How to Fix “MSVCP140.dll Was Not Found” on Windows 10

If Windows 10 shows “The code execution cannot proceed because MSVCP140.dll was not found”, the affected program usually cannot load the Microsoft Visual C++ runtime it was built to use. The safest fix is to install or repair the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, then repair or reinstall the app if needed. Do not download a loose copy of MSVCP140.dll from a third-party DLL site.

1. Install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

MSVCP140.dll is part of Microsoft’s Visual C++ runtime. Microsoft currently recommends the latest supported Visual C++ v14 Redistributable for apps built with Visual Studio 2017, 2019, 2022, or 2026. The Redistributable installed on the PC must be at least as recent as the build tools used to create the app.

1. Open Microsoft’s official Visual C++ Redistributable download page.
2. Download the package that matches the app’s architecture. Microsoft provides current x64 and x86 installers.
3. Run the installer. If it offers Install, install it. If it offers Repair, choose Repair.
4. Restart Windows, then launch the affected program again.

On a 64-bit Windows 10 PC, an older or 32-bit application can still require the x86 runtime. If you do not know whether the app is 32-bit or 64-bit, installing both Microsoft’s x64 and x86 packages is a practical way to cover both app architectures.

2. Repair the installed Visual C++ packages

If the error started after an app update, crash, interrupted installation, or cleanup operation, the runtime may already be present but damaged. Windows 10 still exposes installed desktop programs through Settings > Apps > Apps & features and through Control Panel.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Find the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable entries. If both x64 and x86 are installed, repair the package that matches the affected app; if the app architecture is unclear, repair both.
3. Select the entry, choose Modify, and use Repair when the installer offers it.
4. Restart the PC and test the program.

Microsoft also documents repair options for desktop programs in its Windows app and program repair guide.

3. Repair or reinstall the app that shows the error

If the Visual C++ runtime is healthy but only one program fails, the program’s own installation may be incomplete or corrupt. First use the app’s built-in repair option if one is available. Otherwise, uninstall the app, restart Windows, and reinstall the latest supported build from the software publisher’s official site or store.

Pay attention to which executable triggers the error. If the message appears only when opening one plugin, launcher, or helper process, repairing the entire Windows installation is usually unnecessary.

4. Run DISM and SFC if several apps are failing

If multiple programs suddenly report missing DLLs or Windows itself is behaving abnormally, check the Windows component store and protected system files. Microsoft recommends running DISM before System File Checker.

1. Search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
2. Run this command and let it finish:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Then run:

sfc /scannow

Do not close the window until the SFC verification reaches 100%. Microsoft explains the process and possible results in its System File Checker repair guide.

What not to do

• Do not download MSVCP140.dll from random DLL websites. You cannot verify that the file is current, compatible, or safe, and copying one DLL does not reliably repair the rest of the runtime.
• Do not use regsvr32 as the normal fix for MSVCP140.dll. Regsvr32 is for DLL components designed to register themselves with Windows. MSVCP140.dll is supplied as part of the Visual C++ runtime, so repairing or reinstalling the Redistributable is the appropriate route.
• Do not delete other Visual C++ Redistributables just because they look old. Different applications can depend on different runtime families and architectures.

A note about Windows 10 support

Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. The troubleshooting steps above still apply to Windows 10, but Microsoft no longer provides normal free security updates or technical support for the operating system. If you continue using Windows 10, review Microsoft’s Windows 10 end-of-support guidance and your available upgrade or Extended Security Updates options.