The “VCRUNTIME140_1.dll Not Found” error pops up quite a bit for folks using Windows 11 and 10, especially when they’re trying to start up apps like Firefox, Microsoft Office 2016 or 2019, or even games like League of Legends. This VCRUNTIME140_1.dll file is super important for programs made with Visual Studio. If you’re seeing this error, it basically means your computer can’t find this file, and so the software you’re trying to open just won’t start. We’re going to walk through how to fix this problem.
Also see: Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library Error Windows 11/10
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What is VCRUNTIME140_1.dll?
The VCRUNTIME140_1.dll is a kind of file called a DLL (Dynamic Link Libraries) that’s tied to Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017, and 2019. These libraries are what let apps made with Visual C++ run.
When an app needs VCRUNTIME140_1.dll, Windows looks in its own folders to find it. If it can’t or if the file’s broken, you’ll see the “VCRUNTIME140_1.dll was not found” error. This stops the app from working right and can show up in different ways like:
- “VCRUNTIME140_1.dll is missing”
- “The program can’t start because VCRUNTIME140_1.dll is missing from your computer.”
- “The code execution cannot proceed because VCRUNTIME140_1.dll was not found. Reinstalling the program may fix this problem.”
Useful tip: How to Know Which Process is Using a File in Windows 11
Common times you might see the “VCRUNTIME140_1.dll Not Found” error
This error usually means you can’t open the affected app. It can happen with different software, like Firefox, Microsoft Office 2016, and even some games like League of Legends. How this error messes things up can depend on the software. For example:
- Firefox: If the DLL file is missing, the browser won’t open at all, and you’ll see the error message saying VCRUNTIME140_1.dll is missing.
- Microsoft Office 2016 or 2019: Without the DLL file, apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint might not work.
- League of Legends and other games: Games might not start up and give you the “VCRUNTIME140_1.dll was not found” error. Often, just reinstalling the game doesn’t fix it.
Related issue: “File not found or no read permission” in Windows 11
How to reinstall Visual C++ Redistributable Packages
A good way to fix this is by getting the Visual C++ Redistributable packages again. You can grab the latest versions (2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022) right from Microsoft’s website. Here’s the drill:
- Head over to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable download page.
- There, you’ll see a bunch of links for different versions. Pick the right one for your computer:
- ARM64: Got an ARM64 system? Choose the ARM64 version.
- x86: On a 32-bit system? Grab the x86 version.
- x64: Running a 64-bit system? You’ll want the x64 version. This package has what you need for both ARM64 and x64 systems, so it’s a good pick if you’re on an ARM64 device.
Learn more: How to Know If Windows 11/10 is 64-bit, 32-bit or ARM
Note: If you’re using Windows 11, it’s all X64 architecture, so pick the X64 version. On Windows 10, you can see your system type by right-clicking “This PC” and hitting “Properties”. You’ll find your system type under “System”.
- After clicking the right link, the download will start up by itself. Once it’s done, open the .exe file and follow the steps to put the package in place.
By putting these packages back on your computer, you’re making sure you have the latest C++ stuff, which means better security, reliability, and how well things run. This move can help bring back the missing VCRUNTIME140_1.dll file, letting your apps work right again.
Copying the VCRUNTIME140_1.dll file yourself
If putting the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages back doesn’t help, or if running the SFC tool doesn’t do the trick, you might try copying the “vcruntime140_1.dll” file by hand. Here’s how you can do it using Firefox as an example:
- Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
- Go to where an app that has the VCRUNTIME140_1.dll is. For example,
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\EdgeCore\114.0.1823.58. You might also find it inC:\Windows\System32.
- Find the “vcruntime140_1.dll” file, right-click it, and pick “Copy”.
- Go to the folder for the app that’s not working. For our example, this is the Firefox folder at
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox. Right-click in the folder and choose “Paste”.
This method puts the “vcruntime140_1.dll” file where it’s needed, hopefully fixing the app. After doing this, try opening the app again to see if it works.
Note: The directory we mentioned is just an example. Where you find the “vcruntime140_1.dll” file can change based on what’s on your computer and what apps you have installed.
Using System File Checker (SFC)
Another way to fix the “VCRUNTIME140_1.dll Not Found” error is by using the System File Checker (SFC) tool. This tool checks your system files for problems and fixes them. Here’s how to use it:
- Hit Windows + X and choose “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”.
- Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. SFC will check all system files and replace bad ones with good copies from a backup folder at
%WinDir%\System32\dllcache.
This might take a while, so don’t turn off your computer while it’s working. When it’s done, restart your computer and see if the problem is still there.
Where to find the VCRUNTIME140_1.dll file
If you want to check if the VCRUNTIME140_1.dll file is on your computer, you can search for it. Press Windows + S, type “VCRUNTIME140_1.dll”, and hit Enter. If it’s there, it’ll show up in the search.
Usually, if you’ve installed the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages right, you’ll find the VCRUNTIME140_1.dll file in the c:\windows\system32 folder. But, it could also be in the folder of the app or game that needs it. The place to look can change depending on your computer and what you’ve got installed. Make sure to check both the system32 folder and the folder for the app or game that’s having problem.
So, what have we learned?
DLL files, like VCRUNTIME140_1.dll, are behind-the-scenes heroes that help our apps run smoothly. But when they go missing or get messed up, apps can stop working, kind of like trying to read a book with pages missing. The VCRUNTIME140_1.dll file is really important for any app that relies on it.
It’s in fact pretty common to run into problems with missing DLL files. Whether you reinstall the Visual C++ Redistributable Packages, use the SFC tool, or copy the DLL file over yourself, it’s important to follow only the safe methods. Just be careful that getting DLL files from shady websites can put your computer at risk. Stick to official sources when downloading any DLL files.
