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The supported fix for a missing or “not found” MSVCP140.dll error is to install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package that matches the architecture of the program reporting the error, downloaded from Microsoft’s own site. Repairing the runtime through the installer is usually the first step, and it does not require copying any DLL file by hand.
What MSVCP140.dll is
MSVCP140.dll is one of the files in the Microsoft C++ runtime library family. Many applications built with Microsoft’s C++ build tools depend on these libraries being present on the computer where they run. When a program cannot find the file, it usually stops at startup and shows a message that a DLL is missing or was not found. In practical terms, that message often indicates that the application cannot locate a runtime file it needs, which is a different thing from proof that the file itself is damaged. Microsoft’s general runtime documentation explains the package relationship; it does not map every MSVCP140.dll message to one specific cause, so the steps below cover the common, supported paths.
Step 1: Identify the program and its architecture
Before you download anything, note the name of the program that shows the error. If you can find out whether that program is 32-bit (x86), 64-bit (x64), or ARM64, write it down. This matters more than the version of Windows you are running. A 64-bit edition of Windows does not by itself mean the affected program is 64-bit; some 64-bit systems run 32-bit programs without any problem. Check the program’s own documentation, its installation folder, or its download page. If the program’s vendor specifies a particular Visual C++ runtime version, follow the vendor’s instruction.
Step 2: Download the matching Microsoft package
Open Microsoft’s Latest Supported Visual C++ Redistributable Downloads page and choose the current v14 package for the architecture you identified. Microsoft’s page states: “The redistributable package architecture must match your app’s target architecture.” The page currently lists three v14 packages:
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| Package | Choose it when | Notes from Microsoft’s page |
|---|---|---|
| x86 | The affected program is built for 32-bit (x86) | The x86 package is a separate download from x64. |
| x64 | The affected program is built for 64-bit (x64) | Microsoft describes this package as containing x64 and ARM64 binaries. |
| ARM64 | The affected program is built for ARM64 devices | Use this package only for ARM64 targets. |
Microsoft’s download links are rolling, so the file you receive may be a newer build than the one listed in any article. Always download from the Microsoft page rather than from a saved copy or a third-party mirror.
Step 3: Install or repair the runtime
Run the downloaded installer and follow its prompts. If the runtime is already present, the installer may offer a repair or modify option instead of a fresh install. Use that option when it appears. If you prefer to repair from Windows settings, open Settings, go to Apps, select the installed Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable entry, choose Modify, and then select the repair option if the dialog offers it. Labels can differ between Windows versions, so use whichever repair option the installer presents.
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Microsoft’s support documentation also includes a repair example for an older Visual C++ 2015 package, accessed through Add or remove programs. That example is tied to a particular SQL Server installation problem (see KB4092997), so treat it as a case-specific note rather than a general routine.
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Step 4: Restart and test
Restart the computer if the installer asks you to, then open the affected program again. If it starts normally, the problem was most likely the missing or inconsistent runtime files, and no further steps are needed.
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If the error remains: check Windows system files
If the program still fails and you also see signs that Windows components are damaged, such as other programs failing with system file errors, Microsoft recommends a broader repair. Microsoft’s System File Checker guidance describes running DISM before SFC. Use these steps in order:
- Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin), or search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
- Type
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealthand press Enter. Wait for the operation to finish. It can take a while and may appear to pause. - After DISM completes, type
sfc /scannowand press Enter. SFC scans protected system files and replaces corrupted files with cached copies. - Restart the computer and test the affected program again.
This sequence repairs Windows system files. It is a fallback for general component damage and is not a guaranteed fix for every application launch error.
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What to avoid
Do not download MSVCP140.dll from a standalone DLL site and copy it into Windows or program folders. Microsoft’s installation troubleshooting guidance states: “Never install a Visual C++ Redistributable installer that wasn’t downloaded from a Microsoft site. Never install a Visual C++ Redistributable installer that Microsoft didn’t sign.” Source: Troubleshoot Visual C++ Redistributable Installation Problems. Unsigned or unofficial DLL files can carry malware, and a copied file can also conflict with the runtime already on your system.
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Microsoft’s latest-supported page says Visual Studio 2017 and later share the v14 runtime files, so apps built with those toolsets can use the latest v14 package. Redistributables for Visual Studio 2013 and earlier remain installed side by side, and installing the v14 package does not remove them. Microsoft’s page also marks the Visual Studio 2015 Redistributable as no longer supported, with October 15, 2025 recorded as its end of support. Do not use an old runtime package as a default fix for MSVCP140.dll; install the current v14 package unless the app vendor specifically requires an older version.
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When to contact the app vendor
If the current Microsoft package and the system file repair do not resolve the error, contact the vendor of the affected application. Microsoft’s troubleshooting guidance points to app-specific documentation for problems of this kind. Include the exact error text, the program’s version, and whether the program is 32-bit or 64-bit. The vendor knows which runtime version and deployment method the program expects.
Keep the same architecture rule in mind when you describe the problem: the runtime that matches the program’s target architecture is the one that counts, not the Windows edition alone.
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