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“The program can’t start because XINPUT1_3.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.” If Windows reports that xinput1_3.dll was not found or could not be loaded, install the official legacy DirectX runtime before trying DLL download sites or registry commands.
Which fix applies to you
Use this order to identify the most likely repair:
-
If an older game or emulator fails on a recently installed or fully updated Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, install Microsoft’s DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
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-
If the computer is offline or the web installer fails, download the full DirectX End-User Runtimes package from June 2010, extract it, and run
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If only one game fails, verify its files through Steam, Epic Games Launcher, GOG, or the launcher that installed it. Repair or reinstall that game if verification finds a problem.
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-
If the error says the DLL is “not designed to run on Windows” or displays
0xc000012f, treat the file as corrupt, incompatible, or the wrong architecture. Reinstall it through DirectX Setup rather than replacing it manually. -
If antivirus recently quarantined a game or runtime file, inspect Windows Security Protection history before reinstalling anything.
-
If multiple older DirectX applications fail, check Windows Update, run DISM followed by SFC, and investigate recent system or driver changes.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
If the problem began immediately after a driver or Windows change, consider updating the driver or using System Restore after completing the safer runtime checks.
What xinput1_3.dll is
xinput1_3.dll is part of the legacy Microsoft XInput 1.3 runtime. XInput is the API older Windows games use to communicate with Xbox-compatible controllers and other supported input devices. It is an API runtime library, not a controller driver.
Microsoft documents XInput 1.3 as a redistributable component from the June 2010 legacy DirectX SDK. The file is installed into Windows system directories by DirectX Setup, rather than being registered like a typical COM component. Microsoft’s XInput version documentation explains the relationship between the older XInput runtime and newer XInput versions.
The file is not supplied by:
- The Visual C++ Redistributable
- The .NET runtime
- A graphics card driver
- A controller driver
- A normal Windows Features checkbox
- DirectX 12 alone
Windows 10 and Windows 11 include newer XInput components, including XINPUT1_4.DLL and XINPUT9_1_0.DLL. Those are not interchangeable with XINPUT1_3.DLL. A game compiled against XInput 1.3 can still request the older filename even when newer DirectX components are present.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe DirectX version displayed by dxdiag, such as DirectX 12, does not prove that the optional legacy XInput 1.3 runtime is installed. Microsoft describes these older components as side-by-side redistributable files that game installers should install when required. Microsoft’s DirectX installation guidance for game developers explains why a newer DirectX version does not automatically provide every older optional component.
What the error messages mean
The exact wording depends on Windows, the application, and the launcher. Common messages include:
The program can’t start because XINPUT1_3.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.
This usually means the application requested XInput 1.3 and Windows could not find a usable copy in the normal DLL search locations.
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The code execution cannot proceed because XINPUT1_3.dll was not found.
This has the same general meaning. The application cannot load the runtime it was built to use.
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\XINPUT1_3.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error.
This type of message is commonly associated with status 0xc000012f. It does not necessarily mean the file is missing. The file may be corrupt, incompatible, the wrong architecture, or being shadowed by another copy.
A launcher may instead say that it cannot load an import from XINPUT1_3.DLL. That can indicate a missing runtime, a damaged runtime, a mismatched architecture, or a bad copy stored beside the game executable.
Fix 1: Install Microsoft’s DirectX End-User Runtime
This is the safest and most likely fix for a missing xinput1_3.dll.
Microsoft’s official DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer includes XInput 1.3 and other optional legacy DirectX components. The download is named dxwebsetup.exe.
Run the web installer
-
Open the Microsoft download page.
-
Download
dxwebsetup.exe. -
Open your browser’s Downloads list, or open File Explorer and go to your Downloads folder.
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Double-click
dxwebsetup.exe. -
Approve the User Account Control prompt.
-
Accept the licence terms.
-
Decline any optional software offer if one appears and is not required for DirectX.
-
Allow the installer to download and install the legacy components.
-
Restart Windows after setup completes.
-
Start the affected game or program again.
The installer does not replace DirectX 12 or downgrade Windows. It adds optional legacy DirectX files alongside the newer components already present.
How to tell whether it worked
The original application should launch without the XINPUT1_3.DLL missing or not-found message. You do not need to run regsvr32, manually edit the registry, or copy the file into a game folder after a successful DirectX installation.
If the same error appears immediately, continue to the offline installation method. The web installer may have failed to download a component, been blocked by security software, or completed without repairing a damaged local installation.
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Fix 2: Use the full June 2010 DirectX package
Use this method when the computer has unreliable internet access, the web installer fails, or you want the complete legacy DirectX redistributable package.
Download the official DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) from Microsoft. The downloaded file is named directx_Jun2010_redist.exe.
This package is an extractor. Running it does not finish the DirectX installation by itself.
Extract and install the package
-
Download
directx_Jun2010_redist.exefrom Microsoft. -
Open the Downloads folder.
-
Right-click the downloaded file and select Run as administrator.
-
When the package asks where to extract its files, create or select a temporary folder. A short path such as
C:\DXRedistis easier to troubleshoot than a deeply nested folder. -
Open the extraction folder after the unpacking process finishes.
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Locate
DXSETUP.exe. -
Right-click
DXSETUP.exeand select Run as administrator. -
Accept the licence terms and allow DirectX Setup to complete.
-
Restart Windows.
-
Test the affected game or program.
Microsoft’s deployment guidance identifies DXSETUP.exe as the installation step. Simply extracting the CAB files, browsing them, or leaving them in a temporary folder does not install the runtime.
For managed deployments or a game installer, Microsoft documents this silent command:
dxsetup.exe /silent
Do not use the silent command as a troubleshooting shortcut unless you are comfortable checking setup logs and exit results. For an individual repair, the normal graphical installer makes it easier to see whether setup completed.
If the offline installer reports an internal system error
Work through these steps in order:
-
Delete or move the incomplete extraction folder.
-
Download a fresh copy from Microsoft.
-
Extract it to a short local path such as
C:\DXRedist. -
Run
DXSETUP.exeas administrator. -
Temporarily disconnect unnecessary peripherals and close games, launchers, overlays, and hardware monitoring programs.
-
Check whether security software blocked or quarantined a DirectX setup file.
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Run Windows Update.
-
Run DISM and SFC using the procedure later in this guide.
-
Review these diagnostic files if they exist:
C:\Windows\DXError.log
C:\Windows\DirectX.log
- Save a DxDiag report and provide it, together with the DirectX logs, to the game publisher if the installer still fails.
Do not delete files from System32 or SysWOW64 to force the installer to continue. A failed setup can indicate broader Windows component corruption, permissions problems, security software interference, or a damaged installation source.
Fix 3: Verify or repair the game
If only one game reports the error, the game installation may be incomplete or damaged. Older games often include a DirectX prerequisite that was skipped during installation or failed silently.
First close the game and its launcher. Then use the platform’s file-repair function.
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Steam
-
Open Steam.
-
Open Library.
-
Right-click the affected game and select Properties.
-
Select Installed Files.
-
Select Verify integrity of game files.
-
Wait for the process to finish.
-
Start the game again.
If Steam reports missing or damaged files, allow it to reacquire them. If the game includes a DirectX or redist folder, run its official prerequisite installer after verification.
Epic Games Launcher
-
Open Epic Games Launcher.
-
Select Library.
-
Select the three dots beside the game.
-
Select Manage.
-
Select Verify.
-
Wait for verification to finish.
-
Start the game again.
Other launchers
Look for commands named Verify, Repair, Scan and repair, Validate, or Manage installation. The exact wording varies by launcher.
If verification does not solve the error, uninstall and reinstall the game from its official platform. When the file belongs to one specific game, reinstalling that game remains the definitive way to restore any private files and prerequisites supplied by that publisher.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteAvoid adding a downloaded DLL to the game folder. Windows normally searches the application directory before the system directories, so an incorrect local copy can override the copy installed correctly by DirectX Setup. Microsoft’s DLL search order documentation describes this application-directory precedence.
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Fix 4: Check the 32-bit and 64-bit architecture
Architecture mistakes are a common reason a repaired installation still fails.
On 64-bit Windows:
System32normally contains 64-bit system files.SysWOW64normally contains 32-bit system files used by 32-bit applications.- A 32-bit game generally needs the 32-bit runtime.
- A native 64-bit game generally needs the 64-bit runtime.
The names are counterintuitive. SysWOW64 does not mean that it contains 64-bit files. It is the location used for 32-bit files on 64-bit Windows.
A 32-bit game can therefore need the copy associated with SysWOW64 even though the computer has a 64-bit processor and a 64-bit edition of Windows. A 64-bit game can need the copy associated with System32. Microsoft documents this behavior in its File System Redirector guidance.
Do not infer the required DLL architecture from the computer’s CPU alone. The failing executable determines which version it can load. The safest approach is to run the official DirectX installer and let it install the components required by the application.
Do not copy an x86 DLL into System32, or an x64 DLL into SysWOW64, to test a theory. Do not rename one XInput version to another. XINPUT1_3.DLL, XINPUT1_4.DLL, and XINPUT9_1_0.DLL are different components and are not interchangeable.
Fix 5: Check for a quarantined file
If the error began after an antivirus scan, an update to security software, or the installation of a game modification, check quarantine before attempting repeated repairs.
Check Windows Security
-
Open the Start menu.
-
Search for Windows Security and open it.
-
Select Virus & threat protection.
-
Select Protection history.
-
Review recent detections involving the game, its launcher, DirectX setup, or
xinput1_3.dll.Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Open a detection to inspect its path and details.
-
Restore or allow the file only when you have verified that the game and installer came from a legitimate source.
-
Reinstall the game or DirectX runtime from its official source if the file was removed.
Microsoft warns that restoring a quarantined file can cause it to be detected again unless it is explicitly allowed, and allowing a genuine threat can put the computer at risk. Microsoft’s Protection History guidance explains the decision and the risks.
Do not disable antivirus globally just to make the game start. If a file was quarantined from an unofficial DLL site, remove that file and use Microsoft’s DirectX package instead.
Fix 6: Repair Windows components with DISM and SFC
DISM and SFC are useful when Windows itself has component corruption, servicing problems, or damaged protected files. They are not substitutes for installing the optional legacy DirectX runtime, and SFC should not be expected to install xinput1_3.dll on a clean Windows installation.
Run DISM first, then SFC.
Run DISM
-
Open the Start menu.
-
Search for Command Prompt.
-
Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
-
Select Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
-
Enter this command:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
-
Press Enter.
-
Wait until the operation completes. It may remain at one percentage for a while.
-
Restart Windows if DISM requests it.
Run System File Checker
Open an elevated Command Prompt again and run:
sfc /scannow
Wait for verification to reach 100 percent. Restart Windows when it finishes, then run the affected program.
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Possible results include:
-
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations: SFC found no damaged protected Windows files. Continue with DirectX Setup, game verification, architecture, and antivirus checks.
-
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them: Restart and test again.
-
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them: Review the result, confirm that DISM completed successfully, restart, and run SFC again. If corruption persists, investigate Windows servicing and recovery options.
Manually hunting through system files and repeatedly running SFC or DISM without knowing what changed can make troubleshooting slow. Outbyte PC Repair provides a free scan that shows what it identifies; repairs are performed by the full version, and it is optional rather than required for this DirectX issue.
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If the file belongs only to a particular game, repairing or reinstalling that game remains the definitive fix for that application.
Fix 7: Install pending Windows updates
Windows Update is not normally the source of the optional XInput 1.3 runtime, but pending updates can repair broader component, servicing, or driver problems.
Check for updates
-
Open Start.
-
Select Settings.
-
Select Windows Update.
-
Select Check for updates.
-
Install available updates.
-
Restart Windows when prompted.
-
Return to Windows Update and check again until no further important updates are offered.
Microsoft provides the current Windows Update installation steps.
After updating, install the legacy DirectX runtime if the application still specifically requests xinput1_3.dll. Windows Update and DirectX Setup solve different problems.
Fix 8: Update or reinstall graphics and controller drivers when appropriate
A graphics driver is not the source of xinput1_3.dll, so driver updates are not the primary repair for a missing legacy DirectX runtime. They become relevant when several games or graphics applications fail, the issue began after a driver change, or Device Manager reports a device problem.
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Check Device Manager
-
Right-click the Start button.
-
Select Device Manager.
-
Expand Display adapters.
-
Right-click the graphics adapter.
-
Select Properties.
-
Open the Driver tab.
-
Note the provider and driver date.
-
Select Update Driver.
-
Select Search automatically for drivers.
-
Restart Windows if a driver is installed.
For a controller issue, also expand Human Interface Devices and Xbox Peripherals if those categories are present. Do not replace a working controller driver solely because the game reports xinput1_3.dll.
If the problem started directly after a driver update, open the adapter’s Properties, select the Driver tab, and use Roll Back Driver if Windows makes that button available. Otherwise, obtain the correct driver from the GPU or computer manufacturer.
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Reinstalling a display driver is justified when multiple graphics applications fail, not as the normal response to one missing XInput runtime.
Fix 9: Use System Restore for a clearly timed regression
System Restore can help when the error began immediately after a driver installation, program installation, Windows change, or other identifiable system event.
It is not the first choice for a missing legacy DirectX file. Install the official runtime first unless the timing strongly points to a recent system change.
Run System Restore
-
Press
Win+R. -
Enter:
rstrui.exe
-
Press Enter.
-
Select Next.
-
Choose a restore point from before the problem began.
-
Select Scan for affected programs if available.
-
Review the programs and drivers that may be changed.
-
Confirm the restore point.
-
Allow Windows to restart and complete the operation.
System Restore normally rolls back system files, settings, drivers, and installed programs without removing personal documents. Microsoft’s System Restore instructions explain what to review before confirming.
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Do not use regsvr32 for this DLL
regsvr32 is intended for self-registering OLE, COM, and ActiveX libraries that expose registration entry points such as DllRegisterServer. Microsoft’s Regsvr32 guidance
xinput1_3.dll is an API runtime library, not a COM component that users repair through registration. These commands are not a supported solution:
regsvr32 xinput1_3.dll
regsvr32 /u xinput1_3.dll
They may produce an error about a missing entry point or an invalid module. That result does not mean DirectX needs to be registered. Install or repair the runtime using DXSETUP.exe.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Do not download or copy a lone DLL
Avoid websites that offer an individual xinput1_3.dll download. A lone DLL may:
- Contain malware or unwanted modifications
- Be the wrong architecture
- Be the wrong build for the application
- Be missing related DirectX components
- Leave a bad local copy that overrides the correct system copy
- Hide the actual problem with the game installation
Do not copy a downloaded file into:
C:\Windows\System32
C:\Windows\SysWOW64
Do not place it beside the game executable either. Microsoft’s DirectX deployment guidance says developers should use DirectX Setup instead of simply copying released runtime DLLs. Microsoft’s DirectX redistribution guidance
A game publisher may legitimately install a private copy beside its executable, but that copy should come from the game’s own official installer or repair package. If you already copied a DLL into the game folder, use the launcher’s verify or repair function to replace the application files. Avoid deleting protected Windows files as a first step.
If the error returns after reinstalling DirectX
A recurring error usually points to one of these conditions:
A stale copy is beside the executable
Open the game’s installation folder and look for manually added XInput files. Do not delete files from Windows system directories. Use the launcher’s repair or verification function to restore the application directory to its official state.
The application is 32-bit
A 32-bit game on 64-bit Windows can require the 32-bit legacy runtime. Re-run the official DirectX installer and do not rely on a copy placed in the wrong directory.
DirectX was extracted but not installed
If you used directx_Jun2010_redist.exe, confirm that you ran DXSETUP.exe from the extracted folder. The extractor alone does not install the components.
Antivirus removed the file again
Review Windows Security Protection history and the security software’s quarantine. Verify the game and installer source before restoring anything.
Another dependency is now missing
After xinput1_3.dll is restored, the application may report a different missing DLL. Read the new message carefully. Do not repeatedly install Visual C++ or .NET unless the new error specifically names one of those runtimes.
Only one Windows user profile is affected
Test the same application from another local profile if practical. If it works there, inspect the launcher settings, permissions, per-user application data, and profile-specific security policies. This is a general diagnostic comparison, not a file-specific Microsoft diagnosis.
Check Windows Features only to rule it out
The Turn Windows features on or off panel does not provide a normal checkbox for installing XInput 1.3.
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To confirm:
-
Open Start.
-
Search for Turn Windows features on or off.
-
Open the result.
-
Review the available Windows components.
-
Close the window without enabling unrelated features.
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Do not enable random legacy components in an attempt to install xinput1_3.dll. Use Microsoft’s DirectX End-User Runtime instead.
Prevention after the repair
Once the application works:
- Keep the official DirectX installer with the game’s documentation if you administer several computers.
- Let the game’s own prerequisite installer run during deployment.
- Use the launcher’s verify function after moving, restoring, or modifying a game.
- Keep Windows and hardware drivers current.
- Leave antivirus protection enabled.
- Do not replace a working runtime with a DLL from an unofficial source.
- Record whether the failing application is 32-bit or 64-bit when supporting multiple PCs.
- Keep the DirectX setup logs if the installation was difficult to complete.
When deploying an older game to multiple computers, install the game’s official prerequisites as part of the same repeatable process. Microsoft specifically recommends that game installers provide the required DirectX redistributable even when a newer DirectX version is already installed.
Diagnostic checklist for unresolved cases
If the error remains, collect these details before contacting the game publisher:
-
The exact error text, including capitalization and any status code.
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The name and version of the affected game or application.
-
Whether the failure affects one program or multiple older DirectX programs.
-
Whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit.
-
Whether the failing application is 32-bit or 64-bit, if known.
-
Whether
dxwebsetup.execompleted successfully. -
Whether you ran
DXSETUP.exefrom the June 2010 package.Free tools Windows power users keep installed
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Whether the game launcher verification completed and what it reported.
-
Whether Windows Security or another antivirus product quarantined a related file.
-
The contents of:
C:\Windows\DXError.log
C:\Windows\DirectX.log
-
A saved DxDiag report.
-
The graphics adapter model and current driver status.
Do not send a random DLL as the proposed solution. Tell the publisher which official runtime was installed, whether the game is 32-bit or 64-bit, and whether a private copy exists in the game directory.
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Is xinput1_3.dll part of DirectX 12?
No. It belongs to the legacy XInput 1.3 runtime distributed through the legacy DirectX End-User Runtime. DirectX 12 being installed does not guarantee that this optional older component is present.
Is xinput1_3.dll a controller driver?
No. It is an API runtime library used by software to communicate with supported input devices. The controller driver is a separate component.
Will installing Visual C++ fix it?
Not normally. Visual C++ supplies different runtime libraries. Install the Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime when the error specifically names xinput1_3.dll.
Will installing .NET fix it?
No. .NET is a separate application framework and is not the source of this DLL.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
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Is XINPUT1_3.DLL the same as XINPUT1_4.DLL?
No. They are different XInput runtime components. Renaming one file to match the other does not make them compatible.
Should I run regsvr32 xinput1_3.dll?
No. This API runtime is not repaired by COM registration. Use DirectX Setup.
Which folder should contain the file?
The correct location depends on the application architecture and Windows architecture. On 64-bit Windows, System32 normally contains 64-bit files and SysWOW64 normally contains 32-bit files. Let the official installer place the correct files.
Can SFC restore xinput1_3.dll?
Do not rely on SFC to install this optional legacy DirectX component. SFC repairs protected Windows components. Install the DirectX runtime separately, then use DISM and SFC for broader Windows corruption.
Why does only one game fail?
That game may have been built against XInput 1.3 while other applications use newer components. Its installation may also be missing a prerequisite or contain a bad local DLL. Verify or reinstall the game after installing the official runtime.
What if the installer itself fails?
Download a fresh Microsoft package, extract the offline package to a short local path, run DXSETUP.exe as administrator, inspect DXError.log and DirectX.log, check antivirus history, and run DISM followed by SFC.
Is it safe to copy the file from another computer?
No. The other computer may have a different architecture, different installation state, or a modified file. Use Microsoft’s DirectX installer or the game’s official repair process.
Do I need to install a newer DirectX version?
No. The objective is to add the legacy side-by-side component required by the application. The June 2010 package is not a newer replacement for DirectX 12 and does not downgrade Windows.
What is the safest first step?
Run Microsoft’s DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer. If it cannot complete, use the full June 2010 package and run DXSETUP.exe after extraction.
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