 package since there is no official release for Windows 10 yet (but it works).
4. Reinstall the Software
The ‘api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is missing’ error may occur while opening any installed program, such as Google Chrome, Skype, Evernote, etc. When this error occurs, and if it is happening with only one specific app, you have to note the app name. You can check the app name in the title bar of the error message. Then, you have two options – repair the installed software or reinstall it. As the repair option is not always available for all the apps, you have to make use of the second option. To repair an app, follow these steps- 1: Search for the Control Panel in the Taskbar search box and click on the individual result. 2: Set the View by as Category, and click on the Uninstall a program option. 3: Let’s say you want to repair the Microsoft Edge browser. For that, select the Microsoft Edge, and click on the Change option visible on the top menu bar. For some apps, you may view a dedicated Repair option instead of the Change button. 4: Then, click on the Repair button and wait for a few moments to complete the process. 5: Once done, try to open the app to check if the DLL file missing error reappears. 6. If you want to uninstall an app, you have to open the Uninstall a program window as you did earlier in Control Panel, select the program you want to uninstall, and click on the Uninstall option. 7. Finally, you can download the software from the official website and reinstall it on your computer.
5. Run Adware Removal Tool
Adware can cause numerous problems on Windows PC, including this missing DLL file error. They tweak the system files to display advertisements irrespective of the app or window you have open. That is why it is recommended to scan your computer with an adware removal tool and delete all the potentially suspected files and programs. For your information, AdwCleaner is a well-known and handy tool from Malwarebytes, which does the job pretty well. You can download AdwCleaner and double-click on the .exe file to open and run it.
- Click on the Scan Now button to start scanning your PC.
- Once done, it shows an option to Run Basic Repair. This option appears when AdwCleaner doesn’t detect anything suspicious.
- However, if it does detect adware, you will see an option to remove it accordingly.
6. Use System File Checker
Like said earlier, adware tweaks system files to display advertisements on your computer. If they do it extensively, you might get the DLL missing issue even after removing the adware. That is when you should run the System File Checker, which searches for possible corruption is system files and tries to rebuild it from the cache. As SFC or System File Checker is a command-line and in-built tool, so you do not have to install third-party software. To get started, follow these steps- 1: Search for CMD and click on the Run as administrator option to open Command Prompt with administrator permission. 2: Enter the following command- 3: It takes some time. Once the scan is complete, you can restart your computer.
7. Troubleshoot in Clean boot
1: Press Win+R, type msconfig, and click the Enter button to open the System Configuration window. 2: Switch to the Services tab and check the Hide all Microsoft services box. 3: Make sure all the visible services are selected or checked, and click the Disable all button. 4: Click the OK button and restart your computer. 5: Try opening the same app that was causing the missing DLL issue. If you cannot see any error as earlier, press Win+R, type msconfig, and press the Enter button. Then, choose the Normal startup button. 6: Restart your computer in normal mode and open the same System Configuration window to enable one or two services at a time. 7: Repeat 4th,5th, and 6th steps to find out whether a third-party service is causing the issue on your computer not. 8: If yes, you have to repair or reinstall the corresponding app.
8. Re-Register the Dll File
1: Search for CMD in the Taskbar search box, click on the Run as administrator option, and click the Yes button to open Command Prompt with administrator privilege. 2: Enter the following command: 3: Wait for a few moments to complete the process. Once done, restart your computer.
9. Use System Restore Point
This method works only if you created a System Restore point before getting this issue or if your system is set to create one automatically in the background. Restoring your computer to a previous point in time won’t delete your personal files or data. 1: Search for create a restore point in the Taskbar search box, and click on the respective search result to open the System Properties window. 2: In the System Protection tab, click on the System Restore button. 3: Now, you get an option to choose a custom restore point. There maybe more than one and if so, select one when you believe Windows 10 was running error-free. Select it and click the Next button. 4: Click the Finish button, restart your computer, and allow it to finish the steps as per your requirements. Once done, you won’t find any problem related to the DLL missing.
Which Solution Worked for You
As there are mainly two reasons you are getting this problem, it is recommended to go through all these steps. However, if you know the cause, it would help you get rid of the missing DLL problem quickly.
