XINPUT1_3.dll is missing in Windows: how to fix the game or program launch error

Ошибка вида:

• “The program can’t start because XINPUT1_3.dll is missing from your computer.”
• “The program cannot start because XINPUT1_3.dll is missing from your computer.”
• “XINPUT1_3.dll not found”

means that the application is missing the XInput 1.3 library — a component of the old DirectX suite (most often DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010)). This is a common issue when launching old games on Windows 10/11.

Important: do not confuse XINPUT1_3.dll with XInput 1.4. Windows 10/11 includes XInput 1.4, but some games strictly require 1.3.

Why the error occurs

Main reasons:

1. Additional DirectX libraries (June 2010) are not installed
   Windows 10/11 comes with modern DirectX, but does not include all the old “optional” DLLs required by games from 2007–2015.
2. Reinstallation/light versions of Windows
   In “builds” and after aggressive “optimization,” components may have been removed.
3. Antivirus/defender deleted the DLL
   Sometimes the DLL ends up in quarantine (especially if the game is modified).
4. Corrupted game files or incorrect installation
   Especially common — after moving the game folder, installing mods, or “repackaging.”

How to fix it (correct method #1): install DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010)

This is the most reliable and safe method.

Steps

1. Download DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) from the official Microsoft website.
   The file is usually named directx_Jun2010_redist.exe.
2. Run the file, accept the agreement and extract the contents to a separate folder (for example, C:\DXTEMP).
3. Open the extracted folder and run:

• DXSETUP.exe → Run as administrator

4. Wait for the installation to complete and restart your PC.

After this, XINPUT1_3.dll and other dependencies (for example, D3DX9_43.dll) will be installed correctly.

What not to do: download DLLs from “DLL sites”

Downloading the “single file” XINPUT1_3.dll from the internet and copying it to System32/SysWOW64 is a common cause of:

• system infection,
• version incompatibility,
• new errors appearing (for example, “Bad Image,” “Entry point not found”).

If a game requires XINPUT1_3.dll, it usually needs a set of DirectX libraries, not just one DLL.

Method #2: use the DirectX installer inside the game folder (Steam/Epic/distribution)

Many games contain the necessary components in the folder:

• ...\_CommonRedist\DirectX\Jun2010\DXSETUP.exe
• or ...\Redist\DirectX\DXSETUP.exe

Run DXSETUP.exe as administrator and restart your PC.

Method #3: verify the integrity of game files and disable mods

Steam

1. Library → Right-click on the game → Properties
2. Installed Files → Verify Integrity

Epic Games Launcher

Game → Manage → Verify

Also:

• temporarily remove mods,
• disable overlays (ReShade, third-party hooks),
• check if the antivirus is blocking game files.

Method #4: restore system files (SFC/DISM)

If the problem occurs in different games or the system “broke” after updates/tweaks:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Execute:

sfc /scannow

3. Then (on Windows 10/11):

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart your PC.

Common additional causes and solutions

1) 32-bit game on 64-bit Windows

This is normal, but it needs 32-bit DirectX components. The June 2010 package installs both 32-bit and 64-bit libraries — so it’s important to install the full redistributable via DXSETUP.

2) “Bad Image” error for XINPUT1_3.dll

Often means:

• corrupted file,
• replaced DLL,
• version conflict.

Solution: reinstall DirectX June 2010 and check the system with SFC/DISM.

3) Error appeared after “cleaning” System32/SysWOW64 folders

Do not delete DLLs manually. Restore components via the DirectX installer and system recovery.

How to know the problem is resolved

• The game/application starts without a message about XINPUT1_3.dll.
• There are XInput files in the folder C:\Windows\System32\ and/or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ (the set depends on the system and installed components).
• There are no new DLL loading errors for this application in the “Windows Event Log.”

If it still doesn’t start: what to provide for diagnostics

To accurately determine the cause, it’s helpful to collect:

• the exact error text (screenshot),
• Windows version (10/11, build),
• where the game is installed (Steam/Epic/repack),
• game architecture (if known),
• log/error from Event Viewer:
  Windows Logs → Application → Error (by .exe name)

Conclusion

XINPUT1_3.dll is missing — almost always a sign that the DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) package is not installed, which is needed for old games. The most correct way is to install the official DirectX redistributable via DXSETUP.exe, rather than downloading separate DLLs from dubious sites.