The safest fix for an “MSVCP140_1.dll was not found” message is to install or repair the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable that matches the application’s architecture. Downloading a loose DLL from a third-party site and copying it into System32 is not a supported repair. Install the current supported v14 package from Microsoft, use x86 for 32-bit programs, x64 for 64-bit programs, or ARM64 for ARM64 programs, then restart the application.
What the MSVCP140_1.dll error means
MSVCP140_1.dll is one of the runtime files used by programs compiled with Microsoft Visual C++ toolsets. Microsoft describes the Visual C++ Redistributable as a package that installs the Microsoft C and C++ Runtime Libraries. Games, launchers, creative applications and utilities built with Microsoft Visual C++ can therefore fail before their main window appears when Windows cannot locate this file.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
CORRSQ 30-in-1 Bootable USB Drive | $20.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
5-in-1 Win Repair & Reinstall Bootable USB Flash Drive – Fix, Recover, or Reinstall Windows 11... | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The dialog is reporting a missing runtime dependency. It normally does not indicate that your save file, document or game installation is damaged. The application is asking Windows for a library that should have been installed separately or supplied by the application’s installer, and the loader cannot find a usable copy.
What the message does not tell you
The filename alone does not identify the correct installer. The required package depends on the application’s target architecture and, in some cases, the toolset generation used to build it. A 32-bit application can need the x86 runtime even on 64-bit Windows, while a 64-bit application needs x64. ARM64 applications need ARM64 files.
#1 Best Overall
- 1. COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS 11, 10, 8.1 & 7 Designed for compatible 64-bit PCs and laptops that support USB booting. Works with Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 installation and recovery options.
- 2. INSTALL, REINSTALL & REPAIR Provides access to installation and recovery options for startup failures, boot errors, system crashes, failed updates, system repair and reinstallation. Results depend on the condition of the computer and the cause of the problem.
- 3. READY-TO-USE BOOTABLE USB Reusable installation and recovery media that helps eliminate the need to download large system files or create bootable media yourself. Insert the USB drive, open the computer’s boot menu and select the appropriate installation or recovery option.
- 4. HELP KEEP OLDER PCS USEFUL Refresh, reinstall or maintain a compatible older computer before deciding whether replacement is necessary. Suitable for home computers, office workstations, PC enthusiasts and technicians who regularly work with supported systems.
- 5. IMPORTANT COMPATIBILITY & LICENSE INFORMATION Supports compatible 64-bit computers with UEFI or Legacy BIOS USB booting. No Windows license, activation key or product key is included. Activation may require an existing digital license or a separately purchased valid product key. Back up important files before installation or repair.
Is it safe to download MSVCP140_1.dll?
Do not download an isolated MSVCP140_1.dll from an unofficial DLL repository, a file-sharing page or a random forum post. You cannot reliably verify its origin, version, architecture or whether it has been altered. Copying a file into System32 or the application directory can also leave the rest of the runtime missing or create a version mismatch.
Microsoft’s supported distribution model is the Visual C++ Redistributable package, or the installer supplied by the application’s publisher. A package installs the related runtime components together and registers them in the way Windows expects. If a game or app includes its own redistributable installer, obtain it from that application’s official support or installation media rather than from a DLL-download site.
Choose the correct Visual C++ package
Use the application’s architecture, not merely the edition of Windows, to choose a package. Microsoft’s current supported v14 Redistributable page provides separate installers for x86, x64 and ARM64 systems. The current v14 line covers applications built with Visual Studio 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2026 toolsets; legacy Visual Studio redistributables are listed separately for older applications.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
| Application type | Package to install | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 32-bit (x86) application | x86 Redistributable | Required even when Windows itself is 64-bit. |
| 64-bit (x64) application | x64 Redistributable | The package architecture must match the program. |
| ARM64 application | ARM64 Redistributable | Use this for a native ARM64 build. |
| Mixed software on 64-bit Windows | Usually both x86 and x64 | Install both when you use separate 32-bit and 64-bit applications. |
| Older program built with a legacy toolset | The legacy redistributable specified by the publisher | Older packages are not a general substitute for the current supported package. |
On a 64-bit Windows computer used for gaming, installing both the current x86 and x64 packages is often appropriate because different games and launchers can target different architectures. Do not install every architecture indiscriminately on an ARM device; use the architecture required by the program and its publisher’s instructions.
Primary fix: install the official Redistributable
- Identify the application that fails. Note the exact game or program name and whether it is a 32-bit, 64-bit or ARM64 build. The application’s official system-requirements page, support article or installer documentation is the most reliable source. If the publisher provides a bundled Visual C++ installer, use that package or confirm which architecture it expects.
- Open Microsoft’s “Latest Supported Visual C++ Redistributable Downloads” page. Use Microsoft’s official documentation rather than a search result that offers an individual DLL. The page lists the supported v14 installers and the separate x86, x64 and ARM64 downloads.
- Download the architecture that matches the application. For a 32-bit game, choose x86. For a 64-bit game, choose x64. For a native ARM64 application, choose ARM64. If you run both 32-bit and 64-bit software on 64-bit Windows, download both corresponding packages.
- Run the installer. Open the downloaded installer and approve the User Account Control prompt if Windows requests administrator elevation. Read the license screen, accept it, and select the install option. The installer may close or pause programs that are using the runtime.
- Allow setup to finish. Do not interrupt the process or replace files manually. If setup reports that the same or a newer package is already installed, do not keep downloading random DLL copies; use the Repair procedure below.
- Restart when prompted. Launch the game or app again after setup completes. If the installer requests a Windows restart, restart before testing so that pending runtime changes can be applied.
- Test the original shortcut. Start the application from its normal launcher or shortcut. A successful launch confirms that Windows can now resolve the runtime dependency. If a different missing-DLL message appears, record its exact filename instead of guessing at another download.
Why installing both x86 and x64 can be necessary
Windows architecture and application architecture are separate choices. A 64-bit edition of Windows can run 32-bit games, but those games still load 32-bit runtime libraries. Installing only x64 will not satisfy an x86 program. Conversely, an x86 package will not satisfy a native x64 build. When a household PC runs a mixture of older 32-bit games and newer 64-bit software, installing the current supported x86 and x64 packages avoids choosing the wrong side of that split.
If Windows says a newer version is already installed
A “newer version is already installed” result means the package is present, not that every file is necessarily intact. Repair the existing installation through Windows before attempting anything else.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Apps, then Installed apps on Windows 11, or the equivalent installed-programs view on Windows 10.
- Search for the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable entry whose architecture matches the failing application, such as x86 or x64.
- Open the entry’s menu and choose Modify if it is shown.
- Choose Repair and allow the operation to complete.
- Restart Windows if prompted, then launch the application again.
Repair the other architecture as well if you installed both packages and separate applications still report runtime errors. Keep the package entries that other programs use; removing all redistributables can make unrelated applications fail.
Recommended Free Tools
Install pending Windows updates and retry
When the official installer itself will not complete, first install pending Windows updates. Updates can include servicing changes needed by current installers and may resolve an incomplete installation state.
- Open Settings and select Windows Update.
- Choose Check for updates and install all updates offered for your edition of Windows.
- Restart whenever Windows requests it, including when more than one restart is required.
- Run the matching Visual C++ Redistributable installer again as an administrator if Windows asks for elevation.
- Test the application after setup finishes.
If setup still fails with a specific error, keep the exact wording and any error code. That information distinguishes a package-installation problem from an application deployment problem and is useful when contacting Microsoft or the application publisher.
Rank #2
- Dual USB-A & USB-C Bootable Drive – compatible with nearly all Windows PCs, laptops, and tablets (UEFI & Legacy BIOS). Works with Surface devices and all major brands.
- Fully Customizable USB – easily Add, Replace, or Upgrade any compatible bootable ISO app, installer, or utility (clear step-by-step instructions included).
- Complete Windows Repair Toolkit – includes tools to remove viruses, reset passwords, recover lost files, and fix boot errors like BOOTMGR or NTLDR missing.
- Reinstall or Upgrade Windows – perform a clean reinstall of Windows 7 (32bit and 64bit), 10, or 11 (amd64 + arm64) to restore performance and stability. (Windows license not included.). Includes Full Driver Pack – ensures hardware compatibility after installation. Automatically detects and installs drivers for most PCs.
- Premium Hardware & Reliable Support – built with high-quality flash chips for speed and longevity. TECH STORE ON provides responsive customer support within 24 hours.
Repair or reinstall only the affected application
If the runtime package installs or repairs successfully but one game or app still displays the same message, the application may have been deployed incorrectly. Microsoft’s guidance for users trying to fix an individual application is to contact that application’s vendor for instructions.
Use the application’s own repair option
Many launchers expose a Verify, Repair or Scan and repair command. Use that command from the official launcher first. It can restore files that the publisher intended to ship, including a bundled runtime installer, without deleting personal settings or saves. The label and location vary by vendor, so follow the publisher’s current support instructions.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Reinstall from an official source
If no repair command exists, uninstall the affected program through Windows or its official launcher and reinstall it from the publisher’s legitimate store or installer. Back up saves and custom settings according to the publisher’s instructions before uninstalling. Do not copy an MSVCP140_1.dll file from another PC or from a different game; the file may not match the required architecture or runtime version.
Contact the publisher when one title remains broken
Tell support which Windows edition you use, whether the system is x64 or ARM64, the application version, the exact dialog text, and which Visual C++ package and architecture you installed or repaired. Include the installer result rather than claiming that the DLL itself is defective. If the vendor bundled the wrong runtime or omitted it, only the vendor can correct that deployment for its application.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check architecture and toolset details before repeating a fix
Repeatedly installing the same package will not fix an architecture mismatch. Confirm the program’s target architecture through its official documentation, installer notes or support team. Some publishers provide separate downloads for x86 and x64; others use one launcher that installs different binaries based on the system. The executable’s architecture, not the launcher’s label, determines the runtime it loads.
The current supported v14 package is intended for applications built with Visual Studio 2017 through 2026 toolsets. A legacy application may explicitly require an older Visual Studio redistributable, which Microsoft lists separately. Follow the application publisher’s requirement when it names a legacy generation; do not assume that an older package is a better choice for a newer program. Microsoft cautions that older redistributable files are not supported for applications built with newer toolsets.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Common symptoms and the right response
| What you see | Likely explanation | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| The dialog appears immediately when one game starts. | That game cannot find its Visual C++ runtime dependency. | Install the package matching the game’s architecture, then use the launcher’s repair function if needed. |
| Several unrelated programs show similar MSVC errors. | A shared redistributable installation may be missing or damaged. | Install or repair the current supported x86 and/or x64 packages required by those programs. |
| The installer says a newer version is already installed. | The runtime entry exists, but its files may need repair. | Use Apps/Installed apps, Modify, and Repair on the matching entry. |
| Only the x86 package was installed on 64-bit Windows. | A 64-bit application still lacks its x64 runtime. | Install the x64 package as well; keep x86 for 32-bit applications. |
| The problem remains after a successful repair. | The application may have an incorrect or incomplete deployment. | Repair or reinstall the application from its official vendor and contact support. |
| A download page offers a single DLL file. | It is not Microsoft’s supported distribution method. | Close the page and use the official Redistributable or the application vendor’s installer. |
What not to do
- Do not copy a DLL from System32 on another computer. The other computer may have a different architecture, update level or runtime generation.
- Do not rename a similar file. A nearby MSVCP or MSVCR file is not interchangeable merely because its name looks close.
- Do not delete redistributable entries at random. Other applications can depend on them, and removing a package can create additional startup failures.
- Do not treat the message as proof of malware. The documented meaning is a missing runtime dependency. Use your normal security software separately if you have broader security concerns, but replacing the runtime with an unverified file is not a security fix.
- Do not install an unrelated architecture repeatedly. x86, x64 and ARM64 packages satisfy different application targets.
A practical decision path
- One application fails: identify its architecture, install the matching current v14 package, then repair or reinstall that application if the dialog returns.
- Several applications fail: install or repair every required architecture, normally x86 and x64 on a 64-bit Windows PC, and restart Windows.
- Setup refuses to run: install pending Windows updates, restart, and retry the official installer with elevation when requested.
- A legacy application names an older Visual Studio generation: follow the publisher’s requirement and Microsoft’s legacy-package documentation instead of substituting a random DLL.
- Only one title remains broken after runtime repair: treat it as an application deployment issue and contact the publisher.
How to avoid the error after you fix it
Keep the application and its launcher updated through their official channels. When reinstalling Windows or moving a game to another PC, reinstall the Visual C++ packages required by the applications rather than copying individual runtime files. Record whether each program is x86, x64 or ARM64 so that a future repair starts with the correct package. If a vendor includes a redistributable installer with its game, allow that installer to complete instead of cancelling it because the game itself appears to have finished installing.
The supported approach is deliberately package-based: identify the application architecture, install or repair the corresponding Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, restart when requested, and then use the application publisher’s repair or support process if the dependency is still missing. This avoids unverified DLL downloads and addresses both the runtime files and their installation state.
Quick Recap
As an optional shortcut after trying the manual steps, Outbyte PC Repair can check for more than 100 common Windows issues, including broken system elements and shared DLL files, and can offer cleanup and diagnostics. It runs on Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7; its free trial is available by category for at least two days before a paid subscription. It complements antivirus software rather than replacing it, and results vary, so no utility repairs every application crash.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
