VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing in Windows: how to fix application launch error

Error "VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing" / "VCRUNTIME140.dll отсутствует" occurs when launching a game or program built in Visual Studio, when Windows cannot find the required Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime library.

Most often, the problem is resolved by installing the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (2015–2022).

What the error looks like

Message variants:

• The program can't start because VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing from your computer
• Cannot continue execution of the code because the system could not find VCRUNTIME140.dll
• Sometimes together: MSVCP140.dll is missing, VCRUNTIME140_1.dll is missing

Why it occurs

Main reasons:

• the required version of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package is not installed
• the package is installed but corrupted (update failures, system "cleaning", antivirus)
• the application is 32-bit, but only the x64 package is installed (or vice versa)
• in Windows 7/8.1, the necessary updates for CRT are not installed (less common)

Method 1 (recommended): install Visual C++ Redistributable 2015–2022 (x86 and x64)

1. Close the application that is not launching.
2. Download the official installers for Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (2015–2022):

• vc_redist.x64.exe
• vc_redist.x86.exe

3. Install both packages (this is normal even on x64 Windows).
4. Restart your computer.
5. Launch the program again.

Why it's important to install both: many games/launchers are still 32-bit and require x86 runtime, even on 64-bit Windows.

Method 2: repair the installed Visual C++ package

If the package is already present, but the DLL is "not found" or corrupted:

1. Open: Settings → Apps → Installed Apps
2. Find:

• Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x64)
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (x86)

3. For each: Modify → Repair
4. Restart your PC.

Method 3: check system files (SFC) and restore components (DISM)

Open Windows Terminal / Command Prompt as an administrator and execute:

sfc /scannow

If SFC reports that not everything could be fixed (relevant for Windows 10/11), execute:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Then again:

sfc /scannow

After that — restart.

Method 4: reinstall the application or install "redistributables" from the game folder

Many games/programs have a folder with dependencies, for example:

• _CommonRedist\VC\
• redist\
• vcredist\

Run the Visual C++ installers from this folder or perform a reinstallation of the application.

Important: do not download DLLs from "dll sites"

Downloading the standalone file VCRUNTIME140.dll from third-party sources often leads to:

• incorrect version (x86/x64, 2015 vs 2017/2019/2022)
• new errors appearing (for example, 0xc000007b)
• risk of the file being replaced with malware

The correct way is the official Redistributable.

Quick check: is it a 32-bit or 64-bit application?

If you are not sure which application:

• in Task Manager on the "Details" tab, 32-bit processes may be marked as (32 bit)
• if the application is old/legacy — it is often x86

Practical conclusion: on 64-bit Windows, it is common to install both packages.

Conclusion

The error VCRUNTIME140.dll is missing almost always indicates a problem with the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. The most reliable solution is to install/repair Visual C++ 2015–2022 (x86 and x64), then restart the PC. If that didn't help — check system files (SFC/DISM) and reinstall the application.