How to Fix Binkw32.dll Is Missing Errors

Binkw32.dll errors are caused by issues that the particular game you're trying to install or play is having with the Bink Video codec created by Epic Games Tools (i.e., RAD Game Tools).

Most of the time, the "procedure entry point" errors involving binkw32.dll are due to running "cracked" versions of games. You may see this error when trying to run a game without the original CD or DVD, something commonly done with illegally downloaded games.

Many popular PC games use the Bink Video codec. Your game may use the codec (and thus the binkw32 DLL file) even if you've never installed anything from RAD Game Tools.

Binkw32.dll Errors

There are many ways that the error might show up on your computer. Most of the time, it's telling you that you're missing the DLL file.

Below are some of the more common variations of the error:

• Missing BINKW32.DLL
• Binkw32.dll Not Found
• This application failed to start because BINKW32.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.
• Cannot find binkw32.dll!
• An attempt to delay-load a .dll or get a function address in a delay-loaded .dll failed. Dll: binkw32.dll
• This program can't start because binkw32.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem

Even after replacing the binkw32.dll file, some users will receive one of these related errors or another like it:

• The procedure entry point _BinkSetVolume@12 could not be located in the dynamic link library binkw32.dll.
• The procedure entry point _BinkSetMemory@8 could not be located in the dynamic link library binkw32.dll.

The error message could apply to any PC video game that utilizes the Bink Video codec.

Some common games that may generate these errors include Age of Conan, Dungeon Lords, Civilization III, Demon Stone, Battlefield 2142, Battlefield 1942, Age of Empires III, Dungeon Siege II, World in Conflict, Sid Meier's Pirates!, Broken Sword 4, Ragnarok, BioShock, Battlefield Vietnam, Empire Earth II, DarkRO, Hitman: Blood Money, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and Star Wars: Battlefront II, Tomb Raider: Legend.

How to Fix Binkw32.dll Errors

Follow these steps in the order they're given below to try the simpler solutions first.

1. Close and reopen the game program that generated the binkw32.dll error. Whatever game you're playing may be having a temporary problem that a restart might fix.

2. Download and install the RAD Video Tools to possibly replace the missing or corrupt file.

   The download comes in the form of a 7Z file, so you'll need 7-Zip on your computer to open it. There's also a password listed on the download page that you'll need when opening it.

3. Reinstall the game. Since the error involves a video codec that should have been included inside your game installation, reinstalling the entire game is likely to resolve the problem.

   Even if you're not asked, be sure to restart your computer after the uninstall and before the reinstall. Restarting your computer at this point will ensure that any loaded files are cleared from memory and that the uninstallation is 100 percent complete.

4. Download the latest update to the game. Visit the game designer's website and download the latest service pack, patch, or another update for your particular game.

   In many cases, even with some instances of the "procedure entry point _BinkSetVolume@12" and related errors, the binkw32.dll error may have been corrected in a game update.

5. Copy the binkw32.dll file from your game's System directory to your game's root directory. In some games, the file is placed in the wrong directory when the game is installed.

   For example, if your game is installed in C:\Program Files\Game, copy the file from C:\Program Files\Game\System folder to the game's root folder at C:\Program Files\Game.

6. Copy the binkw32.dll file to your Windows System directory. Some people experiencing these errors have fixed this problem by copying the binkw32.dll file from its location in the game's installation folder to the C:\Windows\System folder.

7. Copy the binkw32.dll file from the game's disc to the program's installation folder. If you can't find the DLL file from the game's System folder or the Windows System folder, or copying that DLL didn't work, the next best place to get it is from the original CD.

   For example, if the error presents itself while playing Age of Empires III, open the disc from File Explorer and find the Disk1C~1.cab file. Open that CAB file and copy the binkw32.dll file from there to the game's installation folder, which in this case is probably C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III.

   In most cases, you want to copy the DLL file to whatever folder has the game's primary application file, usually an EXE file that's used to start the game each time it's opened from a shortcut. You can find this folder by right-clicking a shortcut to the game (usually on the Desktop) and choosing the option to open the file's location.

8. Is the game pirated? In most cases, the "procedure entry point _BinkSetVolume@12" and related errors only appear when running an illegal version of a game. If this is the case, our only recommendation here is to purchase the game and try again.

9. Upgrade your video card. It's a less common reason, but in some cases, the "procedure entry point _BinkSetVolume@12" error and others like it are caused by running a game on a computer system with an inferior video card. Upgrading the card to one with more memory and processing power could resolve the problem.

   Visit the game designer's website and find out what the minimum video card requirements are for the game you're trying to play. You'll want to make sure you're buying a powerful enough card to play the game.