How to Fix D3dcompiler_43.dll Not Found or Missing Errors

If restarting your PC doesn't fix the error, install DirectX and then reinstall the program or game

D3dcompiler_43.dll issues are caused in one way or another by an issue with Microsoft DirectX.

The d3dcompiler_43.dll file is one of many files contained in the DirectX software collection. Since DirectX is utilized by most Windows based games and advanced graphics programs, errors related to this file usually show up only when using these programs.

Any of Microsoft's operating systems since Windows 98 may be affected by d3dcompiler_43.dll and other DirectX issues. This includes Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, etc.

D3dcompiler_43.dll Errors

Screenshot of a D3dcompiler_43.dll error message

There are many ways d3dcompiler_43.dll errors can show up on your PC, but these are some of the more common specific messages I've seen over the years:

  • D3dcompiler_43.DLL Not Found
  • The file d3dcompiler_43.dll is missing
  • File d3dcompiler_43.dll not found
  • D3dcompiler_43.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this

The error might show when the game or software program is started or at some point during installation when DirectX components might be trying to update.

It could apply to any program that utilizes Microsoft DirectX, like AutoDesk 3ds Max, MonoGame, and others, but it's most often associated with video games. A few games known to throw this specific error message include Grand Theft Auto, Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, Sniper: Ghost Shooter, Far Cry Primal, Battlefield, Need for Speed, MechWarrior Online (MWO), and The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind.

How to Fix D3dcompiler_43.dll Errors

Follow these steps in the order I've listed them below to try the simpler solutions first.

Do not download the d3dcompiler_43 DLL file individually from any "DLL download site". There are several reasons why downloading DLLs that way is rarely a good idea. If you've already done so, remove it immediately and continue with these steps.

  1. Restart your computer if you haven't yet. The d3dcompiler_43.dll error might be a fluke, and since restarting is a common fix for lots of computer problems, it could clear up this DLL error completely.

  2. Install the latest version of Microsoft DirectX. Chances are, upgrading to the latest version will fix the error "d3dcompiler_43.dll not found," but if not, try DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) instead.

    Microsoft often releases updates to DirectX without updating the version number or letter, so be sure to install the latest release even if your version is technically the same.

  3. Assuming the latest DirectX version from Microsoft doesn't fix the error you're receiving, look for a DirectX program on your game or application DVD or CD.

    Usually, if a game or ​another program utilizes DirectX, the software developers will include a copy of it on the disc. Sometimes, though not often, the version included on the disc is a better fit for the program than the latest version available online.

  4. Reinstall the game or software program. Something might have happened to the files in the program that work with d3dcompiler_43.dll, and a reinstall could do the trick.

    If this doesn't work, it's possible that not all the program files were actually deleted, or that some registry entries related to the DLL file remained, and that's what's causing the error even after reinstalling the software. Try again with a free uninstaller tool and see if that doesn't do the job.

  5. Restore d3dcompiler_43.dll from the latest DirectX software package. If the above troubleshooting steps haven't worked to solve your error, try extracting the DLL file individually from the DirectX downloadable package.

  6. Update the drivers for your video card. While it's not the most common solution, in some situations, updating the drivers for the video card in your computer could correct this DirectX issue.

Need More Help?

If you don't want to fix this problem yourself, see How Do I Get My Computer Fixed? for a full list of your support options, plus help with everything along the way like figuring out repair costs, getting your files off, choosing a repair service, and a lot more.

Was this page helpful?