Ddrawex.dll Not Found Error Resolution

Steps to Resolve the Ddrawex.dll Not Found Error Message

Ddrawex.dll Error Messages

There are several ways that ddrawex.dll errors can show up on your computer. Several of the more common specific ddrawex.dll error messages are listed below:

• "The file ddrawex.dll is missing"
  
  
• "Ddrawex.DLL Not Found"
  
  
• "File ddrawex.dll not found"
  
  
• "Ddrawex.dll not found. Reinstalling might help fix this."

Ddrawex.dll errors usually appear when a game or other software program is started.

Cause of Ddrawex.dll Errors

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

The ddrawex.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, ddrawex.dll errors usually show up only when using these programs.

Resolution

Important Note: Do not download the ddrawex.dll DLL file individually from any "DLL download site." There are a number of excellent reasons that downloading DLLs from these sites are never a good idea.

Note: If you've already downloaded ddrawex.dll from one of those DLL download sites, remove it from wherever you put it and continue with these steps.

1. Restart your computer if you haven't yet.
   
   The ddrawex.dll error might be a fluke and a simple restart could clear it up completely.
   
   
2. Install the latest version of Microsoft DirectX. Chances are, upgrading to the latest version of DirectX will fix the ddrawex.dll not found error.
   
   Note: 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.
   
   Note: The latest version of DirectX should be installed no matter if you're running Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP. The installation may include DirectX10 and DirectX9 files but they run side-by-side without problem on all of these operating systems.
   
   
3. Assuming the latest DirectX version from Microsoft doesn't fix the ddrawex.dll error you're receiving, look for a DirectX installation program on your game or application CD or DVD. Usually, if a game or other program utilizes DirectX, the software developers will include a copy of DirectX on the installation disc.
   
   Sometimes, though not often, the DirectX version included on the disc is a better fit for the program than the latest version available online.
   
   
4. Uninstall the game or software program and then reinstall it again. Something might have happened to the program files that work with ddrawex.dll and a reinstall could do the trick.
   
   
5. Restore the ddrawex.dll file from the latest DirectX software package. If the above troubleshooting steps haven't worked to solve your ddrawex.dll error, try extracting the ddrawex.dll 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.

Applies To

The ddrawex.dll error message could apply to any program that utilizes Microsoft DirectX, most commonly video games.

Any of Microsoft's operating systems since Windows 98 may be effected by ddrawex.dll and other DirectX issues. This includes Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.

Still Having Ddrawex.dll Issues?

Let a community of computer support enthusiasts help out! Post the details of your problem in the PC Support Forum. Be sure to let us know the exact ddrawex.dll error message that you're receiving and what steps, if any, you've already taken to resolve it.